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    Alaska Sealife Center

    4.3 (173 reviews)
    Closed 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
    Updated a few days ago

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    Joyce Z.

    I was excited for puffin sightings in Alaska but when they happened to be flying by at the same time as the baby humpback was doing tail slaps the previous day, the humpback won. So I had to stop by Alasika Sealife Center for a close up of both the horned and tufted puffins. If you are hesitant about that admission fee like I initially was, remember ASLC does great work, as the only institution in Alaska to rehabilitate stranded marine mammals as well as care for animals affected by oil spills. The only thing I wasn't a fan of is the non-static pricing but how it changes from the night before to the day of. Although I thought I would only need about an hour to explore the two floors, I ended up spending most of my morning there, starting with the touch pool, seeing the different stages of the Coho salmon, and staying for both the seabird keeper chat and the stellar sea lion training session.

    Harbor seal underwater viewing area.

    This is a bit of a rehab center and also an aquarium. It is a short walk from the small boat harbor to the Alaska Sea Life Center. We found plenty of parking spaces. The aviary was my favorite part of the center.

    Colorful fish
    Michelle L.

    We truly enjoyed the Sealife Center. The tanks with fish and other critters. The descriptions and teaching. Loved the sea birds especially the Puffins. The seals and sea lions were also fun to watch. Educational movies. Great gift shop too.

    Stacey N.

    What a great way to spend a rainy afternoon in Seward Alaska! Very informative and interactive. The seals were a highlight, as were the touch pools. Highly recommend if you're having a bad weather day in town like we were.

    I am pointing a horn puffin
    Casey I.

    Oh my goodness it was the most amazing places I ever been it was relaxing to see the animals My top 3 favorite animals there are 3. The harbor seal 2. The bird area the horn puffin HM the star fish at the touching area 1 the skull of some kind of whale near the entrance

    Matt U.

    We happen upon this delight when visiting some friends in Anchorage. They suggested we go on a day trip down here and we were very glad that we did! It's located on the water down in Seward, a stones throw from about a dozen restaurants. We did learn that the restaurants are very much on sea time, meaning that most of them are closed when the boats are out during the day. The number of different sea animals That are represented here was pretty impressive. They have a ton of sales, who are just delightful, seabirds including some lovely puffins, and tons of different fish and less mobile sea life. There's some great discussion about conservation efforts in the area, and some great interactive exhibits. After all, who doesn't love, touching a sea cucumber or a starfish! You could easily spend the better part of a day here, and there really is good stuff for adults and kids alike. It's a little on the expensive side, but overall we felt like it was absolutely worth it. It's a place we will go again the next time we're in the area!

    Puffins
    Daniella A.

    The work they do at the Sealife center is really invaluable and goes far beyond what we see in the center. I do agree that the admission cost is on the higher side & am thankful they provide a resident's discount. I also understand that they cater mainly to a tourist clientele & their business/revenue is mainly coming from the very short tourist season so it's understandable that they would charge what other aquariums do. My only complaint is the Sealife center is small compared to other aquariums I've been to. I think it's really cool how the entire place is dedicated to Alaska Sealife, but I find it weird that there are no otters at the Center. The coolest part of this place is the open seabird habitat. I also love the salmon exhibit (very Alaskan) and the observation deck overlooking the bay. I mainly make a yearly trip here for my son. If it was just for me I would've probably only been once & for my fill. They did recently update the touch tank area so I hope they continue to make improvements & add more interactive areas. I definitely think this is a place everyone should visit at least once!

    Puffin
    Kaiyun S.

    Great experience! Learned all about the native sea life,such as puffins, harbor seals, and the local fish, which I have also been eating for the past few days. I used to love aquariums, and I completely understand why!all the tanks were, well lit and clean. This is a great place in Seward.

    Harbor seals
    Jennifer N.

    After seeing a good amount of wildlife on a Kenai Fjords boat tour, i still enjoyed this well thought out Sealife Center, located in Downtown Seward. It's pricey to get in ($40 per person) but what isn't pricey in Alaska? They do support marine mammal rehabilitation and have a bird sanctuary. I really enjoyed seeing Puffins up close and getting to see rescued sea lions getting acclimated. Lots of viewing areas and it wasn't overly crowded on a Sunday. Nearby, you can walk through the shops or downtown, get a bite to eat and view the bay. It's a nice way to supplement your day in Seward. Great for small kids, with a touch pool and interactive exhibits. Worth a stop if you have extra time in Seward.

    Puffins up close
    Stephen P.

    It's not a mega aquarium like Georgia or Monterey, but it's a very well done presentation focusing on Alaskan sea based wildlife. The touch pool was outstanding, huge and definitely included things I hadn't touched before. Great bird enclosure with no barriers. I imagine when a cruise ship is in town it gets super crowded, but was very relaxed for my visit. The only thing holding me back from a fifth star is the high price considering the modest size...especially since I kept hearing it had been funded by the Exxon oil spill.

