We recently had the exciting opportunity to connect with Seward Ocean Excursions through a written interview. They gave us an inside look at their story, the incredible tours they offer, and what it’s really like to explore the waters of Alaska year-round. Their passion for the ocean and the stunning beauty of the Kenai Fjords comes through in every answer. Here’s what they had to say:
1. What inspired you to start Seward Ocean Excursions?
Prior to starting Seward Ocean Excursions, we, Bixler and Krystin, owned a sailboat in Seward and spent 7 years on the water in Kenai Fjords National Park and the surrounding areas. We enjoyed our time on the water so much that we were inspired to start a business to share our love for the area with visitors and locals. Since we sailed almost all year, we decided to think outside the box and run our tours year-round!
2. Can you tell us about the types of tours you offer?
We offer a 3.5 hour wildlife and sightseeing tour all year long in Resurrection Bay. Between May 15 and August 31, we run longer glacier tours including a 6 hour tour to Aialik Bay and a private 8 hour tour which is excellent for photographers and those desiring to go deeper into Kenai Fjords National Park.
3. What is the best time of year to visit Seward and take one of your trips?
Anytime is the best time of year to visit Seward! Summer is the most popular time for whale watching, but winter is quiet and beautiful and nothing beats being on the water after a fresh snowfall.
4. What kinds of wildlife can guests expect to see?
Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjords National Park are full of wildlife all year. Our year-round wildlife includes harbor seals, Steller sea lions, otters, eagles, mountain goats, seabirds, and the possibility of orcas and Dall’s porpoise. Summertime brings out black bears, humpback whales, puffins, and other seasonal birds in addition to our year-round resident wildlife.
5. Can you share a day in the life of the Seward Ocean Excursions team?
As the business operators, we start our morning with a large cup of coffee and an overview of the morning marine forecast to make sure the day’s weather is good for the tours. Before our scheduled phone hours, we’ll respond to any overnight emails and check morning voicemails and social media comments. As tour time approaches, we’ll verify any booking notes for the day’s tours. Depending on the day, we usually head into the harbor to greet guests either before or after the trips and talk with the captains to check up on wildlife sightings, boat maintenance, supplies, weather, and more. If we are running any tours, we head in early to prep the boat which includes turning on the heater (if needed), checking the boats’ safety and functionality, warming up the outboards, verifying supplies, and coordinating with the other captains on the route. After the tours are done for the day, we verify the fuel status of each boat and gather any pictures or video to cultivate our social media. We’ll also haul boats if needed for any periodic maintenance late in the evening. Once the afternoon marine forecast is out, we check it and assign the next days’ trips and pass on any notes that the customers may have in their bookings. We put the phone to bed once our office hours close and get ready to go it all again tomorrow!
6. What’s the most rewarding part of running your business?
The most rewarding part of owning a business is being your own boss! We work hard, but we get to set our own schedule and answer to no one except ourselves.
7. Can you describe a particularly memorable wildlife encounter you’ve had?
We’ve had some pretty amazing wildlife encounters over the years, but there was one in particular when we had a mother orca and her calf come extremely close to the boats, so close that you could see the eyes of the animals looking at you. The mother orca showed her calf one boat and then moved over to the other and did the same. She never repeated boats, and it was almost as if she was just walking her calf through the different tour boats in the fleet.
8. What challenges do you face operating in such a unique and remote environment?
Our biggest challenge is hands down the weather! Our only datapoints are the twice-daily marine forecast, the weather station at the airport, and two buoys out in the Gulf of Alaska. Oftentimes, especially in the winter, what we are seeing at the weather stations and buoys doesn’t agree with the marine forecast. We have to often make a judgment call based solely on experience as mariners in this area.
9. How do you handle unpredictable Alaskan weather with a boat full of customers?
Most of our customers understand that we have no control over the weather. If the marine forecast is showing poor conditions, we play it safe and often cancel and refund our customers or move them to a day with a more agreeable forecast. If we are out on the water and conditions change rapidly, we have a means of communication via InReach and can warn the captains, who can decide to take a new route through fairer waters. Safety is the most important factor of our business, and we pride ourselves as being one of the few 6 passenger operators who carry 8 man life rafts aboard our vessels.
10. Are there any myths about Alaskan wildlife you’d like to debunk?
Orcas are not migratory like humpbacks, and we’ve seen them every month of the year, even in the winter!
11. Are there any exciting new projects or offerings on the horizon for Seward Ocean Excursions?
We keep throwing around the idea of adding another boat to our fleet, but we haven’t committed to it yet!
12. How do you stay innovative and adapt to changing traveler expectations?
We found that the best way to adapt to traveler expectations is by chatting directly with our customers. We don’t use third-party booking agencies because we want to be able to communicate with our guests directly if they have specific questions. That way, we can suggest a tour that best fits them and sculpt the experience in their favor.
13. What’s one thing you’d love every guest to take away from their experience with you?
We want our guests to bring home amazing memories of a lifetime!
14. Do you have any recommendations for first-time visitors to Alaska?
Yes! The weather is crazy and unpredictable up here! Don’t let a rainy day bring you down. Just dress for the weather and enjoy the experience. Whales don’t care about the rain.
A huge thank you to Seward Ocean Excursions for sharing their time and experiences with us! Their love for Alaska’s wild waters and their commitment to creating unforgettable journeys truly stand out. If you’re looking to experience the breathtaking beauty of the Last Frontier in a unique and personal way, Seward Ocean Excursions is ready to take you there.
Contact Seward Ocean Excursions and schedule your tour today at: Contact Us – Seward Ocean Excursions
