Seward Ocean Excursions

Seward Ocean Excursions runs wildlife and sightseeing tours year round, with only small groups (never more than 6 guests per boat) into Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjords National Park. That means more time talking with your Captain and getting a personalized experience. Locally owned and operated, they pride themselves on showing guests the beauty of the area year round.

Tour Options

Half-Day, 7 Hour & Full Day Sightseeing

Spend a half-day (or longer!) in search of a variety of marine life, including otters, sea lions, seals, whales, orcas, eagles, puffins and other seabirds. Of course, the scenery is compelling too, with hidden coves, dramatic waterfalls and impressive glaciers. As a small charter operation, there’s no set route, so you have the flexibility to stay and watch whales breaching or spend a little more time watching the glaciers.

Custom Trips

We offer private tour options to suit your goals. Give us a call or email and we can discuss how to make the perfect trip.

Winter on Resurrection Bay

It may be off-season, but the landscape is still beautiful, the soft light is perfect for photography, and wildlife is still abundant. Half-day cruises (3.5-hours) take you around the Bay and into little coves, where you can check out snowy beaches and enjoy the quiet. You may see otters, seals, porpoises, sea lions, mountain goats, sea birds, eagles, waterfowl—and on occasion, maybe even a whale or orca. Average temperatures range from the teens into the 40's, but don't let the chilly air scare you away. All boats have a heated cabin to keep you toasty while you cruise through the winter wonderland with a hot drink in hand. Most other boats in Seward take the winter season off, so typically you’re the only ones on the water.

Small group, big fun

Seward Ocean Excursions’ vessels carry a maximum of six guests, so you’re guaranteed a small group size regardless of the adventure. Many visitors find this an advantage over larger boats, with a more relaxed pace and plenty of time to talk with your Captain.

The McClures are the original owners of all four of their boats, and they’re essentially the same make/model (Winter Lynx is a 2025, Wayward Lynx is a 2021, Lost Lynx is 2018 and Missing Lynx is 2016). Passengers are happy with the heated cabin, great 360-degree viewing from inside, onboard toilet, and comfy seating. Safety is a top priority, so the vessels are outfitted with all the latest safety gear, above and beyond regulation. As small boats, they can pull into areas where larger boats can’t go but still have powerful performance, with the capability of getting you out to hot spots at a cruising speed of up to 40 knots.

About Seward Ocean Excursions

From booking on, your Seward Ocean Excursion will be a personalized experience. With a small group, and your Captain right there, you’re an active part of the trip and they cater to you! Once on board, prepare for a tour guided by a local Alaskan who is passionate about the area, with lots of stories about Alaska and interesting historical and environmental insights.

Seward Ocean Excursions is locally-owned by a husband and wife team, Captains Bixler and Krystin McClure. When they met at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, they realized that they both have roots in Alaska going back generations. In 2009 they relocated to Alaska and settled in Seward a few years later. Always game for adventure, the McClures launched their business and welcomed their son Lynx around the same time. He is a sixth-generation Seward resident.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Will there be other people on the boat, or are tours private?

  If a trip isn't fully booked, Seward Ocean Excursions may add other parties to the boat. That said, they cap every trip at six passengers, so you'll never be crammed onto a crowded vessel. If you want the boat entirely to your group, they offer a private charter option you can select at booking. Book all six spots and the trip is yours for the duration.

• We have more than six people. Can they accommodate a larger group?

  Yes. Seward Ocean Excursions can split larger parties across multiple boats and run them together, so your group stays connected on the water.

• Are kids welcome?

  Yes! PFDs (personal flotation devices) are available for children of all sizes and ages.

• What wildlife can you expect to see?

  Nature doesn't follow a schedule, but there are reliable patterns. On fall, winter, and spring tours, common sightings include Dall's porpoise, harbor porpoise, Steller sea lions, harbor seals, bald eagles, mountain goats, sea otters, seabirds, waterfowl, and glaciated coastline. Orcas show up occasionally. Summer trips add puffins and humpback whales to the mix, with a reasonable chance of fin whales, gray whales, and bears as well.

  Time of day doesn't meaningfully affect what you'll see, so don't stress about booking the early departure for better wildlife odds.

• Are the boats safe?

  The boats meet all federal and state requirements and then some. Each vessel carries multiple radios, life jackets, satellite tracking, EPIRBs (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons), life rafts, and additional redundant emergency gear beyond what's legally required. The captain will walk passengers through safety procedures before departure.

• Do they practice sustainable tourism?

  Seward Ocean Excursions holds Adventure Green Alaska (AGA) certification and is a member of Whale SENSE, a voluntary responsible whale-watching program. The boats are among the most fuel-efficient six-passenger vessels in Seward's harbor. Captain Bixler has a graduate background in environmental geography and marine tourism, and that shows in how the operation runs: engines get shut down when not needed, refuse and oil are recycled, and the business actively gives back to the local community.

• What about seasickness?

  Resurrection Bay and the surrounding fjords are generally calm water. The outer coast can get bumpy, but the enclosed geography works in your favor. Small boats like these also don't develop the long, slow roll that tends to cause seasickness on larger vessels, so issues are uncommon.

  If you know you're prone to seasickness, take medication before you leave the dock. Waiting until you feel sick is too late for most medications to help. If problems do develop on the water, the crew will work with you to find calmer conditions where possible.

• What's the weather like in Seward, and do trips cancel for rain?

  Summer temperatures range from the 50s to occasionally the 80s, with stretches of dry weather that can give way to rain with little warning. The ocean tends to moderate temperatures into the 50s and 60s. Winter swings more dramatically, from the low teens to the 40s, with sun, snow, and rain all in the mix.

  Rain alone isn't grounds for cancellation. If ocean conditions are genuinely unsafe, trips may be called off, but a wet day doesn't mean a no-go. Dress in layers, bring waterproof outer layers, and plan to enjoy the trip regardless of what the sky is doing.