14 Wildlife Trips to Build a Day Around

1.Kenai Fjords National Park Glacier & Wildlife Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,756 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $265Our pick

From Seward, Major Marine Tours takes you about 100 miles through Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjords National Park. Look for Holgate or Aialik Glacier, seabirds at Chiswell Islands, and whales, otters, puffins, and sea lions. Captain Lara and the naturalist team provide narration, binoculars, coffee, and lunch.

“Amazing experience, professional crew, incredibly attentive, immaculately clean vessel. You can’t go wrong”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Kenai Fjords and Resurrection Bay Half-Day Wildlife Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,156 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $165

From Seward Harbor, you’ll cruise about 55 miles through Resurrection Bay toward Bear Glacier and Cape Resurrection. Expect captain-led narration, loaner binoculars, coffee and tea, and a chance to spot orcas, humpback whales, sea otters, Steller sea lions, puffins, eagles, and mountain goats. Dress for wind and rain.

“Great experience. I recommend dressing in layers . The crew was helpful and the captain was very informative about all the things we saw .”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Kenai Fjords National Park Glacier & Wildlife Tour from Seward

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,036 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $223

Spend six hours cruising from Seward through Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjords National Park. Your captain explains the ice, geology, and wildlife while you watch for whales, orcas, puffins, seals, sea otters, and calving glaciers. A warm cabin, lunch, and accessible vessel make this a practical full-day outing.

“We saw whales & wildlife & waterfalls & glaciers! What a great tour. The crew netted an iceberg & made drinks for us. So much fun!”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Milford Sound: Wildlife & Nature Cruises

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 513 reviews · 2 hours · from $92

Cruise Milford Sound’s full length aboard The Haven, The Mariner, or The Sovereign. Your skipper adjusts the route for weather and wildlife, while English-speaking guides point out seals, dolphins, penguins, waterfalls, and glacial rock. Bring rain gear, and arrive early for parking and check-in.

“Beautiful scenery and enough time to take some awesome pictures along the way. Very polite friendly staff. (Be prepared to pay approx $40 for parking).”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Tromso Snowshoeing – Valley, Fjord Views, Wildlife, Meal & Pickup

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 398 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $129

Leave Tromsø with guides such as Max, Isaac, Gerard, or Anna for a four-and-a-half-hour Arctic hike. Snowshoe or walk based on conditions, look for reindeer and moose, enjoy lunch with fjord views, and receive free photos afterward.

“The weather was very windy so half way along the walk our guide sensibly diverted to a lower more sheltered walk. We were very well looked after, had lovely drinks and snacks and really enjoyed our trip.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Fjord, Mountain and Wildlife Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 229 reviews · 4 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $123

Travel west from Tromsø with a guide such as Abdul or Mansoor, stopping at Kvaløysletta, Kaldfjord, Ersfjord, and Grøtfjord for mountain and fjord views. Thermal suits, hot chocolate, cake, and a minibus ride are included, but winter boots are not.

“The meeting place was not well defined. We walked past it, because google map says to continue. Good we bumped into a local who was on wheelchair and he rushed moving out his way to show us where the meeting place is. Upon returning to it, there was a couple also waiting for the same tour.our driver was about 10 minutes late. Made no apology. But he was a tremendous knowledgeable guide, who knew where to shoot a good view and video. The fjords we visited were magnificent and breath taking views and sceneries. Some are frozen, some are not. Brackish water are usually frozen, an unforgettable exoedition”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.From Tromsø: Arctic Wildlife & Fjord Sightseeing Tour by Car

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 224 reviews · 6 hours · from $220

Travel from Tromsø to Kvaløya and Sommarøy in a small group of up to eight, guided by local drivers such as Adrian, Erik, Fabian, and Stefan. Expect fjord views, frequent photo stops, Arctic wildlife chances, Sami and Norwegian stories, and lunch at Sommarøy Arctic Hotel.

