A scenic fjord featuring deep glacial waters, abundant marine wildlife, and dramatic mountain-lined shores that offer opportunities for boating, kayaking, and wildlife viewing.
General Information
How to Get There
From Anchorage (125 mi): Take Seward Hwy (AK-9 S) south for about 125 miles into town and follow signs toward the waterfront and harbor where access points and tours for the bay are located.
Overview
Resurrection Bay is a fjord on the Kenai Peninsula with Seward at its head, up to 972 feet deep, the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park, used by tour boats, water taxis, kayakers, and anglers. It has deep coves (Thumb, Humpy, Bulldog, Pony, and Derby), whales, sea otters, and puffins, and Caines Head State Recreation Area is on the bay. Boat tours from Seward run in summer.
Things to Do
Discover the Gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park
Resurrection Bay is a spectacular fjord located adjacent to Seward on Alaska's Kenai Peninsula. Surrounded by steep mountains, waterfalls, glaciers, and rugged coastline, the bay remains ice-free year-round and serves as a gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park. Visitors come to experience glacier scenery, marine wildlife, kayaking, boating, fishing, and some of Alaska's most beautiful coastal landscapes.
Take a Wildlife and Glacier Cruise
Boat tours are among the most popular ways to experience Resurrection Bay. Cruises travel through protected waters where visitors can view glaciers, dramatic cliffs, sea lion colonies, seabird nesting areas, and marine wildlife while learning about the region's geology and natural history.
Enjoy Exceptional Wildlife Viewing
Resurrection Bay supports a rich diversity of wildlife. Visitors commonly observe humpback whales, orcas, sea otters, harbor seals, Steller sea lions, puffins, bald eagles, kittiwakes, murres, and other seabirds throughout the bay and surrounding coastline.
Explore Scenic Coves and Coastal Landscapes
The bay contains numerous scenic features including Thumb Cove, Humpy Cove, Cape Resurrection, rugged sea cliffs, waterfalls, and alpine peaks. These areas are accessible by boat, kayak, or through nearby hiking opportunities originating from Seward.
Go Sea Kayaking
The protected waters of Resurrection Bay make it a popular destination for kayaking. Guided and self-guided paddlers can explore secluded shorelines, observe wildlife, and experience the dramatic scenery from water level while navigating among coves and islands. 【2-0c4b74】
Visit Historic Fort McGilvray
Near the entrance to the bay, Caines Head State Recreation Area preserves Fort McGilvray, a World War II coastal defense installation. Visitors can reach the area by boat or by hiking the scenic coastal trail from Seward.
Experience Seward's Waterfront
Resurrection Bay forms the backdrop for the community of Seward. Visitors can enjoy the harbor, Alaska SeaLife Center, waterfront parks, charter fishing excursions, and easy access to both Kenai Fjords National Park and nearby hiking trails.
Top Trails
Mount Marathon Trail
Length: Approximately 4 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: Approximately 3,000 feet
Difficulty: Strenuous
Rising directly above Seward, Mount Marathon offers some of the finest overlooks of Resurrection Bay. The trail climbs steeply to Race Point and rewards hikers with panoramic views of the bay, nearby mountains, and coastal wilderness.
Caines Head Coastal Trail
Length: Approximately 10 miles round trip to North Beach
Elevation Gain: Minimal to Moderate
Difficulty: Moderate
This scenic route follows beaches and coastal rainforest along Resurrection Bay to Caines Head State Recreation Area. Hikers can explore shoreline scenery, wildlife habitats, and the historic Fort McGilvray site. Portions of the route require careful planning around tides.
Tonsina Point Trail
Length: Approximately 4.2 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: Moderate
Difficulty: Moderate
This popular trail south of Seward leads through lush rainforest to Tonsina Point, where hikers enjoy views of Resurrection Bay, coastal cliffs, and opportunities for birdwatching and wildlife viewing.
Exit Glacier Overlook Trail
Length: Approximately 1.2 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: Moderate
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Located in nearby Kenai Fjords National Park, this trail provides views of Exit Glacier and the surrounding mountains that help define the landscape around Resurrection Bay and Seward.
This article uses material from the Wikipedia article and official pages for Alaska.org - Kenai Fjords & Resurrection Bay Cruises, Kenai Fjords Tours - Resurrection Bay Tour, Resurrection Bay, released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.
