The Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward, Alaska offers an unrivaled, up-close and personal experience with Alaska sea life and Gulf of Alaska marine wildlife.
Seward, AK
Ididaride Dog Mushing Tour Chosen as one of Alaska's top 20 attractions, a must do for all Alaska visitors.
Your Seward Dog Mushing adventure begins with a two-mile dog sled ride. Feel the power, excitement, and energy of sled dogs as they are harnessed to the comfortable wheeled dog sled. Upon returning to the kennel you'll tour the Seavey's family kennel facilities, laugh as a guest is dressed up as an Iditarod musher, and cuddle adorable husky puppies. Your guides are all Iditarod racers, and offer a delightfully humorous, behind-the-scenes look at the Seavey family's training for the most demanding dog mushing race on earth, the Iditarod.
The Real Alaska Tour
Seward, Alaska This Seward tour package features all the attractions that truly make Alaska the Greatland. First, your guide shows you the sights of Seward. Learn why Seward was known as "the Gateway to Alaska" and "Mile 0" of the Iditarod Trail. See first-hand the effects of the 1964 Earthquake. Then, head out to Exit Glacier and enjoy a short walk along the nature trail that takes you to the face of the glacial ice. Watch for mountain goats, moose and bears. A hearty lunch will be served before you travel to the Seavey homestead and experience IdidaRide's Sled Dog tour. At the end your driver will return you to your hotel, cruise ship or the Alaska Railroad depot. All local transportation and lunch are included in this package.
The Alaska SeaLife Center is a non-profit marine science facility dedicated to understanding and maintaining the integrity of the marine ecosystem of Alaska through research, rehabilitation and public education. The Center's research facilities and naturalistic exhibits immerse visitors in the dynamic marine ecosystems of Alaska and provide opportunities to watch animals in naturalistic habitats as well as research settings. Alaska SeaLife Center Aquarium Tour Map
The Alaska Sea Life Center offers an unrivaled, up-close and personal experience with Gulf of Alaska marine wildlife. Witness a 2000+ pound Steller sea lion gliding past underwater viewing windows, puffins diving in a carefully crafted naturalistic habitat, and harbor seals resting on rocky beaches. Alaskan king crab, sea stars, and the Giant Pacific octopus also await you, as well as a whole variety of intertidal creatures and deep sea fishes.
Getting To The Alaska SeaLife Center
The Alaska SeaLife Center is located in spectacular Seward, Alaska, just 125 miles south of Anchorage. You can reach Seward by road or Backcountry Safaris would be happy to add bus or transportation on the Alaska Railroad to Seward as well as overnight lodging in Seward with your Alaska SeaLife Center visit.
Related Seward and Kenai Fjords National Park Links
November 1, 2007 - February 29, 2008, Thursday - Monday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m
March 1, 2008 - April 30, 2008, Open 7 days a week, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
May 1, 2008 - September 15, 2008, Open 7 days a week, 9 a.m - 7 p.m.
Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas
Opens at noon on New Year's Day (January 1st)
Free wheelchairs and strollers are available for those touring the Center.
2008 General Admission Rates
Self-Guided Tour Watch puffins fly through underwater skies and meet sea lions and harbor seals eye to eye. Our engaging exhibits will immerse visitors in the marine ecosystem of Alaska and provide opportunities to watch animals in naturalistic habitats and research settings. Guests can explore the Center at a leisurely pace while enjoying daily lectures and activities. Alaska SeaLife Center Aquarium Tour Map
Adults: $20
Students (12-17 or with ID): $15
Children (4-11): $10
Infants (0-3): FREE
Free wheelchairs and strollers are available for those touring the Center.
Add A Behind The Scene Guided Tour
* Please note that general admission ticket must also be purchased in addition to the behind the scene tour package ticket.
Behind the Scenes Guided Tour * Go beyond the public exhibit areas of the Center and take advantage of the unique opportunity to investigate the different labs where scientists conduct research. You will get an in-depth perspective on the Center's past and ongoing marine wildlife research and rehabilitation projects.
For ages 13+. $12 per person. Max of 10 people.
Octopus Experience Guided Tour * Learn about the unique anatomy and behavior of the Giant Pacific Octopus as you get an up-close and personal experience with this mysterious animal.
For ages 10+ $49 per person. Max of 4 people.
Puffin Encounter Guided Tour * Help feed our seabirds inside their avian habitat while learning interesting facts about our flock of seabirds, including our favorite diving birds, the Tufted Puffin and Horned Puffin.
For Ages 10+ $49 per person. Max of 4 people.