    More puffins!!
    Angela W.

    I really enjoyed seeing all the sea animals being rehabilitated here. Especially the puffins!!! I could've spent all day with them. Absolutely loved seeing them up close & personal. Definitely worth the visit plus it's for a great cause!!

    Starfish touch tank
    Michelle A.

    First of all, I'm a tourist from Minnesota. We drove here from Anchorage. It's very scenic. The listed admission was $34, then tax added so it was $38 something. Yikes, it better be worth it. There are literally 2 floors here. I touched the starfish and anemoes. I took some photos of sea lions and watched spotted seals swim. The view of Resurrection Bay was nice outside. There really wasn't much here besides some salmon aquariums also. Alaskan Residents get a discount. Hopefully my admission was used to feed fish and maintenance of tanks. Very underwhelming and expensive. Not a good value. It was OK, meh.

    Pablo P.

    The center has two amazing experiences: 1. The touch and feel some of the sea life. You'll be able to interact with starfish and shellfish. It's a great opportunity to teach your kids about some of the animals close to shore. 2. The open puffin, duck and bird area. I don't think I would have ever been this close to a puffin! They have a few different variations and a diverse bird community. The reason I gave it a 4, it's mostly cause of the price. I think they could have added more interactive sections because everything else was a big bland compare to the aquariums I've traveled too. Still 20x better than the Houston one.

    Greetings Sir Octopus

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    Page 1 of 5

    Ask the Community - Alaska Sealife Center

    Review Highlights - Alaska Sealife Center

    they saved a baby Walrus that had gotten separated from its mom and were feeding it till it was big enough to survive on its own.

    Mentioned in 5 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Kenai Fjords Tours - Tours to Kenai Fjords National Park

    Kenai Fjords Tours

    4.6(278 reviews)
    1.2 mi
    Free parking
    Kid friendly

    Prior to this tour, I had no idea what a fjord was. I, having the impatience of a toddler, simply…read moreinsisted my husband book the 6 hour cruise so I could FINALLY see whales in the wild! The snow-capped mountains were incomprehensibly wondrous! The massive blue glaciers were numerous! The oceans, streams, rivers, and lakes were plentiful. We were anble to see sea otters, stellar sea lions, Dall's porpoises, puffins, and a juvenile eagle, among several other types of birds. All of that being said, my most cherished memory was seeing the humpback whales spouting and playfully rolling around in the seawater! It, unfortunately, is STILL my dream to see a whale breaching the water! After gaining the knowledge bestowed upon us by this crew and before returning back to the harbor, we were served lunch. Stale tortilla chips & salsa were served alongside a re-heated burrito. Being pre-heated and then reheated, the burritos were not at all appetizing! The salsa did not help the tortillas at all, either. The crew aboard this boat was attentive, knowledgeable, friendly, and very patient with this particular group of passengers, many of whom ended up hanging over the sides of the boat while seasickness. I definitely recommend this tour and hope you get this particular crew (Captain Greg, Senior Bobbi, Clint, and Max.)

    An unforgettable Alaska experience! The Kenai Fjords Cruise…read morewas hands down one of the highlights of our Alaska vacation! My husband and I enjoyed every minute we were on board. The scenery was absolutely breathtaking, with spectacular glaciers, incredible wildlife, and stunning coastal views everywhere we looked. Our captain was amazing! She did a fantastic job pointing out every scenic highlight and all the sea animals we encountered along the way. Her knowledge and enthusiasm made the trip even more enjoyable. A special shout-out to the two young servers on board. They were incredibly friendly, attentive, and helpful throughout the cruise. When we reached the glacier, they even helped us take photos while we held pieces of glacier ice, creating memories we'll treasure forever. I would 100% recommend this cruise--as long as you don't get seasick. The water can get rough. Unfortunately, even though our daughter took Dramamine before boarding, she still became seasick and couldn't fully enjoy the experience. If you're prone to motion sickness, consider talking to your doctor about stronger prevention options before your trip. Overall, this cruise is an absolute must-do in Seward. Dress warmly, bring a good camera, and prepare for one of the most unforgettable experiences Alaska has to offer!

