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    Alaska Sealife Center

    4.3 (169 reviews)
    Closed 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
    Updated a few days ago

    Alaska Sealife Center Photos

    Recommended Reviews - Alaska Sealife Center

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    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
    Alia G.

    Right on Resurrection Bay... you can't miss it. hahaha! (It's at the other end of town from the boat harbor and and where you take the day cruises.) My favorite part was the Puffin exhibit. You got to see the Puffins up close which was much better than on the day cruise where we saw Puffins at a distance. (These birds are smaller than Eagles so they are much harder to see at a distance.) Oh... and my other favorite part was the touch tanks. (If you have littles, this is a good time to teach them how to touch softly or gently.) Note, I don't know why I was surprised, but I was.... the water was icy cold. The facility is well laid out and organized. All in all, I'd say plan on 1.5 to 2 hours to take your time and enjoy the exhibits and the different tanks. And if you're like me... and it happens to be a beautiful day.... you may want to bask in the beauty that is Alaska and Resurrection Bay on their outdoor deck.

    Eric B.

    The Alaska SeaLife Center is one positive result from the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill, in that the settlement largely paid for this world class public aquarium and marine mammal rehabilitation facility. The facility is located on the water in Downtown Seward and was also easily accessible to me and Gayle via a shuttle bus that also stopped at our Hotel. We probably spent a couple hours here (our usual upper end for museums) and especially enjoyed watching the puffins (and other sea birds) and the marine mammals. The staff we interacted with were friendly and happy to be here at this very well organized non-profit and kid-friendly complex. The gift shop (including the Lobby kiosk) is also cut above.

    Sean G.

    This place is nice, they offer a local discount so i am in. I am a fan and love this place but it is small compared to other sealife centers i know this is due to being in freaking Alaksa and a million miles from people, crowds and other support. It would be hard to have a larger center with little no no visits during winter. I do love a lot here and will continue to come back and support. I think they can improve in a few areas. This would make it a 5 star for me more audio options. buttons to push and hear about the think i am sitting in front of. That way you don't have to pay an employee to do this and it's short and sweet. Viva the robot Revolution! Just kidding but in some areas where you don't have employees this would be nice. Your lobby is large and i feel could have more interaction in it. donate to here donate to there. this could be a normal thing but covid ruined everything. i saw the one spot with the sea lions but maybe a larger interactive donation buckets where people can donate to vote for your favorite creature today? I am not saying supper large but have photos of the animals and below maybe put some stats of wheee the money will go. an example of this did you know one meal for mr sea lion cost $x the octopus eats only the finest X and it cost X anything educational but also help me understand where my donation is going. just food for thought. i would feel better paying more if i knew it cost $Xxx per day to run the place. This is probably coming from my new found fear of donating to places that pay the top executives more than they are worth to do next to nothing. not saying this place is like that but help me know where my money goes.

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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

    Major Marine Tours - Spire Cove

    Major Marine Tours

    4.7(256 reviews)
    1.4 mi

    Our group booked the 6-hour cruise, and given the rough water conditions, I was incredibly…read moreimpressed with the experience. The crew and captain did an excellent job pointing out wildlife and sharing detailed information about the animals and conservation efforts in the region. We went early in the season and still saw several whales, sea lions, and porpoises. Our cruise also stopped at a glacier, where we spent about 20 minutes taking it in. The crew even scooped up ice from the water so everyone could touch and hold it, which was a really memorable experience. One important piece of advice for anyone considering this tour: take Dramamine before boarding. It doesn't matter whether you book with this company or another one -- the open water can get very rough. Even people on our cruise who insisted they "never get seasick" ended up feeling nauseous or getting sick during the ride. That's not the captain's fault; it's simply the reality of traveling through open sea conditions. What stood out most to me was how attentive the crew was throughout the trip. They checked on passengers constantly, communicated well with each other, and helped anyone feeling sick move to areas with fresh air, which really does help. Because of how professional and caring the crew was, I would absolutely book another cruise with this company. They also provided lunch at the start of the cruise, and it was surprisingly substantial -- definitely not just a basic sandwich situation (IYKYK). Overall, despite the rough seas, this was an incredible experience from start to finish. Between the wildlife sightings, glacier stop, attentive crew, and surprisingly good lunch, I would absolutely recommend this tour.

    i saw a puffin and sea lions, this boat trip was awesomeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeread more

    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

    Kenai Fjords Tours - Tours to Kenai Fjords National Park

    Kenai Fjords Tours

    4.5(272 reviews)
    1.2 mi
    Free parking
    Kid friendly

    We had an amazing experience! We were blessed with sunny skies and calm weather. Staff were very…read morefriendly, approachable and genuinely welcoming and kind. Our captain, Mike, made sure we had every opportunity to see the sights and find the wildlife. He often turned the boat to make sure all the guests could see the wildlife. Our food was excellent and I was accommodated with a vegetarian meal. Highly recommend this tour!! Amy P.

    The Classic Kenai Fjords Park Tour was great. The catamaran departed on time at 11:30am. The very…read morefriendly staff on board made sure we were comfortable. They served lunch which was burrito (choice of either southwestern chicken or vegetarian) and a few hours later a warm chocolate chip cookie. The staff also went around to show some animal collection, helped us locate the animals that were being pointed out by the captain, took our photos, answered questions, ensured our safety and even fished a chunk of ice near the glacier and let people touch and have photos with it. We saw many animals including whales, orcas, sea otters, sea lions, different birds including puffins, bald eagles, etc. We went close to glaciers. The captain was very knowledgeable. The 6-hour cruise was memorable! For the most part the waters were calm; there were certain areas that were rough. Even then, we were told that the water was calmest when we visited on that day in June. For some who have have motion sickness, bringing a medication can be helpful (though I think they also sell some on board) though we did not need any. Layering is still the key with an outer shell that is waterproof in case it rains. Though not necessary really, binoculars can enhance the experience. Would definitely recommend!

    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

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

    Sunny Cove Kayaking, Hiking & Wildlife Cruise Adventures

    5.0(92 reviews)
    1.2 mi

    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!

    Zeke and hunter were the amazing guides who were very knowledgeable of the surrounding wildlife. It…read morewas rejuvenating to be out on the water with a great group of people. I highly recommend trying it out, even if you're new to kayaking. They were very prepared, and we felt safe, on top of fact that the kayaks were really hard to flip. I'm not saying you should flip (since it WILL end the tour), BUT if you do end up capsizing, your guide will have to do a shoey at the end of the season... just saying.

    Photos
    Sunny Cove Kayaking, Hiking & Wildlife Cruise Adventures - Tonsina Park

    Tonsina Park

    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 - Fun times!

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    Fun times!

    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!

    Alaska Sealife Center - tours - Updated May 2026

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