Seward, Alaska

Holgate Glacier Cruise Tour, Kenai Fjords Tours

Seward, Alaska - Cruise Port

Seward is one of Alaska’s oldest and most scenic communities, situated at the head of Resurrection Bay on the Kenai Peninsula. Known as the ‘Gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park’ Seward is a picturesque town located 126 miles south of Anchorage.

Visitors enjoy Seward’s bustling harbor and historic downtown district filled with quaint shops and art galleries.

Seward was designated an All-American City in 2005 in recognition of its outstanding community spirit.

Mount Marathon towers over Seward at an elevation of about 1,000 meters. The Harding Icefield stretches beyond Mount Marathon, from which many glaciers flow, eight of which are tidewater glaciers, calving icebergs into the sea.

Cruise Tours, Glaciers and Wildlife - Seward, Alaska

Day cruise tours out of Seward are very popular. Half and full day cruise tours are available with several tour operators. Shorter cruise tours stay in the Resurrection Bay area and Bear Glacier is a scenic highlight as well as wildlife such as sea otters, sea lions, and eagles. Full day cruises sail to the rugged fjords of Kenai Fjords National Park. Holgate and Aialik Glaciers are popular tidewater glaciers to visit. Longer cruises visit Northwestern Fjord to view Northwestern Glacier and several other tidewater glaciers as well as wildlife viewing areas. Humpback whales and orca are often visible in the area, while sea otters and sea lions are commonplace.

Exit Glacier, Alaska

Exit Glacier

Exit Glacier is one of the most accessible glacier in Alaska, located right by Exit Glacier Road outside of Seward. A short easy hike leads to great views of the glacier, while a short hike uphill leads right to the side face of the glacier itself. For safety reasons, visitors are supposed to stay a short distance from the glacier itself to avoid falling ice. There is a visitor center with nice exhibits, displays, and gifts as well as a parking area. There are many trails in the area for short hikes, and one trail leads up into the mountains to the Harding Icefield. 

Port of Seward, Alaska

Seward is one of America’s top ports, serving major cruise lines, local cruise operators, charter boats, fishing fleets, and small boats. Seward ranks in the top 15 in the USA as a port of departure for multi-day cruises, which sail from Seward to Prince William Sound, Glacier Bay and Alaska’s Inside Passage. Seward is ranked in the top 10 as a commercial fishing port in the USA, with about $50 million dollars of fish and shellfish passing through.

Visitors can easily reach Seward via the Seward Highway , the Alaska Railroad, or by bus, air, or cruise ship.

Access: By road via the Seward Highway, rail from Fairbanks and Anchorage, scheduled bus service from Anchorage, Alaska state ferry, all classes of cruise vessels.

Location: Seward is situated on Resurrection Bay on the east coast of the Kenai Peninsula, 125 highway miles south of Anchorage. It lies at the foot of Mount Marathon and is the gateway to the Kenai Fjords National Park.

Population: 2,606.

Accommodations: 11 hotels/motels, 37 bed and breakfasts, 25 lodges/cabins, 20 restaurants/cafes, all services.

External Link: www.Seward.com official website of the Seward Chamber of Commerce.