A Kenai Fjords wildlife tour was one the planned highlights of our 2 weeks Alaska adventure. Did…read moresome online research and asked some locals for advice on which tour to take. Several recommended Alaska Saltwater Lodge for its small boat tours. So I called to book. They don't always answer their phones so you have to leave a message or call back. I found the best time to call was after 5pm Alaska time. You meet the tour in front of a bakery across from the visitor center. There's a $10 all day parking lot there. Met the deckhand Joe who was really nice with a great sense of humor. Walked the 11 of us out to the boat where we met the captain Lindsey. A little safety instructions and off we went. Right in the harbor were a couple of bald eagles. Father out Lindsey spotted some humpback whales bubble feeding. It was a pod of about 20. We got up close - probably about 25 yards and what an amazing experience. Also saw seals, otters, puffins, sea lions and of course the glacier. The day was beautiful, mostly sunny, but what made the experience was Joe and Lindsey. We're out there 9 hours so had a chance to chat with both of them about living in Alaska, how she liked captaining the boat, etc. Really made the experience much more personal. When we got off we all agreed it was more like a day of boating with friends instead of a tour. Can't recommend Saltwater Lodge tours highly enough for their small group sizes, personalized service and great crew.

Staying at the Dairy Hill Lodging & taking an all-day tour during my time in Seward were wonderful…read morehighlights of my 2-week road trip to Alaska in late May/early June 2015. What a great little town & superb hosts! James & Kathleen made me feel right at home in their cozy, quiet, & comfortable B&B. The bed was comfy, the room was just the right size, & the curtains cancelled most of the constant sunlight shining in Alaska during the time of year in which I visited (this is very important, trust me). I found the prices to be very reasonable for the quality of my quarters, as well as my proximity to eateries & the dock. It was a quick walk from my B&B to the dock in order to meet up with everyone taking the Full-Day, Small-Group Whale-Watching, Wildlife, & Glacier Tour (the same people who have the Dairy Hill Lodging also head this tour). Once aboard, the cloud cover parted & we immediately starting seeing bald eagles & otters. We eventually also saw seals, two types of puffins, sea lions, & a large variety of beautiful birds. The calving glaciers sounded like thunder (you realize how small you are when they're close). Humpbacks & Orcas breached & played close to our boat several times, which was breathtaking. I was giddy when we discovered that two Dall's porpoises decided to have a little fun with us & glided alongside our boat, jumping & having a ball. It truly was an all-day adventure full of memorable moments & well worth the money/time. I cannot recommend the tour highly enough & thoroughly loved their Dairy Hill Lodging accommodations. I really hope I can return to Seward, & if I do, these guys will definitely be a part of my itinerary!