Top Ten Kenai Peninsula Activities
1. Prince William Sound & Whittier Glacier Cruises
There are several long-established glacier cruise companies departing from the ports of Seward and Whittier, offering a variety of daily tours into Kenai Fjords National Park and Prince William Sound.
These excursions are famous for their stunning mountain-to-sea glaciers, abundant marine life, and dramatic coastal scenery. Along the way, you’ll likely encounter whales, orcas, sea lions, harbor seals, and countless seabirds. Keep your eyes peeled for black bears or mountain goats along the steep coastal cliffs.
Cruise durations vary depending on the season and operator, and many tours include onboard meal service or refreshments. Whether you’re looking for a half-day sightseeing tour or a full-day glacier adventure, this is one of the most breathtaking ways to experience Alaska’s coastal wilderness.
Top Glacier Cruise Operators:
1. Kenai Fjords Tours – Seward
2. Major Marine Tours – Seward
3. Phillips Cruises and Tours – Whittier
2. Hike to Exit Glacier
A hike to Exit Glacier is a fun, do-it-yourself adventure that lets you see a glacier up close and gain a firsthand look at how dramatically Alaska’s glaciers have receded over the past 50–100 years.
Originating from the Harding Icefield in the Kenai Mountains, Exit Glacier is located less than a 15-minute drive from Seward. The area features a well-maintained trail system and an informative Nature Center managed by the National Park Service.
Two popular hiking options include:
Exit Glacier provides an accessible and educational experience for visitors of all ages.
For more information, visit the National Park Service’s Exit Glacier page.
3. Jet Ski to a Glacier
For those looking to add a dose of adrenaline to their Alaska adventure, a Jet Ski Glacier Tour is an unforgettable experience. This relatively new activity has become increasingly popular in recent summers, earning rave reviews from visitors who’ve tried it.
Offered by Alaska Wild Guides in Whittier, the Glacier Jet Ski Tour is a four-hour guided excursion aboard your own SEADOO personal watercraft. You’ll navigate the fjords from Whittier to Blackstone Bay and back, passing towering cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and several magnificent tidewater glaciers along the way.
The tour offers an incredible perspective of Alaska’s coastal wilderness—complete with close-up views of glaciers and abundant marine life, including seals, sea otters, and seabirds—all from the unique vantage point of a high-performance Jet Ski.
For more information, visit Alaska Wild Guides
4. Sea Kayaking from Seward, Whittier, or Homer
For those seeking a slower and more peaceful way to experience Alaska’s vibrant coastline, sea kayaking offers an incredible opportunity to connect with the ocean and its surrounding wilderness.
Launching from Seward, Whittier, or Homer, you can explore calm, protected waters in Prince William Sound or Resurrection Bay, gliding quietly beneath towering cliffs and past cascading waterfalls.
With both single and double ocean kayaks available, these stable and stealthy craft allow you to move effortlessly across the water—perfect for observing marine wildlife such as sea otters, seals, puffins, and even whales, all while surrounded by Alaska’s breathtaking coastal scenery.
5. Swanson River Canoe Trails
For those seeking a more adventurous, hands-on Alaska experience, the Swanson River Canoe Trails offer an unforgettable way to explore the Kenai Peninsula’s interior wilderness.
Located within the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, this system of interconnected lakes and portages is perfect for paddlers ready to break a sweat, swat a few mosquitoes, and experience the solitude of Alaska’s boreal forest.
You can plan a day trip to one of the many road-accessible lakes—or go all in with a multi-day paddle across a series of lakes connected by short portages. Local canoe rental shops can provide both gear and maps for navigating the Swanson River or Swan Lake trail systems.
Don’t forget to bring a fishing rod—most of these lakes are home to healthy populations of rainbow trout and dolly varden.
For more details about the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge’s canoe systems, visit:
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service – Paddling the Kenai Wilderness
6. Hike to Upper Russian River Falls
When some people hear about the Russian River, they think of combat-style sockeye fishing, but others know it for its tremendous natural beauty. This fast-moving, crystal-clear mountain river fills with salmon each summer, and the hike to the Russian River Falls offers a rewarding way to experience it. The well-maintained U.S. Forest Service trail begins at the newly refurbished Russian River Campground, located at Mile 52 of the Sterling Highway. The trailhead sits about one mile from the campground entrance. This easy day hike is a 2.4-mile round trip to the falls and features a viewing platform where you can watch sockeye salmon staging and leaping up the falls. With a bit of luck, you may even spot a bear fishing for its next meal.
