7-day Alaska sea kayaking trip, sea kayaking in Seward Alaska's Kenai Fjords National Park's Aialik Bay, one of Alaska's most diverse sea kayaking destination. Seward sea kayak trip departing Anchorage, Alaska includes whale watching and tide water glaciers.

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Alaska Cruises Aialik Bay (pronounced eye-Al-ick) - Kenai Fjords National Park
7-Day Kenai Fjords Sea Kayaking Package Departing From Anchorage
A BACKCOUNTRY SAFARIS EXCLUSIVE, COMPARE: Choose to paddle a "single kayak". Includes dry suits to keep you warm and dry. Includes the pre- and post-trip transportation to Seward from Anchorage, Alaska and the lodging in Seward before and after the kayaking trip.

Glaciers
Wildlife Viewing
Marine Wildlife
Icebergs
Scenic Camps
Scenic Views
Birding
Whales
Take a look at our Aialik Bay Photo Album and see how amazing it is.
Our most popular multi-day wilderness camping Alaska sea kayaking adventure.

Aialik Bay is a sea kayaking paradise, famous for calving glaciers and abundant wildlife.

Located in Kenai Fjords National Park, a visit to Aialik bay offers 3 tidewater glaciers. You'll witness the awesome power of calving glaciers, kayak among icebergs trapped in a lagoon, sea kayak through rock arches, and see waterfalls cascading down sheer granite walls.

Wildlife often seen include, Orca whales, humpback whales, harbor seals, sea otters, black bears, mountain goats, bald eagles, the endangered Steller sea lion, and a variety of marine birds, including puffins.

This is an all inclusive package that includes transportation from Anchorage to Seward, Alaska, the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park and the pre- and post-trip lodging in Seward. On request we can also include lodging in Anchorage, Alaska your arrival destinations to Alaska. With most air flights arriving in Anchorage, Alaska this package departs from Anchorage and simplifies your travel planning. With other Alaska sea kayaking adventures you're left on your own to figure out how to get from Anchorage to the sea kayaking trip departure locations and that added expense.

This Aialik Bay Kenai Fjords National Park 7-day sea kayaking camping adventure provides a complete tour package; transportation to and from Seward, pre- and post-trip lodging in Seward, and combined with of our 5-day Aialik Bay sea kayaking wilderness camping trip. 5 days kayaking gives you time to gain an intimate understanding of this magical place. We think this is the single best overall sea kayaking camping adventure we offer.

Compare The Differences
You'll see why Backcountry Safaris is your best choice.

  • Dry Suit - We supply dry suits to keep you warm, dry, and help protect you from hypothermia in Alaska's cold waters. Other Seward sea kayaking outfitters provide (or rent at extra cost) rain gear and rubber boots that offer little protection. Another advantage to dry suits is that if the weather turns wet, they add warmth and a comfort level you would not think possible in this maritime environment.
  • Single Kayaks - We provide an option to paddle your own single-person kayak. Most other outfitters use only two-person kayaks. Please inquire.
  • Anchorage Departure - Transportation to Seward by the Alaska Railroad and motor coach back to Anchorage.
  • Seward Lodging - Pre- and post-trip hotel lodging in Seward is included in your custom tour package. Optional hostel lodging is available for budget-minded guests.
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OVERVIEW
Tour Type: Sea Kayaking, Wildlife Viewing, Camping, Alaska Railroad
Difficulty: Moderate
Comfort: Hotel, Tent Camping
Prior Experience: None

Seward transportation and lodging is combined with of our 5-day Aialik Bay sea kayaking camping adventure to give you a complete sea kayaking tour package departing from Anchorage.

This 7-day Seward sea kayaking adventure includes 5 days sea kayaking in Kenai Fjords National Park's Aialik Bay, one of Alaska's most diverse sea kayaking destinations. There are 3 tidewater glaciers that flow into Aialik Bay, and the area is well known as one of Alaska top wildlife viewing hotspots. We often see humpback whales and pods of orca whales and sometimes we get quite close to them. Dall porpoise, harbor seals, sea otters, black bears, mountain goats, bald eagles, and a variety of marine birds including puffins are also commonly seen. We'll sea kayak through rock arches while we explore the rugged coast of this fjord. Three immense glaciers flow into the ocean and we explore them all. You'll sea kayak among icebergs trapped in a lagoon and witness the awesome power of calving glaciers from the best seat in the house, your kayak. You'll see lots of waterfalls cascading down sheer granite walls. You can even sea kayak under waterfalls, if you're bold.
ITINERARY **
Arrival - Fly into Anchorage International Airport. Plan to arrive at least one day before your kayak trip departure date. Anchorage offers many fine hotel and bed and breakfast lodging options. We can provide you a list of recommended lodging options or include hotel lodging in Anchorage with your tour package. If you would like us to include hotel lodging in Anchorage with your sea kayaking tour package just let us know.

