Alaska Saltwater Lodge - Seward

Firstly, the customer service left a lot to be desired. Due to the inclement weather, our tour had to return to the dock 3.5 hours early out of an 8.5-hour trip. While I understand these things happen, the crew suggested we speak to the owner regarding a partial refund of our $540 payment. I reached out to Jim, the owner, and without much explanation, he offered a refund of only $40 per person ($80 total). I expressed my belief that a larger refund of $200 would be more appropriate given that we missed 40% of our tour. Unfortunately, Jim was quite dismissive and stated that the best he could offer was $50 per person. Secondly, the smaller boat used by Saltwater Lodge had limitations, which prevented us from reaching the glacier on days with high swells. Meanwhile, the larger boats were able to make it to the glacier on the day we had to turn back. Overall, it was a disappointing experience. However, I appreciate the effort to resolve the issue, which prompted me to reflect more positively on the entire experience.

Jim and Kathleen offered the perfect solution. My niece emailed them with numerous questions about accommodations for the kids, life jackets, and other concerns. They were incredibly gracious and provided us with a reasonable price for a private tour tailored to our family’s needs. They went over all the details, including the food that would be served on board, meeting locations, and what to wear, making us feel completely at ease. The night before our trip, they called to see if another couple could join us, and we all agreed since the boat could accommodate up to 16 passengers. Stan, our captain, and his wife Kathy, who served as first mate, turned out to be retired school teachers who were extremely friendly and attentive. They ensured that we had the opportunity to see orcas, humpback whales, plenty of sea lions, and bald eagles, and we timed our trip perfectly to witness the Holgate Glacier calving. While that was thrilling, it also made us reflect on the pressing issue of climate change. The boat was very well-equipped, featuring high railings that allowed the children to enjoy the outdoor space safely. There was a toilet with a door for privacy, ample seating inside for all of us, and additional outdoor seating options. The food provided was excellent, starting with muffins from a local bakery in the morning, followed by turkey sandwiches with cranberry sauce from Safeway and a variety of chips. Kathleen, the owner, treated us to her delicious mint chocolate chip cookies, brownies, and rice crisp treats with caramel. As the trip was coming to a close, Kathy served us sausage, cheese, and crackers, ensuring no one went hungry. Additionally, there was plenty of coffee, hot water for hot chocolate, tea bags, as well as a cooler stocked with soda and bottled water. They even provided storage for our backpacks, which contained kids' toys and extra clothing. I can’t thank Jim, Kathleen, Stan, and Kathy enough for such an incredible, fun-filled day. Because we added two other adults, Kathleen kindly refunded us some money, adjusting it from the original private tour price. You truly can’t go wrong with this company!

I'm a bit late in sharing my review, but my group took this tour in late August, and we had an absolutely fantastic time! Jim and Kathy were incredible hosts and tour guides. Although most of the whales had migrated for the winter, we did catch a glimpse of a few tails! There were plenty of other stunning sights along the way, and we were lucky with the weather. The glacier was breathtaking, and we even got to try a little ice fishing! I would rate this experience a solid 10/10 and would definitely do it again. It was an unforgettable day and an amazing adventure. If you have the opportunity, I HIGHLY recommend choosing Alaska Saltwater over the larger whale-watching tours. It may be pricier, but it's worth every penny. We passed by some of the bigger boats, which were overcrowded and made it challenging for people to see the wildlife. Our group had no such issues, leading to a much more relaxed and enjoyable experience.

And the wildlife! A whale got incredibly close to our boat—I felt like I could almost reach out and touch it! It kept circling us and showing off for what felt like half an hour. It was absolutely thrilling, not to mention the sea lions, seals, puffins, sea otters, jellyfish, and more. And the fish—we caught some real beauties! I loved that they were just as excited about our catch as we were. The entire day was so much fun; it was definitely the highlight of our trip. Make sure to book with them; you won’t regret it!

I had an amazing all-day wildlife boat tour through the Kenai Fjords. We encountered orcas, sea otters, sea lions, seals, puffins, and even caught a glimpse of a humpback whale spouting. Our captain Tanya and first mate Callie were outstanding guides; they were professional, friendly, and truly dedicated to ensuring we had a fantastic experience. The small group size of just 11 people made this a much better choice than a large, crowded boat. They also offered hot drinks, snacks, and lunch. I absolutely loved it!