Birdwatching at the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward, Alaska
The Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward, Alaska, is not only renowned for its marine life research but also as a prime spot for birdwatching enthusiasts. Positioned on the shores of Resurrection Bay, the Center offers visitors a rare opportunity to witness seabirds and coastal birds up close in a setting that combines natural observation with state-of-the-art exhibits. Birdwatching here is unique because it blends education with real-time wildlife viewing, making it a must-visit for nature lovers exploring the region.
Adventure Guide to Birdwatching at the Alaska SeaLife Center
Puffin Habitats:
The Center houses one of the best indoor puffin exhibits in the U.S., allowing visitors to view both horned and tufted puffins in a simulated natural environment. You’ll get a close-up look at their behavior, from diving underwater to grooming their vibrant plumage. This controlled setting is valuable for studying their habits, especially for those who may not spot them in the wild.
Viewing Decks Overlooking Resurrection Bay:
The Center’s outdoor decks provide excellent views of marine and coastal bird species in their natural habitat. Keep an eye out for bald eagles, gulls, and cormorants soaring above the bay or perched nearby. Early mornings are particularly rewarding for sightings as many birds hunt and gather along the shoreline.
Murre and Kittiwake Displays:
These exhibits showcase the life of seabirds that thrive in steep cliffside settings. The underwater viewing areas give a rare glimpse of how murres behave beneath the surface, offering a deeper understanding of their unique adaptations.
Local Insights
Seward's location on a major migratory route makes it an excellent place to observe both resident and transient bird species. The Center often collaborates with local biologists to rehabilitate injured birds, highlighting conservation efforts in the region.
Visitor Tips
Best Times to Visit: Morning visits maximize bird activity. Spring and summer months are ideal for migratory species.
What to Bring: Binoculars, a field guide for identification, and a camera for capturing moments. Layers are essential, as coastal weather changes rapidly.
Directions: The Alaska SeaLife Center is a 15-minute drive from Kenai Fjords National Park’s visitor center. Parking is readily available.
Adventure Map
Reviews
HeathenandthePenguin3 weeks ago
We visited in October on our honeymoon and enjoyed a bit more free space at about noon. This was a very nice aquatic center, with plenty of exabits to look at for several hours. The general areas and bathrooms were well cleaned. The gift shop was big and had a nice variety of merch to support the cause. Hope to be back one day!
Tracy Caruso5 months ago
Located on the shores of Resurrection Bay. The aquarium is a premier rehabilitation Center for the sea life. They had lots of aquariums to see all species of fish.. Harbor seals, walrus, etc. My favorite exhibit was seeing the puffins! The facility has several levels so you can view the animals at top and also underwater in the basement area. They also have an exterior viewing platform that overlooks Resurrection Bay. Great place to visit on a rainy day. They did have a lovely gift shop and restrooms. It was nice that they had a free coat check when you entered. You can spend a little bit of time or a whole day there reading and seeing everything.. Great for all ages! They did have elevators for people with disabilities.
DeMario Franklina month ago
This is an excellent place to take the little ones! There’s a must see observation deck in the second floor. The sea lion viewing tank is amazing! I’ve never seen a sea lion so big up close. I’d actually visit this place every time I venture to Seward. I also enjoyed having the opportunity to touch the starfish. There’s a lot of fun facts to learn here, and you should definitely check it out.
Alexandria Wenningera week ago
On a whim my husband and I decided to make a trip from Anchorage to see the sea life center for a fun winter date. It was really nice coming in winter because it wasn't busy, we were able to take our time looking at all the critters. So many cool invertebrates, fish, birds, and even seals and sea lions. I really liked the hallway with the brittle and basket stars, and all the tanks with different sized young salmon. And all the flounder! So fun to watch how they swim, they were much more active than I would have expected. It took us about an hour and a half to go through. The only bummer is that all the lights were off inside the hospital area so we couldn't see inside through the viewing window, we were curious about the rehabilitation part but there wasn't much to view or read about that part of the sea life center. They did have some free seafood recipe pamphlets from the Alaska Seafood Institute too which was neat. They also had 3 different activity stations set up for kids so if you're looking for a fun activity for the family this would be a great place!
Jozef Watson3 months ago
Had some time in the morning before we rode the bus out of town and decided to support this establishment. It isn't an overly large aquarium but it has a nice diversity of animals and is laid out in an easy to follow format. It would be a fun place to take the family for a few hours.