Holgate Glacier Sea KayakingDay 1 - Your adventure starts with a scenic train ride on the Alaska Railroad Coastal Classic Train to Seward. The train follows the Seward Highway along Turnagain Arm for about 50 miles before heading into the mountains. The Seward Highway has been designated an All-American Road, USDA Forest Service Scenic Byway, and Alaska Scenic Byway. Turnagain Arm has tides with the second greatest fluctuation in North America, varying more than 40 feet. Beluga whales and Dall sheep are frequently seen along this section of Turnagain Arm.

Leaving Turnagain Arm the train heads up into the Kenai Mountains towards Grandview Valley where you'll travel through lush spruce and birch forests. Keep your eyes open for the occasional moose along the railroad and to see the many hanging glaciers. There's Bartlett Glacier, Trail Glacier, and Spencer Glacier, which stands out as one of the most beautiful glaciers along the southern railbelt. You arrive in Seward around noon.

You'll have an opportunity to freshen up before heading out on your own to explore the small maritime community of Seward. Activities you may want to consider include: a walking tour of Seward to visit the many shops; a harbor and sea wall walk; Guided Ice Climbing Adventure, museum, or maybe a fishing trip. Ask our travel host about making arrangements for these special side excursions. Seward has many coffee houses and restaurants to choose from for lunch (on your own).

sea kayaking with whalesYou can also visit the Alaska SeaLife Center. The Alaska SeaLife Center is a non-profit marine science facility. The center's research facilities and naturalistic exhibits immerse visitors in the dynamic marine ecosystems of Alaska and provide opportunities to watch animals in naturalistic habitats as well as research settings.

Seward is a small community and everything is within walking distance. From your Seward hotel you can easily walk to the small boat harbor, downtown and the SeaLife Center.

Dinner (on your own) at one of the local Seward restaurants. Around 6:00 p.m. one of our guides will meet you at the hotel for a pre-trip meeting. Tonight will get you outfitted with rain gear, rubber boots and dry bags to pack your gear. Also, our guide will answer any last-minute trip questions you may have.

Day 2 - Breakfast on your own. Our guides will pick you at the hotel and with team effort we will load our sea kayaks and gear onto an ocean charter vessel for a 4-hour marine wildlife and glacier cruise to our first camp. Along the way, we round Cape Aialik, pass Caines Head, Bear Glacier, and a Stellar sea lion haulout. We'll set up camp, then devote the rest of the day to sea kayak safety and instruction as we paddle around our new environment.

tidewater Aialik GlacierDay 3 - Today we paddle up to the face of Aialik Glacier and take a long lunch break to watch the glacier calve and watch the seals playing on the icebergs. After lunch we head for Pedersen Lagoon, which is used by harbor seals to escape from orca whales. A beautiful glacier empties into an upper lagoon filling it with massive icebergs. This area is teeming with wildlife including bears, eagles, waterfowl, shorebirds, sea otters and harbor seals. Wolves and coyotes have also been reported in this area.

Day 4 - Today we head out toward the open ocean and paddle around Holgate Head and back into Holgate Arm, setting camp up on Holgate Beach.

Day 5 - We will paddle our way to the end of the fjord to visit the Holgate Glacier, the last of the three tidewater glaciers in Aialik Bay. We'll sea kayak through ice and "bergy bits" in front of the active glacier and watch it calve into the ocean with a thunderous roar.

Day 6 - We break camp early morning and if you choose you can go for a short paddle near camp while waiting for our charter boat to arrive for our ride back to Seward. Our shuttle driver will meet us at the dock and take you to back to your hotel.

Day 7 - Breakfast on your own. Meet the bus at 9:45 a.m. for your trip back to Anchorage. Along the way you will pass through dramatic valleys of the Kenai Mountains and keep a watch out for bald eagles, beluga whales and Dall sheep on this National Scenic Byway. You will arrive in Anchorage around 1:30 p.m.

