From diving puffins to sea otters holding paws, the wildlife in Alaska always puts on a show. In Kenai Fjords National Park, dramatic landscapes and diverse wildlife come together to offer once-in-a-lifetime encounters — both on land and at sea.
Join us at Kenai Fjords Tours to explore deeper into this pristine ecosystem and get a glimpse of whales, puffins, seals, bears and even mountain goats in their natural habitat. While sightings can never be guaranteed, chances are high you’ll encounter some of coastal Alaska’s most iconic residents.
Experts from the Alaska SeaLife Center will join special editions of the Resurrection Bay Tour every other Thursday beginning May 29 and weekly starting July 10.
Few sights are as awe-inspiring as watching humpback whales bubble-net feed — a group behavior in which whales blow bubbles in a circle to trap schools of fish. These giants migrate great distances each year, feeding in and around Kenai Fjords National Park from mid-April through November on tiny krill and small fish.
FUN FACT: Humpback Whales are known for their haunting, complex songs, with some lasting up to 20 minutes. Only males sing, and their melodies can travel miles through the ocean.
Famously called killer whales, orcas are actually the largest members of the dolphin family. You’ll spot them by their tall, triangular dorsal fins slicing through the water, along with their black backs, white undersides and distinct white eye patches. They live in family groups called pods and hunt cooperatively, earning them the nickname “wolves of the sea.”
FUN FACT: Orcas live in tight-knit family pods led by older females. Some even stay with their mothers for life.
Reaching an incredible 75 to 85 feet in length, fin whales are the second largest whale on the planet (behind only the blue whale). Their long, sleek bodies, dark gray backs, white undersides and V-shaped “chevron” marking near the head make them easy to identify.
FUN FACT: Fin whales can hit 30 miles per hour when threatened, and their powerful tails are strong enough to fatally strike a large shark
If you’re lucky, a Spring Resurrection Bay Tour may include a gray whale sighting as these massive marine mammals migrate north from the warm lagoons of Baja California. True to their name, gray whales have mottled gray skin. Other distinct features include small eyes near their mouth, along with barnacles and patches of whale lice often hitching a ride on their heads and bodies.
FUN FACT: Gray whales don’t have teeth — they have bristle-like combs in their mouth called baleen that help them strain tiny animals from the water. Most gray whales prefer to feed on their right side, wearing down that baleen and often earning them extra scars from rooting in the sand.
Horned and tufted puffins are a favorite sight along Kenai Fjords National Park’s rocky cliffs and islands. Known for their bright orange and yellow beaks and underwater “flying” dives — where they flap their wings to swim after fish — these seabirds are both excellent hunters and endlessly entertaining to watch.
FUN FACT: Puffins flap their wings around 400 times per minute to stay airborne. If they've eaten too much, this still might not be enough — you may see a puffin skip off the water!
Easily spotted along rocky shorelines, black oystercatchers stand out with their pink legs, bright red bills and loud, whistling calls. These shorebirds forage in the intertidal zone — the stretch of shoreline exposed at low tide and submerged at high tide. It’s a tough place to live, with crashing waves, shifting temperatures and constant environmental change. But for black oystercatchers, it’s also the perfect hunting ground for shellfish like mussels and limpets.
FUN FACT: Oystercatchers are loyal mates, staying paired year-round. You’ll often see them flying in pairs along the shore, calling to each other in duet.
If you’re near Seward Harbor, your chances of spotting a bald eagle are good. These iconic birds often perch on posts, glide overhead or swoop down to snatch fish from busy fishing areas.
FUN FACT: Bald eagles build enormous stick nests that can reach 8 feet across and weigh nearly 2 tons.
With webbed feet, furry faces and a habit of floating on their backs, these playful marine mammals are a beloved sight in Alaska’s chilly waters. Lacking a layer of blubber, they rely on their dense fur to stay warm. Sea otters often rest in groups called “rafts,” sometimes holding paws to stay close as they drift.
FUN FACT: Sea otters have a special fold of skin under their arms that creates a little pocket where they can stash food while diving. Sometimes, they even use it to hide favorite objects — like rocks used as tools to crack open their food.
Unlike other seals that bark, Steller sea lions are known for deep, roaring calls that echo across the shore. You’ll spot them hauled out on rocky beaches, resting and socializing in noisy groups.
FUN FACT: Steller sea lions are expert free divers — one has been recorded diving as deep as 1,400 feet!
Round faces, short dog-like snouts and plump, spotted bodies give harbor seals their signature look. On land, they wriggle around in a charming caterpillar-like motion, using small front flippers and longer back flippers to scoot along. Look for them hauled out on boulders or lounging on ice floes near tidewater glaciers.
FUN FACT: Harbor seals can sleep underwater, surfacing for air about every 30 minutes without fully waking up.
These black-and-white speedsters are often spotted racing alongside boats, reaching up to 35 miles per hour. Though sometimes mistaken for baby orcas, Dall's porpoises are smaller and stockier than their apex predator counterparts.
FUN FACT: When swimming fast, Dall's porpoises create a unique fan-shaped splash called a “rooster tail.”
Keep your eye out along the rocky shores and forested slopes — especially during salmon runs — for black bears. Though smaller than coastal brown bears, black bears are powerful climbers and can be surprisingly agile.
FUN FACT: Black bears aren’t always true-to-name. Their coats can range from jet black to cinnamon brown.
These sure-footed climbers can be seen grazing on alpine vegetation or resting on narrow rock ledges. Their thick, white coats keep them warm year-round, blending perfectly with lingering snowfields.
FUN FACT: Mountain goats have specialized hooves with rough, rubbery pads that act like natural climbing shoes, giving them incredible grip on steep, rocky terrain.
You never know who you’ll meet aboard a Kenai Fjords Tours adventure. Don’t miss your chance — book your cruise today!
About the Author
Based in Anchorage, Alaska, Andrea Burtzel is an outdoor advocate who loves inspiring others to get outside through activities like rock climbing, mountain biking and trail running. When she’s not out exploring, she’s working toward a degree in Journalism and Public Communications at the University of Alaska Anchorage. Follow her on Instagram at @andreainalaska or connect with her professionally at andreaburtzel.com.
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