    Photos
    Kenai Fjords Tours - Glaciers tours in Kenai Fjords National Park

    Glaciers tours in Kenai Fjords National Park

    Kenai Fjords Tours - Glacier Dinner Cruise

    Glacier Dinner Cruise

    Kenai Fjords Tours - All tours include a hot  lunch served onboard

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    All tours include a hot lunch served onboard

    Major Marine Tours - Spire Cove

    Major Marine Tours

    4.6(263 reviews)
    1.4 mi

    This boat tour is an absolute must do if traveling to Seward! We did the 7.5 hour tour and it was…read morean unforgettable experience. Everything from getting the tickets, checking in, and during the tour was smooth and simple. The staff and service at each point were polite, kind, professional, accommodating, thoughtful, and overall great. Especially the staff on the boat - they were spectacular! They were knowledgeable and made the experience delightful and educational. They were also present, available, and easy to find if any needs came up. The lunch was far better than expected. I thought a simple deli sandwich, but no, these were packed with more meat than I've ever had on a deli sandwich. It was robust and delicious. Obviously, the views were the highlight. The calving of the glaciers, and iceberg and Mountain View's were incredible. So much wildlife out in June for our viewing. The whales were active and a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I would highly recommend this tour and tour company! Great pricing and exceptional experience, making it an incredible value!

    What a crap show this turned out to be. They split up our party and gave no options for pre booking…read morea specified seat. When i approached 2 different crew members about switching, I was basically told nothing could be done. They eventually switched us after an uncomfortable conversation with another table. I would recommend going to Kenai Fjords tour instead. What a waste of $1200. For context, we had a party of 7 consisting of 4 adults and 3 small children. For whatever reason they decided to put us at a 4-top table and combining the other 3 people with another table. We had an infant and were fine with having a 6-top and having the infant seated on a lap, but they felt otherwise. The table we were supposed to share with had spread their bags in the empty seats and were very resistant to sharing. One of them actually told my wife that she could sit on a backpack and refused to move and allow us to sit next to our family. While I am upset at the family, I am more upset that the staff didn't have someone monitoring the situation so that we were not put in an uncomfortable position of arguing with the table. Very uncomfortable and unprofessional.

    Photos
    Major Marine Tours - Sea lion on rock

    Sea lion on rock

    Major Marine Tours - A bald eagle.

    A bald eagle.

    Major Marine Tours - Dead gray whale

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    Dead gray whale

    Wilderness Express - From my seat inside of the dome car

    Wilderness Express

    4.7(3 reviews)
    1.5 mi

    Absolutely amazing…read more I wish I was a better writer, so I could really get a picture in your head of how beautiful the countryside is that you pass in the comfort of your deluxe train car. It is a 2 story train car with fine dining located on the first floor. The ceiling, is a glass dome ceiling. YOU SEE EVERYTHING! Dinner was fabulous. Do not mistake it for train food. This was a culinary experience. My husband and I had a pasta w/ reindeer sausage, and my brother had the best prime rib he ever had in his life. This upset my mother quite a lot, since she used to hold that title. Wilderness Express is not available to everyone. It is a Royal Caribbean & Celebrity Cruise Line exclusive thing. So if you want to experience it, it must be part of your overall cruise tour package. Just another thing to consider when choosing which cruise line to go with for your Alaska vacation.

    This was part of NCL's land and sea cruise package. After flying economy, and riding on a coach…read morebus, this was the most comfortable, spacious part of the tour. Very comfortable, plenty of room. The meals were nice, if you sit at the back of the car you get to go down and eat first. The bar tender was spot on. The tour guide that comes with the car pointed out some very interesting things along the way. There was a point, when dealing with the frost heaving, that the car moved pretty good, once we got past that is settled down for a very nice ride. The scenery was awesome!!!!!! To be able to ride through the country, wilderness and see all Alaska has to offer was a real treat. We even passed the flag stop train and were given the low down on how it operates and on some of the residents that use the flag stop train. To me the train part of the tour was the best part. If you do a cruise you REALLY need to make this a part of your trip

    Photos
    Wilderness Express - Would you look at that view!

    Would you look at that view!

    Wilderness Express - It is also the caboose. great view from the back!

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    It is also the caboose. great view from the back!

