Seward Travel Forum

We are two families with youngish teen children. We are going to Alaska next summer and would like to
go at the best time to see marine wildlife (and land
animals). We have different recommendations. Some say late August is too late, others that its OK. Is early July better.
ANy help greatly appreciated on this or any must see things or tourist traps. We'll be doing the touristy
Fairbanks, Denali, Seward, Cruise thing.
Thanks from a neophyte traveller.

Thanks for the input. My wife and I went in June before and loved it , but we are leaning to July

re: 'crowds' in Alaska. Unless you are 'combat fishing',
crowds are not like crowds in the lower 48. i have driven the main highways of Alaska for years, and it
is not uncommon to find yourself alone on the road for MILES, even during June thru August. The 'worst
case' scenario is occasionally getting 'stuck' behind
an RV'er, or being delayed for 20 to 40 minutes where road construction is being done, as it can only be done in summer months. good luck on your trip!
ps. the 'best' place to see animals is IN Denali park.

We visited Seward in Late August. I highly recommend the Kenai Fjords tour. We saw plenty of birds, sea lions, otters, Dahl's Porpoise, but no whales on the tour (6 hour tour is recommended).

Then be sure to see the sealife center in Seward. There are many excellent displays and the kids will have a good time.

The Kenai Fjords Tour out of Seward is well worth your time & $$'s - you'll get a well-guided boat trip to see glaciers, fjords & all kinds of marine wildlife.

Also, I've just updated my new VT page with some travelogue info for a driving trip on the Glenn Highway, which I think is one of the most beautiful drives around. Oh, and I love Homer, it's a wonderful quirky Alaskan town, with lots of artists and great fishing/boating ops.

If you go to Denali Park, you should get to see a lot of land wildlife - but stop at Talkeetna on your way, the best views of the mountain are actually from there.

In the 6 years I've lived here, there's been no way to predict which month of the summer will have the best weather. All I can tell you is that last July was spectacular, with temps in the '80's. I think we're going through some climatic changes...June will sometimes offer speicals or better rates, since it is slightly less touristed than July or August.