For more information, visit the U.S. Forest Service website
7. Drive Skilak Lake Loop
One of the most common questions we hear from visitors is, “Where can we go to see a bear or a moose?” The honest answer is—anywhere! But both of these Kenai Peninsula residents can be elusive. The thick boreal forests and vast wilderness provide countless hiding places for moose and bears alike.
One of the most scenic and wildlife-rich drives in the area is the Skilak Lake Loop, which connects to the Sterling Highway near Cooper Landing (milepost 57.8) and just west of Sterling (milepost 75.2). This 19-mile gravel loop road winds through the heart of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, offering excellent chances to spot wildlife. Along the way, you’ll find access to both the upper and lower Skilak Lake boat launches and campgrounds, as well as Hidden Lake and several beautiful hiking trails.
Early mornings and evenings are the best times to catch a glimpse of one of the many wild inhabitants of this scenic area.
8. Drive to Homer or Seward
If you’re looking for a great way to fill the day, take in more of the Kenai Peninsula, and explore our vibrant coastal communities, a drive from Soldotna to either Homer or Seward is an excellent choice. One of the many advantages of Soldotna’s location—besides being right on the Kenai River—is that it sits perfectly between the two destinations, with just about a 1.5-hour drive to each.
Seward, located on Resurrection Bay off Prince William Sound, offers spectacular mountain and ocean views, charming shops, and excellent restaurants all within walking distance of the boat harbor. The Alaska SeaLife Center is a must-visit attraction for both visitors and locals—it serves as an active marine rehabilitation facility as well as an educational center for the public.
Homer, found at the southern tip of the Kenai Peninsula, is known as the Halibut Fishing Capital of the World. It’s famous for its long sand spit extending into Kachemak Bay, its lively boat harbor, and its incredible mountain and ocean scenery. Don’t forget to stop by the world-famous Salty Dawg Saloon, where you might just find yourself sitting next to a captain from The Deadliest Catch!
9. Rafting the Upper Kenai
If you’ve always dreamed of floating the turquoise-green waters of the Kenai River, a half-day rafting trip on the Upper Kenai is the perfect way to experience it! Originating from Kenai Lake, the river flows roughly 17 miles before emptying into the upper end of Skilak Lake.
The Upper Kenai is divided into three main sections:
Kenai Lake to the Russian River (Sportsman’s Landing)
Sportsman’s Landing to Jim’s Landing
Jim’s Landing to Skilak Lake
The sections from Kenai Lake to Jim’s Landing feature fast-moving water with modest rapids—ideal for families and first-time rafters—while the stretch from Jim’s Landing to Skilak Lake runs through a scenic canyon with exciting Class III+ rapids.
All three sections are available through local outfitters based in Cooper Landing, including Alaska Wildland Adventures, Alaska River Company, and Alaska River Adventures. Whether you’re after a relaxing scenic float or an adrenaline-filled canyon run, rafting the Upper Kenai is an unforgettable Alaskan experience.
10. Whitewater Rafting – Six Mile Creek near Hope
For the adventurous traveler looking for an adrenaline-packed Alaskan experience, Six Mile Creek offers some of the best whitewater rafting in the state. Located about 75 miles south of Anchorage, this powerful glacial creek winds through the rugged Chugach Mountains before emptying into Cook Inlet near the historic mining town of Hope, Alaska.
The creek features thrilling Class IV and V rapids, making it a true whitewater challenge even for experienced rafters. Trips are typically divided into two separate sections based on difficulty and rapid class, allowing participants to choose the level of excitement they’re comfortable with.
Several professional outfitters offer guided rafting trips on Six Mile Creek, including:
Chugach Outdoor Center – Visit Website
NOVA Alaska Guides – Visit Website
Flow AK – Visit Website
Whether you’re a seasoned paddler or just looking to experience the raw power of Alaska’s whitewater, Six Mile Creek delivers a heart-pounding adventure surrounded by incredible mountain scenery.
