Turnagain Arm Tour
Recommended by 97% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Anchorage, USA
- 5 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Why travelers loved this
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Overview
Experience the breathtaking landscape of the Turnagain Arm on a half-day tour with an informative guide. Ride along the scenic Seward Parkway to the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge and Beluga Point, stopping for photo ops and wildlife observation. Visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, a large nature preserve where injured animals are rehabilitated. Continue to the town of Girdwood, then travel up into the Chugach Mountains for another great vantage point on the Turnagain Arm. Includes round-trip transportation from Anchorage.
- Stop for photos and wildlife spotting at Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge and Beluga Point
- Observe Alaskan wild animals up close at Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
- Have lunch (not provided) in the quaint town of Girdwood near Mt. Alyeska
- Learn from the knowledgeable guide about Alaska's natural history and wildlife
What's Included
- Bottled water
- Snacks
- Gratuities
- Food and drinks, unless specified
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- William A. Egan Civic & Convention Center555 W 5th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501, USA
Our silver Mercedes Sprinter van will be parked along the curb in front of the Egan Center
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Operating hours.9:00 am
Itinerary
Start your day with pickup at your Anchorage hotel.
Head towards the Portage Valley as your guide shares informative commentary on the wildlife and history of Turnagain Arm and Chugach National Forest. Stop to look for wildlife such as caribou and moose, and snap photos at the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge and Beluga Point. All stops provide great views of the narrow Turnagain Arm waterway, which connects to the Gulf of Alaska and the Cook Inlet.
Visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, a wildlife reserve that rehabilitates orphaned and injured wild animals from the Chugach National Forest region, including caribou, elk, moose, musk ox, deer, bears, and bison—some of Alaska's biggest land animals. See the animals and birds of prey during your time at the center.
Next up, drive to Mt. Alyeska and purchase lunch at a favorite local spot in the picturesque ski resort town of Girdwood, which was once a mining town. Then ascend the road that climbs into the Chugach Mountains where you get for sweeping views of the Turnagain Arm.
Your tour comes to an end when your guide returns you to your Anchorage hotel.
Head towards the Portage Valley as your guide shares informative commentary on the wildlife and history of Turnagain Arm and Chugach National Forest. Stop to look for wildlife such as caribou and moose, and snap photos at the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge and Beluga Point. All stops provide great views of the narrow Turnagain Arm waterway, which connects to the Gulf of Alaska and the Cook Inlet.
Visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, a wildlife reserve that rehabilitates orphaned and injured wild animals from the Chugach National Forest region, including caribou, elk, moose, musk ox, deer, bears, and bison—some of Alaska's biggest land animals. See the animals and birds of prey during your time at the center.
Next up, drive to Mt. Alyeska and purchase lunch at a favorite local spot in the picturesque ski resort town of Girdwood, which was once a mining town. Then ascend the road that climbs into the Chugach Mountains where you get for sweeping views of the Turnagain Arm.
Your tour comes to an end when your guide returns you to your Anchorage hotel.
1
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
2 hours • Admission Ticket Free
2
Beluga Point
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Infants must sit on laps
- Infant seats available
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 11 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Susan_C
We were the only two on the tour. Christine got to know us before starting to see what we liked etc. She was an amazing tour guide!! She was very well-informed and knowledgeable about the area we went to. Christine cared that we had a good time. It was worth more than we paid. Christine is the bomb!
Reviews
4.9
based on 68 reviews
Carlton_B, Aug 2025
Eli, our guide, was the best. Knowledgeable. Funny, and thoughtful. Made are trip special by conforming it to us and our interests. Was very flexible on stops, and gave us the time needed to give us great memories.
Spawning salmon and beluga whales were the highlight. Learned a lot about Alaska, its habitat and wildlife.
Thank you Eli.
Pat, Patty, David and Carl
Barney_S, Jun 2025
Great scenic experience with good chances to see wildlife and other beautiful points of interest! Small group made it comfortable and personal.
Peg_R, Jun 2025
Beautiful scenery. Loved the animals. Christine the driver very knowledgeable and kind. Like the small group of 10 vs large bus full.
Jeanette_K, Jun 2025
This excursion was very personal and designed to what we wanted. Great experience. We are photographers, and she took that into consideration for where we stopped.
Susan_C, May 2025
We were the only two on the tour. Christine got to know us before starting to see what we liked etc. She was an amazing tour guide!! She was very well-informed and knowledgeable about the area we went to. Christine cared that we had a good time. It was worth more than we paid. Christine is the bomb!
Pauline_P, Nov 2024
Phil, our guide, was great. He was very easy going and we got to see Mt Denali and hiked to many viewpoints.
Beth_R, Sep 2024
Matt was an excellent tour guide. I was a bit disappointed we did not actually go into Girdwood. I was looking forward to that. Weather wasn’t the best but was a very good tour.
Jenni_C, Aug 2024
Great tour , Christina our guide was brilliant. Very informative and wanted us to enjoy our day and get the most out of it . She stopped at various scenic places and gave us lots of local information.The reserve was beautiful.
James_T, Aug 2024
Best local guide ever!!!! Easy to manuver in van and we stopped at all wildlife sightings. One of our best sight seeing tours we took in Alaska.
