Kenai Peninsula Day Tours
- 7am - 7pm | (2-3 hours hiking)
- Year Round
- 279.00 per person
Description
This full-day tour will take us through some of the most scenic country Alaska has to offer. You’ll travel along the Turnagain Arm of Cook Inlet, where you’ll likely see Dall sheep, mountain goats, and Beluga whales if the season is right.
The journey will take us through Turnagain Pass and eventually alongside the famously picturesque Kenai River.
The highlight, however, will be on or near the rivers of the Kenai Peninsula. Here, if the timing is right, you’re likely to see brown or black bears and salmon swimming upriver to their spawning grounds.
This trip is the most diverse of our packages, where as many as five big game species can often be seen, including birds, fish, and various smaller animals.
Photographers will have ample opportunity to capture that perfect shot on this trip of a lifetime.
Itinerary
An Alaska Adventure guide will pick your group up at your hotel by 7am the day of your tour.
We’ll travel to the Kenai Peninsula, making stops along the way as we find various scenery and wildlife viewing opportunities.
Expect a hike of about one to two hours and a shorter hike of about 30 minutes on improved trails while on the peninsula. Bring your lunch, or we’ll stop at a restaurant in the Cooper Landing area for a meal (cost not included in tour price).
You can expect to be back at your hotel around 7pm.
Notes
- To maximize the potential for wildlife viewing, we like to be near the Kenai River, which is our furthest point from Anchorage early morning or late evening. An evening trip can be arranged if desired. Please contact us when you book if you need a specific tour time.
- Weather conditions can vary greatly from day to day. Dress in preparation for staying comfortable in the prevailing weather conditions. We will be in the van the majority of the time, but at times will get out for short walks or hikes depending on guests’ preferences.
- Dress in layers. When the weather turns out a little different than forecast, the sun comes out, or wind picks up, the ability to adjust to the conditions can make your time out much more enjoyable.
- Bring a small backpack or other means of carrying the few things you may want to keep available while we’re out, a hat, sunglasses, water bottle and your preferred bug spray and sunscreen for example.
- We’ll have bottled water, bug spray and sunscreen in the van. You’re welcome to bring your preferred variety.
- This activity is rated as moderate. Guests with medical conditions or concerns, please contact us in advance to explore options and accommodations for this trip.
Feel free to give us a call if you have additional questions or concerns.
Includes & Excludes
- Round Trip Transportation from Anchorage area hotels
- Bottled drinking water
- Lunch – You’re welcome to bring snacks, no food is included in this tour. We will arrange a meal stop. Meal is not included in the tour cost.
- Footwear – no clothing items, jackets, or boots are provided
Customize Your Tour
FAQs
The scenery on this tour is second to none. We’ll travel along the Turnagain Arm of Cook Inlet, alongside the Chugach Mountains, through Turnagain Pass, the Kenai Mountains, and onto the Kenai Peninsula. Different times of year are better for seeing different types of animals. Moose are often seen on the Kenai tours.
We can see bears between May and November, with the highest likelihood being while salmon are in the streams, July through September.
Dahl sheep are often visible in the mountains throughout the drive. December is prime time for viewing big rams, as they often come down lower in the mountains for mating season.
Beluga whales can be found along Turnagain Arm, especially in early and late summer. Eagles are found year-round but peak during the hooligan (smelt fish) run in Turnagain arm in early spring.
We’ve often counted over 100 bald eagles and several golden eagles gorging on these little fish.
Mountain goats, somewhat similar to Doll sheep, are often seen in the Chugach Mountains, a little further from Anchorage than the sheep often are, and they usually stay up in higher elevations.
Other animals are frequently seen but can be less predictable than previously mentioned. If you’re looking for something not discussed here, please feel free to reach out for information and start planning your trip!
On this tour, we can be flexible regarding activity level. We’ll work to match the energy and abilities of the group. Typically, we’ll spend an hour to an hour and a half on a light hike. Some of our more active groups can get to some unbelievable areas for viewing moose and sheep and bears mainly, while for those more limited in ability, there are many animals and sights to see right from the comfort of your seat! If you have specific needs or concerns, please get in touch with us for options.