“A great excursion, would highly recommend. Our guide Stefan was friendly and informative, he allowed us as much time as we needed at each stop. The vehicle was comfortable. We managed a range of birds, otters and even an orca. A great way to see the fjords and a chance of seeing some nice wildlife.”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Tromsø: Fjord Adventure Tour with Wildlife and Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 119 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $127

Spend six hours with Hello Tromsø exploring fjords, islands, frozen lakes, and mountain viewpoints. Guides such as Andreas and Johannes share local stories, help with photos, and serve a rustic lunch with hot drinks. Wildlife is possible but never guaranteed.

“Nice opportunity to see the fjords and learn a little about the area with knowledgeable guides. The hike at the end was definitely my favorite even though it was bitter cold the day we went.”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Explore the Norwegian Fjords and the Wildlife from Abisko.

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 109 reviews · 6 hours · from $176

Join photographer and wildlife guide Jesús from Abisko for a six-hour trip to uncrowded Norwegian fjords. Routes change with weather and sightings, and groups of up to eight search for reindeer, moose, porpoises, eagles, foxes, and other Arctic wildlife. All tour photos are included.

“It was great! The view is incredible. We saw a lot of wildlife animals.”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Seward: Kenai Fjords National Park Glacier & Wildlife Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 76 reviews · 6 hours · from $223

Spend six hours aboard a heated, wheelchair-accessible boat from Seward, with panoramic windows, open-air decks, a hot burrito lunch, and a guide who explains glaciers, geology, and wildlife. Expect seabird cliffs, Harding Icefield views, and a real chance to see whales, otters, seals, and sea lions.

“Staff was knowledgeable and friendly. We saw tail whales, dalls porpoises, steller sea lions, seals, otters. Best chocolate chip cookies to end the cruise. Would do again!”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Milford Sound: Waterfalls, Wildlife, and Rainforest Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 65 reviews · 1h 45m · from $83Best value

Cruise Milford Sound for 105 minutes aboard the Maiden of Milford, with three viewing decks, live commentary, close views of Stirling Falls, and chances to spot seals, dolphins, and Fiordland crested penguins. Snacks, coffee, and drinks are available on board.

“Excellent. Great vessel. Lots of room to move around. Tasty coffee and snacks. Very informative commentary from Captain.”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Explore the Norwegian Fjords and the Wildlife From Abisko

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 55 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $181

Join Jesús of Northern Wilds Expeditions for a six-hour drive from Abisko, Björkliden, or Riksgränsen into Norway. The route changes with weather and recent sightings, with chances to spot reindeer, moose, foxes, ptarmigans, owls, eagles, porpoises, and dolphins.

“Amazing experience driving through Norwegian Fjords. Stunning scenery and views. Saw Jupiter in the sky. Jesus was a great guide and very informative”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Arctic Wildlife and Fjord Sightseeing

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 50 reviews · 5 to 6 hours (approx.) · from $226

Travel from Tromsø to Kvaløya and Sommarøy in a small group of up to eight, with guides such as Eric, Erik, and Stefan. Expect fjords, beaches, fishing villages, reindeer-searching, photo stops, local stories, and a relaxed lunch break.

“Norwegian Arctic life is incredibly scenic. However, I specifically asked whether this tour would visit all 10 locations listed in the itinerary. I was told 'yes' in the chat, so I proceeded to pay. Unfortunately, the tour did not cover all 10 places as promised. They offered some excuses instead. I suggest you think carefully before booking this tour—it ended at Sommarøy Island, which other, much cheaper tours also visit.”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Half-Day Scenic Wildlife & Photographic Fjord Tour.

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 50 reviews · 4 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $193

Travel from Tromsø to Kvaløya for four hours of fjord scenery, wildlife watching, folklore, and photography tips. Guides Marianne, Stig, and George know the area well, and the group is limited to seven. Wildlife is possible but never guaranteed, and changing weather shapes the day.

“An excellent way to find good spots for landscape & wildlife with an experienced photographer. The weather has a significant impact on the chances of really good images so this should be borne in mind when booking.”

Check availability →Read our full review