Twilight Tour Imagine being the only guests in the SeaLife Center! This program takes place after closing so you have your very own private program. After enjoying a picnic style dinner among our marine animals, an interpreter will walk you through our facility. Includes a discounted rate at a local hotel and admission to the SeaLife Center the next day. (includes the general admission ticket)
WHEN YOU'RE READY TO GO!Fill out the secure on-line reservation form or call our office at (907) 222-1632 or toll-free (877) 812-2159. Reservation requires a 50% deposit. We accept payment by VISA/MasterCard. You will receive a pre-trip packet detailing the itinerary of the tour you have chosen and an equipment list. Reservation and Payment Terms)
Last minute reservations may be available so don't hesitate to contact us. If a trip has space, we can get you on it.
Limitations of liability:
Although every precaution is taken to safeguard you and your belongings, our adventure trips involve inherent risks and dangers which are beyond our control and Backcountry Safaris shall assume no responsibility for personal injuries or deaths and loss of personal property. Due to the nature of the activities, a condition of your participation is that you will read and sign the acknowledgment and Release of Liability before the tour begins.
We highly recommend that you consider purchasing travel insurance. Travel insurance coverage can help with expenses for the unforeseeable such as lost baggage trip delays, emergency evacuation, and cancellation due to illness.
We use independent contractors to supply Backcountry Safaris with various services on many of our adventures. Some trips require us to use independent tour guides, drivers, lodges and hotels, air and water taxis, and other suppliers. Because we do not own, operate, manage, control, or supervise these suppliers, we cannot be liable for any acts or omissions on their part, including any negligence, gross negligence, or reckless or willful acts. Backcountry Safaris assumes no responsibility for any injury, loss, damage, delay, or death to person or property arising from the negligent or willful act or failure to act of any person who is to or does provide goods or services for this trip or for the action or inaction of any other third party. Without limitation, Backcountry Safaris is not responsible for acts of God, equipment failures, vehicle or vessel accidents, illness from food or otherwise, annoyance, delays, failure of any means of conveyance to arrive or depart as scheduled, and changes in transit or hotel and lodge services over which it has no control. We make occasional changes in trip itineraries for the comfort and well being of our guests. We will keep you informed of any necessary changes in a timely fashion.
On payment of your deposit to Backcountry Safaris, you agree to be bound by the above terms and conditions.
Backcountry Safaris P.O. Box 231121 • Anchorage, Alaska USA 99523 1-907-222-1632 or toll-free 1-877-812-2159
Backcountry Safaris is a member of the following trade and travel organizations:
Alaska Sea Life
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Steller Sea Lion The Steller sea lion lives in the north Pacific Ocean and is the largest eared seals. Sea lions differ from other seals because they have external ears and rear flippers which turn forward allowing them to "walk" with a gait similar to land mammals.
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Harbor Seal The harbor seal is found widely in both the north Atlantic and Pacific oceans and is widely found in coastal areas of Alaska. An average adult weighs around 180 pounds, compared to upwards of 1200 pounds for a male Stellar sea lion. Harbor seals compete with commercial fishermen in Alaska for salmon.
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Alaska King Crabs King crabs have five pairs of legs - the first right claw is usually the largest. A red king crab can live 20 to 30 years and may grow to 10 to 20 pounds. The leg span of a large king crab is nearly 5 feet across.
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Giant Pacific Octopus The giant Pacific octopus is found in nearly all Alaskan waters. Most of the octopus caught in Alaska is primarily incidentally caught while fishing for other species and some is then used for bait in the halibut and cod fisheries. The giant Pacific octopus is able to solve mazes very quickly and unscrew jar lids to retrieve food inside the jar - obviously an intelligent creature! They can grow to 600 pounds but most range between 50 and 90 pounds.
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Puffins Horned and tufted puffins are the most popular Alaska seabirds and are easy to recognize with their large colorful bills and comical looks, especially after you see dozens of them depicted on t-shirts and as stuff toys in the local gift shops. The SeaLife Center offers a wonderful opportunity to see puffins "flying" under water and is a highlight of any visit to the Center.
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Wildlife Notebook Series Want to learn more about Alaska's wildlife? The Alaska Department of Fish and Game's Wildlife Notebook Series web site is a great place to start.
The Alaska SeaLife Center is a non-profit marine science facility dedicated to understanding and maintaining the integrity of the marine ecosystem of Alaska through research, rehabilitation and public education. The Center's research facilities and naturalistic exhibits immerse visitors in the dynamic marine ecosystems of Alaska and provide opportunities to watch animals in naturalistic habitats as well as research settings. 
Puffin Encounter Guided Tour *
