Kenai Fjords National Park

A photographic journey sailing through Kenai Fjords National Park with Kenai Fjords Tours.

Two seas otters enjoying the waters just outside Seward Harbor. Photo by Justin Cox

Recently I took the eight-and-a-half-hour Kenai Fjords National Park Tour aboard the Glacier Explorer from Kenai Fjords Tours in Seward, to experience the gorgeous scenery of Resurrection Bay, Aialik Bay and the numerous islands bordering the Gulf of Alaska. Here are some of the amazing sights I encountered.

Two seas otters watching the ships pass just outside Seward Harbor. Photo by Justin Cox.
Male Orca Just outside of Resurrection Bay. Believed to be a member of a resident Orca pod. Photo by Justin Cox.

Along the route we encounter various wildlife and points of interest. The crew of the tour were friendly and happy to answer questions and quick to point out wildlife as it appeared.

Alaska coastline just outside of Resurrection Bay. Photo by Justin Cox.
Female resident Orca encountered outside of Resurrection Bay. Photo by Justin Cox.
Alaskan coastline between Resurrection Bay and Aialik Bay. Photo by Justin Cox.
No Name Island rising above the ocean outside of Aialik Bay. Photo by Justin Cox.
Unidentified humpback whale engaging in pectoral fin slapping. A behavior believed to be used to communicate with other near by whales. Photo by Justin Cox.
Humpback whale Cabot, has been seen in Alaskan waters since at least 2012, and is known to travel between Alaska and Hawaii. Photo by Justin Cox.
An unnamed humpback whale who is easily identified by the notched tail, and has been seen in Alaskan waters since at least 2005. This whale is preparing for a sounding dive in Aialik Bay. Photo by Justin Cox.
Unnamed humpback whale and an unidentified humpback whale prepare for sounding dives in Aialik Bay. Photo by Justin Cox.
Ice that has broken off from Aialik Glacier, a tidewater glacier at the head of Aialik Bay. Photo by Justin Cox.
Bear Glacier being fed from the Harding Icefield. Photo by Justin Cox.

Nearing the end of the tour, the Glacier Explorer pulled into Fox Island where we had dinner, consisting of salmon and steak along with various side dishes. After dinner we had a bit of time to explore the area around the Fox Island Day Lodge before we boarded the Glacier Explorer to return to Seward.

A lake behind the Fox Island Day Lodge. Photo by Justin Cox.
Kenai Fjords Tours Glacier Explorer tour boat docked on Fox Island, while the guests enjoy dinner. Photo by Justin Cox.
Tour passengers skipping rocks on the Fox Island beach after dinner. Photo by Justin Cox.
Alaskan Coastline on the way back into Seward. Photo by Justin Cox.
Seward Harbor after returning from the Kenai Fjords Tour. Photo by Justin Cox.