Resurrection Bay

Many itineraries within Kenai Fjords National Park include a wildlife-watching cruise in Resurrection Bay. Those interested in bird-watching and wildlife spotting should be on the lookout for puffins, bald eagles, Dall's porpoise, Stellar sea lions, orcas, humpback whales, harbor seals, and sea otters.

Helicopter tours passing through the park to land at Godwin Glacier often fly right over Resurrection Bay. As the waters of the bay never freeze, they are also popular for kayaking and sailing.

• Resurrection Bay is a must-see for animal lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

• Dress in warm layers with a waterproof outer layer to protect you from the wind.

• Don’t forget to bring sun protection; the sun in Alaska can be surprisingly intense.

• Take appropriate precautions, if you suffer from motion sickness.

• Excursions to Resurrection Bay can last anywhere from three to eight hours, depending on the activities chosen.

Many visitors come to Resurrection Bay as a guided shore excursion from Seward. Cruises on the bay typically depart from the Seward Small Boat Harbor before heading out into the bay.

While the waters of Resurrection Bay never freeze and are therefore always navigable, a majority of tours operate between mid-May and mid-September when the days are long and weather mild.

Alexander Baranov was a Russian merchant who was forced to take shelter in the bay during an intense storm. When the storm finally settled, it was Easter Sunday, and in honor, Baranov gave the bay (as well as the nearby river) the name Resurrection.

Considered a gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park, Resurrection Bay measures approximately 35 miles (56 kilometers) from north to south. The long, deep fjord is located on the southeastern coast of the Kenai Peninsula. Boat tours are a popular way to discover its dramatic scenery.

Resurrection Bay was named by Russian merchant and trader Alexander Baranov in April 1792. According to the story, Baranov was on an exploratory mission and had to take shelter in the bay due to a dramatic storm. The storm ended on Easter Sunday when Baranov gave it its memorable name.

Just about. Exit Glacier—one of the world’s most visited glaciers, located in Kenai Fjords National Park—is viewable from Exit Glacier Road just outside of Seward. If you want a closer look, it’s a 10-15-minute drive out of town to the glacier. Boat tours offer another way to see the scenery.

The best time to see whales in Seward—which is located near the northern edge of Resurrection Bay—is from May to September. Some gray whales arrive earlier in April, but coming in peak season is your best chance of seeing orcas and humpback whales on a whale-watching tour.

The wild and rugged scenery of Resurrection Bay—and the adjacent Kenai Fjords National Park—speaks to the region’s glacier-carved history. Resurrection Bay (considered the longest fjord in the region), was likely created by the collective massing of the Harding and Sargent icefields, according to the National Park Service.

As the story goes, Resurrection Bay was named by Russian merchant Alexander Baranov in 1792. However, the bay and surrounding terrain were inhabited long before that by the Sugpiaq people, who are one of eight Alaska native peoples. They have lived in the region for more than 7,500 years.