WAYNE_M, Jul 2024
Christina as a tour guide really added to the tour with a lot of interesting stories and facts. We thoroughly enjoyed the tour.
Cristina_C, Jul 2024
The Tournagain Arm tour was absolutely beautiful. Our guide Christina was very knowledgeable and was able to take us to some very picturesque spots for pictures and animal watching. We got to see wild sheep/goats and bald eagles on the drive. The Alaska Conservation was a very cool spot to see so many wonderful animals. Very glad I had a great guide that made my experience fun and memorable!
JOANN_W, Jul 2024
The tour guide Phil was very knowledgeable and ameinabl.
Van very comfortable. Seen abundance of wildlife.
Keith_B, Jul 2024
The scenery along the Seward Hwy is spectacular!! Our guide, Phil, was awesome. Very friendly, knowledgeable and super accommodating with special requests. As with anywhere in AK, prepare for all kinds of weather! Highly recommend this excursion!
Elise_K, Aug 2023
This tour offered a bit of everything iconic about Alaska. The small group (8) was the perfect size. We were able to stop at various points to see all sorts of wildlife—beluga whales, moose, sheep, salmon. Plus blueberry picking. Our guide,Phil, was knowledgeable and informative. It was truly spectacular!
Janet_F, Aug 2023
Matt( The RN) was a very excellent and knowledgeable guide. He made us experience wading in glacial waters, short hike to waterfalls, and made the trip fun with a game ( ice cream for a price).I highly recommend Matt as your tour guide. Thanks Matt and God bless!
Lisa_W, Jul 2023
Ladies, don’t wait to potty at Flat Rock. 🥴 Toilet facilities were abhorrent. That was the only negative of the trip.
Phil was so knowledgeable and able to answer most of our questions. The weather cooperated and we had a beautiful tour!
Kimberly_B, Jul 2023
Our guide Matt was fantastic. He was very knowledgeable about the area and was able to give a real 'local feel'. All of my family really enjoyed our tour and would consider using Viator for future travel experiences.
Kathy_J, Jun 2023
The whole day was awesome, we saw the most beautiful scenery. Phil our guide was very knowledgeable and was able to give us so much history and and fun facts about Alaska. Highly recommend.
David_K, Jun 2023
Our guide & driver, Phil, was beyond amazing! He was like having your best friend show you around. His knowledge was spectacular, & his driving was impeccable. He went far beyond our expectations, showing us the beauty of the Turnagain Arm area outside of Anchorage. Thanks, Phil, for making our day with you an awesome one in every way! Highly, highly recommend the tour & Phil!
April_H, Jun 2023
Had a wonderful guide. Phil knew so much about each stop we made. We would highly recommend this tour. Ranks as one of the best we have ever taken.
Dan_M, Aug 2022
Great tour wildlife and scenic. Matt the tour guide was fantastic. very knowledgeable and friendly. We have been on many tours and you will not find a better guide
Steven_G, Jul 2022
We thoroughly enjoyed the day traveling on the Seward Parkway visiting the Portage Glacier, the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center and Flattop Mountain. Our guide was knowledgable, patient and up beat. We spent a delightful day in breath taking scenery with interesting and friendly traveling companions.
Lou_W, Jul 2022
Wish we would have spent more time in the back country, or the town we were going to go to etc, and less time at the rehab shelter😊😊😊
Response from Host, Jul 2022
Thanks for your review. This 5 hour tour offers stops along the Seward Highway, the Wildlife Conservation Center (2-hours); Chugach State Park Overlook and covers all sights along the Turnagain Arm. This tour does not advertise any visits to any town nor does it take you into the backcountry. This would be a different tour. We hope that you enjoyed your time in Alaska!
Thanks for choosing us!
Franziska_K, Jun 2022
We had a wonderful time during this tour, viewing so many wonderful places without it feeling rushed.
Terry_C, Jun 2022
Matt made the trip very enjoyable. Would have liked more time at the Alaskan Wildlife Conservation Centre.
Warren_M, Jun 2022
The Portage Glacier was beautiful. Enjoyed coming in so close.
Lunch? at Wildlife place was not so great.
Hal_C, Jun 2022
This tour was well spaced between activities and transportation: A beautiful drive to Beluga point with a nature talk; couple of hours at the AK conservation center which was up close w many animals, then finishing at Glen Alps for sensational views of Inlet and mountains. Highly recommended. Kids would also love this.
Jacob_S, Sep 2021
I have to mention that the tour guide was not wearing a mask. That was not my preference, especially with Delta becoming a huge threat. But other than that, the tour was amazing! The guide was extremely knowledgeable and took us to a number of off-the-beaten-path locations. Maybe my favorite tour of the trip!
Jane_K, Jul 2021
My husband and I had a great experience on our viator trip. We went to Turnagain Arms and an animal conservation center. It was a very beautiful,scenic tour. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and told us many things about the areas we visited.
We enjoyed the trip very much
Alex_P, Jul 2021
Seeing the Turnagain tidal bore
Albert, our guide, timed it just right
He did a great job in explaining the phenomenon as well as the geography, history & wildlife
Response from Host, Jul 2021
Alex,
Thank you so much for your kind words. I appreciate the review and also for choosing us for your day trip. Glad you enjoyed your tour.
Thanks for visiting Alaska!
From $159.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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