    Kenai Fjords National Park

    Kenai Fjords National Park

    4.8(62 reviews)
    1.1 mi

    "Where Mountains, Ice, and Ocean Meet"…read more Exploring this National Park was a nice addition to my trip to Alaska. I came here to do volunteer work. In the evenings, we mostly fished in the Kenai River. After finishing up our work, my group planned two fun days at the end of the week. One day we chartered a boat in Homer to Halibut fish and the other we visited Seward and got to see the Exit Glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park. Kenai Fjords National Park is massive. It is the fifth most-visited park in Alaska and is the closest national park to Anchorage. The park was established in 1980 and encompasses over 600,000 acres outside of the town of Seward. Snow and ice cover 50 percent of the park with the Harding Icefield stretching over 700 square miles. The park's headquarters and visitor center are located in Seward. The nice thing about Kenai Fjords National Park is that it provides both leisurely and adventurous activities for visitors. Activities include kayaking, boat tours, camping, fishing, biking, hiking, cross-country skiing, dog sledding and mountaineering. Various companies offer tours that are guided by National Park Rangers. In addition to seeing the beautiful scenery up close, you can also see both land and marine wildlife. Seward is also a destination for cruise ships and provides passengers from the ships with tours of the park. Kenai Fjords National Park lies on the southeastern side of the Kenai Peninsula and can be reached from Seward. The most significant fjords include Aialik Bay, Harris Bay, McCarty Fjord and Nuka Bay. Most of the interior of the park is covered by the Harding Icefield. A cool thing for me was that I was doing work at an airport when I was here in Alaska. Because my work was volunteer, one of the pilots offered to take some of us up in a plane to see Alaska from above as an appreciation for the work that we were doing. We flew over the Harding Icefield and got to see how massive it was. It was such an awesome experience. Another way to see the icefield up close is to hike on the Harding Icefield Trail. Kenai Fjords National Park is made up of three main areas - the Exit Glacier, Harding Icefield and the coastline. The Exit Glacier is the easiest section of the park to reach. I stopped by the visitor center in Seward first before seeing the glacier. It is a nice place to visit and to learn about the park. There are park rangers on hand to answer questions and a gift shop. We then headed over to the Exit Glacier. It is the only destination in Kenai Fjords National Park that is accessible by land. They have a small nature center that you can visit before heading out on the trail to the glacier. The Exit Glacier hike is the best way to see this glacier up close. Sadly, the glacier has shrunk considerably due to climate change. They have signs showing where the glacier once stood by year. Park scientists continue to monitor and record the glacier's accelerating recession. At some point, you won't be able to see the glacier anymore from the overlook trail. I really enjoyed my time visiting this park. Getting a chance to fly over the Harding Icefield was an amazing experience for me. Then checking out the Exit Glacier later in the week really made me appreciate how beautiful this park is. I hope someday I can return here and hike on Harding Icefield Trail to get up and close to it.

    One of the best parts of our June Alaska cruise occurred on the last day in Seward. We viewed…read moreparts of Kenai Fjords National Park from the water on a Major Marine boat trip. We saw the Holgate and Aialik glaciers, tons of wildlife (Orcas, sea otters, Stellar sea lions, harbor seals, puffins, and more). The finale was seeing the amazing rock formations in Porcupine Bay. Afterwards, we stopped by the Kenai Fjords National Park visitor center to learn more about the park. Wish we had more time for further exploration!

    Photos
    Kenai Fjords National Park
    Kenai Fjords National Park - Red Elderberry

    Red Elderberry

    Kenai Fjords National Park - Porcupine Bay

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    Porcupine Bay

    Sunny Cove Kayaking, Hiking & Wildlife Cruise Adventures - Glacier calving

    Sunny Cove Kayaking, Hiking & Wildlife Cruise Adventures

    5.0(93 reviews)
    1.2 mi

    Had the most epic day trip with Maggie at Sunny Cove! We paddled and did 2 hikes, one to a…read morewaterfall and the other to an old military fort. They were very organized, gave excellent instructions, had clean bathrooms, great lunch including hot soup! The equipment was all kept in good condition. Maggie was an excellent guide and fun to learn from! We definitely recommend & can't wait to return and do another trip!

    Let me preface this by saying that this review is not in of itself indicative of what others may…read moreexperience since there are so many factors that come into play. The tour guides are perhaps the biggest factor that is in control by the company. The wildlife viewing and glacier kayaking experience is also dependent on how lucky nature views you. This of course is not this fault of the company, but may impact experience. With that long statement out of the way, let's talk about what happened during my excursion. To start, they go over the typical safety protocols to mitigate chances of issues that would occur. Then you embark on a roughly two hour ride to the kayaking destination. From there, you kayak about 4 miles to the glacier. It's just beautiful to enjoy the Alaskan waterfalls and viewpoints before arriving at the glacier. But once there, you're hit with the majestic beauty of the glacier. Due to safety reasons, we paddle until about 1 mile from the glacier, but it's big enough to be seen from a good ways away. If you're lucky you can see some ice calving. Then you enjoy some lunch from a spot near the glacier before embarking home. Along the way there and way back. The group was also fortunate to see some amazing wildlife! From porpoises to orcas, to whales, it was just a stroke of good luck! If you're in Seward, heck even Alaska, it is definitely worth taking this kayaking tour!

    Photos
    Sunny Cove Kayaking, Hiking & Wildlife Cruise Adventures - Map of of our route and all the things we saw along the way.

    Map of of our route and all the things we saw along the way.

    Sunny Cove Kayaking, Hiking & Wildlife Cruise Adventures - Shoreline where we docked for hike

    Shoreline where we docked for hike

    Sunny Cove Kayaking, Hiking & Wildlife Cruise Adventures - Humpback whales feeding!

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    Humpback whales feeding!

    Alaska Sealife Center - tours - Updated August 2026

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