Resurrection Bay

The waters of Alaska are as beautiful as the mountain views, and Resurrection Bay is a pristine example of a thriving, protected marine ecosystem. Located on the Kenai Peninsula, Resurrection Bay is a fjord that has become one of the most popular spots in the area for boat tours and sightseeing of marine wildlife.

About Resurrection Bay

In its outer reaches, Resurrection Bay is also known as Blying Sound and Harding Gateway—the passage between the Cheval and Rugged Islands. The city of Seward is the main settlement located at the head of the bay, and it’s a landing spot for adventurers seeking to explore the waters and shores with tours and sightseeing opportunities.

Visiting Resurrection Bay

When you want to spend a day taking in the sites from Alaska’s waterways, Resurrection Bay should be the first stop on your adventure. From whale-watching to fishing to recreational boating and kayak tours, there’s plenty to keep you busy with a day at the bay.

History & Geography

Resurrection Bay first got its name from Alexandr Baranov, who retreated into the safety of the fjord during a storm in the Gulf of Alaska. The storm dissipated on Easter Sunday, leading to the naming of Resurrection Bay and nearby Resurrection River. A fur trade post established by Baranov in 1793 eventually grew into Seward by 1903, and it became the starting point of the original Iditarod Trail and the southernmost stop of the Alaska Railroad.

Surrounded by high mountains, Resurrection Bay is only five miles wide and 18 miles long. At its deepest point, it reaches 972 feet, making it a prime spot for spotting harbor seals, sea otters, humpback whales, and killer whales. Consisting of many deep fjords, estuaries, and coves, the unique geography of Resurrection Bay is heavily protected to maintain its delicate ecosystem.

Interesting Facts

How the bay got its name isn’t the only interesting fact about this beautiful marine region! As a prime location in southcentral Alaska, the bay area has long been used for defense, settlements, and navigation in the extreme Alaska landscape.

• Caines Head—the location of Fort McGilvray—is located in Resurrection Bay. As a fort built by the US Armed Forces to protect from Japanese invasion in WWII, it sits at 650 ft above sea level.
• Even in the long winter months, Resurrection Bay remains ice-free, making it easily navigable year-round.
• The bay is also referred to as the “gateway to the Kenai Fjords”, and visitors to the bay can take tours, boats, and water taxis from Seward to nearby Kenai Fjords National Park.
• Kenai Fjords National Park isn’t the only park the bay area offers. Caines Head State Recreation Area, Lowell Point State Recreation Site, and Thumb Cove State Marine Park are all nearby.

Points of Interest

Resurrection Bay has a reputation as a safe harbor in an often-brutal Alaskan wilderness, and it’s a must-see stop on your trip to Seward. With plenty of recreational opportunities, abundant marine wildlife, and unparalleled views of the surrounding snow-capped mountains, the bay continues to be a refuge of adventure and beauty in southcentral Alaska.

View all of our Seward tours and things to do in Seward. Find all of our Resurrection Bay tours here.