SEWARD KAYAK FIELD GUIDE
Face to Face with Aialik: A Full Day of Glacier Kayaking and Wildlife in Seward
A full-day combination water-taxi and tandem-sea-kayak expedition that brings paddlers within sight — and sound — of Aialik Glacier’s dramatic calving and coastal wildlife.
Face to Face with Aialik: A Full Day of Glacier Kayaking and Wildlife in Seward.
This full-day outing threads two long scenic water-taxi legs with hours of guided paddling in Aialik Bay, delivering a close-up encounter with a tidewater glacier whose regular calving punctuates the day with thunderous drama while guides interpret the rugged coastline and the wildlife that inhabits it.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Calving and the Tidewater Face
Paddlers head toward the face of Aialik Glacier and are positioned roughly three-quarters of a mile away to safely observe large chunks of ice breaking off from the tidewater glacier — a dynamic spectacle that defines the trip.
Tandem Sea Kayaks, Hours on the Water
The tour uses tandem sea kayaks for group trips and includes a multi-hour paddling window in the lagoon where guests eat lunch in their kayaks while taking in glacier and bay scenery.
Coastal Wildlife and Guide Interpretation
Throughout the day guides share focused information about the rugged Alaskan coastline and the diverse wildlife of the area, adding context to the scenic passages and the glacier’s behavior.
What the day feels like
What the Day Feels Like
Expect a rhythm of long scenic boat transits bookending a deliberate day of paddling: a morning water-taxi into Aialik Bay, a safety briefing on a gravel beach, then three to four hours in tandem kayaks with breaks for lunch, snacks and hot drinks as you linger in the lagoon beneath the glacier’s face before returning by water taxi to Seward.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this trip suits — and who should look elsewhere.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
This is a full-day outing lasting approximately 10–11 hours, including water-taxi transits and multi-hour paddling in Aialik Bay.
Meet at the operator's Seward office at 31872 Herman Leirer Road for check-in; the schedule includes a short shuttle to the Seward Boat Harbor and return shuttle at the end of the day.
The itinerary includes lunch, snacks and hot drinks during the kayaking portion; guests will be outfitted with gear during check-in.
Trips operate rain or shine unless the operator issues specific notice; standard cancellation policies remain in effect under most weather conditions.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
Do I need previous kayaking experience?
No—most trips are suitable for first-timers; every trip begins with paddling instruction and a basic kayak safety demonstration.
What type of kayaks are used?
All guests are provided tandem sea kayaks for group trips; single kayaks are not offered as part of these tours.
Will the trip be cancelled if it rains?
Trips operate rain or shine; the cancellation policy remains in effect unless you receive specific notification from the operator otherwise.
How long is the trip?
The full experience lasts approximately 10 to 11 hours.
Where do I meet the group?
Meeting is at Adventure Sixty North’s office: 31872 Herman Leirer Road, Seward, Alaska.
Are there accessibility or size restrictions?
The tour is not limited-mobility accessible; guests must be comfortable loading/unloading kayaks and walking on gravel beaches. Tandem kayak cockpits measure about 17.3 in by 35.5 in and the maximum waist diameter is 44 inches.