Seward & Resurrection Bay: Kayak Tour with Private Beach Access

4.93

(242 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

"That mountain there? Locals call it Sleeping Lady," our driver said, nodding toward a snow-dusted ridge as we rattled out of Seward. I was still fiddling with my spray skirt when he pointed out the old cannery by the water — apparently, his dad worked there in the '80s. The van smelled faintly like wet wool and coffee thermos. I liked that.

Lowell Road turned to gravel and the world got quieter except for the crunch under our tires. Resurrection Bay was right there — this deep blue-green stretch framed by mountains that honestly looked too dramatic to be real. Our kayaking guide, Emily (who grew up here), handed me a dry bag and grinned, “Don’t worry, everyone feels wobbly at first.” She wasn’t wrong. My paddle kept splashing cold drops onto my sleeves, but after a few minutes I started to get it. Sea otters floated nearby, chewing something (clams?), and every so often a bald eagle would swoop overhead like it owned the place.

We stopped along Tonsina Creek — salmon were actually jumping upstream, which I didn’t expect in late July. The air smelled sharp and green; someone said it was spruce needles crushed underfoot. Emily told us how her grandfather used to fish here before tourists ever came around. There was this weird hush for a second, just water moving over stones and everyone listening to her story. I think that’s what stuck with me most.