Where to meet?
Meeting spot is the William H. Seward Yacht Club, just hang out outside the building and we’ll be up to greet you. It is located just to the south of Chinooks Restaurant and near the Porthole food truck. It’s a great place to grab breakfast and a coffee, but they are typically very busy and can be slow, so if you plan to get breakfast, get there and order by at least 45 minutes early.
What time to meet?
Please get to the Yacht Club 15 minutes before your departure time, ready to walk down to the boat! So for 8am trips, be ready by 7:45.
Where should I park?
There are a few pay to park lots in the harbor area. They are on google maps.
The closest is the “North Harbor Parking Lot,” across from the Harbor 360 hotel and J-dock. (One minute walk to the Yacht Club meeting spot.
Another lot close by is the “South Harbor Parking Lot,” just south of Subway and across the street from the Kenai Fjords National Park Visitor Center. (Five minute walk to the Yacht Club meeting spot)
Directly across the street towards the water is the “South Harbor Launch Lot.” It is located just to the south of the boat ramp and Visitor Center. (Five minute walk to the Yacht club meeting spot)
Is there a restroom on the boat?
Yes! There is a small marine toilet or “head” on the boat. We also have a freshwater sink for handwashing as well as hand sanitizer.
It is, however, a good idea to take care of morning bathroom business before getting on a boat all day, if you know what I mean…
There is a bathroom at the Harbor Master’s Office, but it is a few minutes walk from our meetup spot, so it’s suggested to use the bathroom before driving to the harbor.
Is lunch provided?
Our full day trips have a catered lunch made in-house by craft deli spot and wine bar, Primrose Provisions:
Look this over before booking as you’ll select your sandwich when you make your reservation.
1. Italian Job: three types of pork salami, provolone, giardiniera and olive spread
2. Jammin’ Ham: honey whipped chevre spread, sweet and spicy jam, mixed greens, thinly sliced applewood smoked ham
3. Turkey Pesto: pesto, Turkey, tomatoes, and roasted red peppers
4. Caprese Sandwich (vegetarian): pesto aioli, fresh basil, fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and balsamic glaze
5. Curry Chickpea (vegan): curried chickpea salad, mixed greens, tomatoes
*All sandwiches also come with chips.
**Gluten Free bread is available, just add it to the notes.
Note: The ham, turkey, or italian sandwiches can be made more simply like just meat and cheese or without a certain ingredient. Just make sure to explain clearly in the space provided when making your reservation.
What about drinks or snacks?
Coffee and tea are provided for our trips departing in the morning. Water and some sodas are available on all trips. We try to reduce single use plastic, so please bring a reusable water bottle and you can fill it up on the boat.
We also have some paper coffee cups if needed.
We’ll have a few simple snacks like granola bars or chips, but you are more than welcome to bring your own snacks if you’d like!
BYOB is fine, just NO GLASS.
Can I smoke on the boat?
No smoking, no vaping. Smoking is a bother to others, even when you step outside to do it. We may make an exception for private tours.
***Marijuana is not allowed at all. Even though marijuana is recreationally legal in Alaska, it is not legal on any boats. The United States Coast Guard is the law out on the water and they police over federal laws.
Should I tip my captain?
It really makes your captain’s day!
This role is a hospitality/service industry job, much like servers in a restaurant. Instead of serving you up fish and chips over an hour long meal, we’re serving up glaciers, whales, and wildlife for several hours and trying our hardest to make sure you have the best experience possible!
Can I bring my dog or pet on the boat?
No. We’re dog lovers ourselves, but we do not allow any dogs or other pets aboard. ADA service animals are permitted.
What’s the difference between the 3 hour Resurrection Bay tour and the longer 7 or 8.5 hour Kenai Fjords tours?
The main difference is the longer tours go to see a tidewater glacier calving (breaking ice off) into the water while the 3 hour tour does not. All tours will see lots of wildlife and seek out whales. The longer tours can have better wildlife/whale viewing because they are on the water longer and cover a larger area, although there are many days where the best wildlife/whale action is in Resurrection Bay!
What’s the weather like?
Variable! Seward is in temperate rainforest, so it’s very common to be overcast, misty, or rainy, but could also be blue bird and sunny! Even during summer, temps can get pretty chilly, especially out by the glaciers.
Our boat has a comfortable, heated cabin, but you will be out in the elements to get a good look at the wildlife!
What should I wear?
A decent rain jacket and warm layers are going to set you up for success for your whole Alaska trip. Waterproof shoes are also very nice to have. Many guests like wearing a puffy jacket, hat, and gloves while viewing the glacier. Rain pants are nice to have but lots of folks get away without them.
Cancellation Policy
As most boat tour reservations are made well in advance, short notice cancellations leave empty seats, which are unlikely to be filled, at a great detriment to our small business with a very limited season. Please consider the following cancellation policy when booking.
- Full Refund: If you cancel 14+ days before your trip.
- 50% Refund: If you cancel less than 14 days but more than 5 days before your trip.
- No Refund: If you cancel less than 5 days before your trip. Last minute bookings are rare in our business and your seats are not likely to be booked with such short notice.
Sometimes, Mother Nature or mechanical issues may keep us tied to the dock. High winds or heavy seas can make conditions unsafe, and our top priority is always your safety and enjoyment. If we determine that it’s not safe to leave the harbor, you’ll receive a full refund. Weather in Alaska can change quickly, but we typically have a solid forecast a day or two in advance. If we see a storms abrewin’, we’ll reach out as early as possible to keep you in the loop.
There are also rare days when reaching the glaciers in Aialik Bay just isn’t feasible due to rough offshore conditions. When that happens, the protected waters of Resurrection Bay often remain calm, beautiful, and packed with wildlife. In those cases, you’ll have the option to switch your full-day trip to a 3.5-hour Resurrection Bay Tour and receive a refund for the price difference. Your experience matters to us, and we’ll always work with you to make the most of your day on the water.