For those that are continuing on to Denali National Park, you'll have about a 90 minute lunch stop at the Anchorage Museum of History and Fine Arts before continuing on to Denali.

2016 TOUR DATES
Form your own group for a group discount and choose any departure date or choose from one of our scheduled tour dates.

May 29 - June 4
June 5 - June 11
June 12 - June 18
June 19 - June 25
June 26 - July 2
July 3 - July 9
July 10 - July 16
July 17 - July 23
July 24 - July 30
July 31 - August 6
August 7 - August 13
August 14 - August 20
August 21 - August 27
August 28 - September 3

2016 RATES

Rates are based on shared hotel room with 2 double beds.

A Backcountry Safaris exclusive package departing from Anchorage. Includes the pre- and post-trip transportation to Seward from Anchorage, Alaska and the lodging in Seward before and after the kayaking trip.

Solo Traveler: $2175 plus tax
2 Travelers: $1920 each plus tax
3 Travelers: $1725 each plus tax
4 Travelers: $1640 each plus tax

Additional savings are available by choosing optional hostel dormitory style accommodation in Seward.

Trip Quote

On payment of your deposit to Backcountry Safaris, you agree to be bound by Backcountry Safaris' tour terms and conditions. Complete Tour, Reservation and Payment Terms are located here.

Prices are subject to change without notice.

Call 1-907-222-1632 to add tour options.
Alaska Railroad Gold Star Dome Car Upgrade
Denali National Park Extension
Exit Glacier Ice Hike
Exit Glacier Ice Climbing
Seward Halibut and Salmon Fishing

Combine this sea kayaking adventure with our bear viewing or our Denali National Park adventure for a terrific Alaska Vacation.

MAPS
Aialik Bay Map
Kenai Fjords National Park Map
See All The Kenai Fjords Maps Available

RELATED LINKS AND NATURAL HISTORY
Aialik Bay Photo Album
Kenai Fjords Wildlife
Kenai Fjords National Park Cultural Resources
Kenai Fjords Glaciers - Glacial Features
Harding Icefield
The Retreat of Exit Glacier
A Tour of the Life of a Glacier
Iceberg Sizes, Shapes And Classifications
Hypothermia, Cold Water Immersion
Wildlife Whale Watching Glacier Cruise

SUGGESTED ALASKA READING LIST
Kenai Fjords Historic Resource Study (online book) by Linda Cook and Frank Norris
Exploring Alaska's Kenai Fjords by David Miller
Kenai Fjords Park - Trails Illustrated Map
Alaska: A Novel by James A. Michener
Alaska: A History of the 49th State by Claus-M Naske and Herman E. Slotnick
Guide to the Birds of Alaska by Robert H. Armstrong
Wild Flowers of the Yukon, Alaska by John G. S. Trelawny
Coming into the Country by John McPhee
Travels in Alaska by John Muir

Dall PorpoiseDid You Know?
The Dall's Porpoise may be the fastest small cetacean on the planet? It has been reported to reach speeds of 30 knots. These creatures delight in riding the bow waves of tour boats in the Kenai Fjords.
Alaska Travel hotline
Backcountry Safaris
P.O. Box 1397 Seward, Alaska USA 99664
1-907-222-1632 or toll-free 1-877-812-2159
Alaska Cruise Expert
**Tour Itineraries: Backcountry Safaris and other tour operators that we work with strive to give you a high quality Alaska experience. The tour itinerary shown on our web page is an example tour itinerary. The actual tour itinerary may vary some due to weather, safety, guest abilities and other conditions. Backcountry Safaris and other independent tour contractors reserve the right to change the tour itinerary and/or make substitutions at any time and without prior notice or to cancel all or part of any tour in its reasonable discretion, for the safety of its participants or due to insufficient number of participants signing up for a tour, because of weather, for the comfort and well being of our guests, for any other conditions that might affect the quality of tour, or as deemed necessary by the tour operator or trip leader.

Limitations of liability: Although every precaution is taken to safeguard you and your belongings, our adventure trips involve inherent risks and dangers which are beyond our control and Backcountry Safaris shall assume no responsibility for personal injuries or deaths and loss of personal property. Due to the nature of the activities, a condition of your participation is that you will read and sign the acknowledgment and Release of Liability before the tour begins. A copy of the text is available on request.
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