Orca Quest Cruise
See the orcas that frequent Resurrection Bay.
Rather than follow a set route, every Orca Quest Cruise charts a unique course. The goal? To discover where orcas in Resurrection Bay have been spotted that day. And along the way? Beautiful bay views of sea spires and glaciers, plus a bounty of other marine wildlife to admire.
They breach and slap tails, sometimes even curiously survey nearby boats.
The cruise begins at the Seward Small Boat Harbor where guests board their boat in the early afternoon. On the ride out guests learn that it's resident orcas that are most commonly seen. They feed on fish and, when the eating is good, can be quite playful. They breach and slap tails, sometimes even curiously survey nearby boats. Day cruise boat captains are quite familiar with the resident type and are often able to identify family pods and even individual orcas.
When conditions allow, the crew drops a hydrophone into the water to broadcast orca calls over the boat's loudspeaker. Their chirps and coos, hoots and chatters make the experience all the more thrilling. After a few hours scouting for orcas in Resurrection Bay, the cruise concludes with a return trip to Seward.
The Orca Quest Cruise lasts four hours. Along with resident and possibly transient orcas, wildlife sightings on the cruise may include humpback whales, Harbor seals, Steller sea lions, otters, eagles, seabirds, and land-bound animals like mountain goats and black bears.
The tour boat has exterior decks, a covered awning, and heated indoor cabin space. Complimentary coffee, tea, and water are provided on board. Additional snacks, hot and cold drinks, and adult beverages are available for purchase.
Early May temps can be quite chilly. To make the most of views and fresh air on the exterior decks, it is important to dress in layers for this tour. Bring a rain jacket, hat, and gloves and wear warm base layers and rubber-soled shoes. Be sure to bring a camera and binoculars. If seasickness is a concern, err on the side of caution and take motion sickness medicine in advance. Dramamine, Bonine, and ginger chews are available for purchase onboard.
Check in at the boat tour office located in the Harbor 360 Hotel. The tour office provides luggage storage if needed.
Several local hotels provide shuttle service to the Small Boat Harbor. For self-drivers, parking is available across the street from the Harbor 360 Hotel or one block south of the South Harbor Office on 4th Avenue. There is $10 charge per vehicle per day.
Here are the rates and operating dates for this product. Remember, we have a lowest price guarantee for nearly everything we sell.
| Dates | Adult | Child | Infant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5/8/23 (M) to 6/11/23 (Su)5/8/23 (M) to 6/11/23 (Su) | Adult: $119.00 | Child: $59.50 | Infant: $0.00 |
| The rates above do not include taxes/fees of 7% plus $3.50 and are subject to change without notice. | |||
Departure times and locations are listed below. Click on a link for an interactive map.
| Depart | Location |
|---|---|
| Depart: 12:30 PM | Location: Harbor 360 Hotel |
Select a departure below to see current availability. If your desired date is sold out (red) we will do our best to find an alternative, but we may not be able to accommodate your request.