Plan on being outside for as much as an hour and a half on this tour. We recommend dressing appropriately for the temperature in layers that can be added or removed as conditions change. The van always has room to bring a backpack with extra clothing.
While lunch is not provided at the cost of the tour, we can stop for lunch at a local restaurant or pick up snacks at a convenience store. It’s your choice. Alternatively, if the group has arranged to bring food, we can skip the sit-down meal, giving us more time to explore!
The Kenai Peninsula is about 60 miles south of Anchorage, with the drive taking roughly 1 to 1.5 hours to reach the northern edge. A full Kenai Peninsula day tour usually continues deeper, often to the Kenai River or nearby valleys, which adds more driving time but also increases chances to see wildlife and stunning scenery. The route follows the Turnagain Arm of Cook Inlet, one of the most scenic drives in Alaska, with regular opportunities to spot Dall sheep, moose, beluga whales, and eagles along the way. Starting from Anchorage makes the Kenai Peninsula one of the most accessible regions to explore in a single day.
The best time to visit the Kenai Peninsula depends on what you want to see. Summer, from June through August, offers the warmest weather, long daylight hours, and the chance to watch salmon runs in the Kenai River, which also attracts bears. Spring and fall bring fewer crowds and great opportunities to spot moose, Dall sheep, and eagles along Turnagain Arm. Winter tours are available as well, and while conditions are colder, the snow-covered scenery is stunning, and wildlife like moose and sheep remain active. Most visitors choose summer for the variety of wildlife and easier travel conditions, but each season has something unique. Guided Kenai Peninsula tours run year-round, so you can plan based on your interests and timing.
Yes, transportation from Anchorage is included with the Kenai Peninsula Day Tour, so you will not need to arrange your own travel. Your guide will pick you up directly from your Anchorage hotel at 7:00 a.m. and return you around 7:00 p.m., making it a convenient full-day trip. The drive itself is part of the experience, as the route follows the scenic Turnagain Arm and passes through Turnagain Pass before reaching the Kenai River. Along the way, you’ll have chances to stop at viewpoints and look for wildlife such as moose, Dall sheep, and beluga whales. Including round-trip transportation from Anchorage allows you to relax, enjoy the scenery, and focus on the day’s wildlife and photography opportunities.
The Kenai River is famous in Alaska for its world-class salmon runs, turquoise glacial water, and abundant wildlife. Anglers from around the world travel here for the chance to catch king salmon, sockeye salmon, and rainbow trout, making it one of the most productive sportfishing rivers in the state. Beyond fishing, the river is known for its striking blue-green color created by glacial silt, which makes it a popular destination for photographers and sightseers. The surrounding Kenai Peninsula is home to bears, moose, and eagles, many of which can be spotted along the river during salmon season. Easy access from Anchorage adds to its popularity, making the Kenai River both a natural landmark and a central part of Alaska’s outdoor culture.
No, you do not need to bring any special gear or equipment for the Kenai Peninsula Day Tour, as it is designed to be accessible for most travelers. Since the tour includes round-trip transportation and bottled water, you only need to bring personal items to stay comfortable throughout the day. We recommend wearing sturdy walking shoes or hiking boots, as you’ll spend 2–3 hours on short hikes, and dressing in layers to adjust to changing weather. A hat, sunglasses, and rain jacket are useful in case of sun or showers. You may also want a small backpack for water, snacks, or a camera. Technical gear like crampons or fishing equipment is not needed.
Turnagain Arm in Alaska is known for its dramatic tides, abundant wildlife, and stunning scenery along the Seward Highway south of Anchorage. The inlet experiences one of the world’s largest tidal swings, which creates the famous bore tide, a single wave that can stretch for miles as it moves up the narrow channel. Visitors often spot beluga whales following salmon runs, as well as Dall sheep on the cliffs, moose in the wetlands, and bald eagles overhead. The drive along Turnagain Arm is considered one of the most scenic routes in Alaska, with mountains rising directly from the water. Because it is so close to Anchorage, it is a popular area for day trips and a highlight of tours to the Kenai Peninsula.