Turnagain Arm

Turnagain Arm

Nature, Parks, & Gardens • Anchorage, Alaska United States

Turnagain Arm in Anchorage, Alaska, is a breathtaking natural wonder that attracts visitors from around the world with its stunning landscapes and rich wildlife. This unique body of water stretches for over 40 miles, flanked by the majestic Chugach Mountains on one side and the vast mudflats on the other. The ever-changing tidal dynamics of Turnagain Arm create a mesmerizing spectacle as the water ebbs and flows, revealing expansive mudflats where beluga whales can often be seen swimming gracefully.

Nature enthusiasts flock to Turnagain Arm to witness the diverse array of wildlife that call this place home. Birdwatchers can spot bald eagles soaring overhead, while photographers capture stunning shots of moose wandering through the surrounding forests. The nearby Chugach State Park offers endless opportunities for hiking, biking, and wildlife viewing, making Turnagain Arm a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts.

Visitors to Turnagain Arm can also explore the numerous parks and gardens that dot the landscape, offering peaceful sanctuaries amidst the rugged wilderness. From the Alaska Botanical Garden with its colorful array of native plants to the lush Beluga Point Park that provides stunning views of the Arm, there is something for every nature lover to enjoy.

Whether marveling at the natural beauty, embarking on a thrilling outdoor adventure, or simply relaxing in a peaceful garden setting, Turnagain Arm offers a truly unforgettable experience in the heart of the Alaskan wilderness.

51°F

High: 53°F / Low: 49°F
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$375 Tour Provided by Viator
5.00 (37 reviews)

Private Scenic Turnagain Arm Glacier Tour from Anchorage

Experience Alaska your way on this fully private and customizable tour. Enjoy the freedom to set your own pace, request photo stops, and personalize the day to match your interests. As your local guide and photographer, I’ll capture the highlights—scenic views, wildlife encounters, and candid group moments—then send you a curated gallery of edited photos. When people picture Alaska, they imagine wild animals, towering mountains, and endless glaciers. Turnagain Arm offers all of that—just a short, scenic drive from Anchorage. This breathtaking inlet is famous for its massive tides, rugged mountain backdrops, and the rare bore tide, where a single wave sweeps across the entire inlet. We’ll journey the Seward Highway, one of North America’s most scenic drives. The road hugs the coastline, offering endless views and chances to spot moose, bald eagles, Dall sheep, and potenitally beluga whales. With private transportation and a flexible itinerary, this is about making the most it.

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$189 Tour Provided by Viator
5.00 (26 reviews)

Ultimate Anchorage Winter Wildlife & Sunset Tour

All the charm of the Winter Wonderland that is Alaska, without the hassle of driving yourself! Whether your on a solo adventure (don't worry, we have no guest minimum, so we won't cancel even if you're the only one) or traveling with a group, relax and enjoy as we wind down the breathtaking Turnagain Arm on our way to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. Once there, we'll meander the 1.5 mile loop through 200 picturesque acres of animal enclosures and learn about the various wildlife. Our boutique tours are guaranteed to delight people of all ages, as you take in the history of the area, encounter our indigenous wildlife and marvel at the beauty of The Last Frontier on the glorious sunset drive back to Anchorage! With our small groups of 8 or less and the option to cancel if the weather inhibits the enjoyment of the tour, you'll get a personalized experience like no other! Book direct and save!

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$1657 Tour Provided by Viator
5.00 (14 reviews)

Whittier to Anchorage Cruise Transfer and Private Tour

Welcome to Alaska! Combine this amazing, full-day tour with your cruise ship transfer to make the most of your Alaskan vacation. Experience the best parts of Whittier, Portage Valley, Turnagain Arm, and Anchorage with local guide. Please note: Pricing is per tour, not per guest. Order "1" adult for all ages and group sizes from 1 to 12 guests

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$1288 Tour Provided by Viator
5.00

Turnagain Arm and Portage Valley Private Tour

Explore the beautiful Turnagain Arm and Portage Valley with a private and local guide. From Anchorage, we'll travel along the scenic Seward Highway. One of only 13 highways in the US with the distinction of "All American Road". Along the way we will have great opportunities to view and photograph wildlife and scenic vistas. First we stop at the beautiful Hotel Alyeska and the ski town of Girdwood. Take an optional scenic tram to the top of Mt Alyeska for lunch with a view. Next stop Portage, where you will board the mv Ptarmigan for an optional one-hour cruise across the stunning scenery of iceberg-dotted Portage Lake. After the cruise, stop in at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving Alaska's wildlife. Afterwards, head back to Anchorage and enjoy a narrated city tour including all the best dining places.

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$1952 Tour Provided by Viator
5.00

Anchorage to Seward Cruise Transfer and Private Tour

Welcome to Alaska! Combine this amazing, full-day tour with your cruise ship transfer to make the most of your Alaskan vacation. Experience the best parts of the Seward Highway, scenic Turnagain Arm, and Anchorage with a fun-loving, passionate local guide.

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$389 Tour Provided by Viator
5.00

NEW: Turnagain Arm: Glacier Cruise, Wildlife Center & Aerial Tram

The Turnagain Arm Full-Day Tour is an easy-going journey along one of the world's most scenic highways. It’s designed for those who prefer breathtaking scenery and wildlife encounters over long, steep mountain hikes. This trip offers many scenic photo opportunities, so bring a camera and get ready to capture some of Alaska’s must-do experiences, all in one day The three stops include 1) Portage Glacier Cruise! 2) Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center! 3) Alyeska Aerial Tram Come join us for an unforgettable full-day tour down the Turnagain Arm.

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$17 Tour Provided by Viator
5.00

Self Guided Driving Audio Tour: Anchorage to Seward

Download GuideAlong’s self-guided driving audio tour of the Seward Highway as you drive between Anchorage and Seward. Visit Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, ride the Alyeska Aerial Tram (Girdwood), stop at Tern Lake and Summit Lake, and walk to Exit Glacier near Kenai Fjords National Park. Along the way, hear stories of Native cultures, earthquakes, salmon runs, and Turnagain Arm wildlife, and audio plays automatically as you drive. Start anywhere, either direction. Enjoy the freedom to explore offline at your own pace, spending more time at places that interest you and bypassing any that don’t. Stories, tips, and directions play automatically based on your location Travel at your own pace Tour offline using GPS. No cell service or WiFi is needed Suggested itineraries for half, full, or multi-day use No time limits or expiry, and free updates Like having a tour guide along for the drive Purchase one tour per vehicle.

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$575 Tour Provided by Viator
5.00

Wildlife Conservation Center and Portage Glacier Lake Viewing

This is an amazing way to be guaranteed to see many of Alaska's most sought after wildlife in a safe and animal friendly park! The bears are adorable, but trust me, seeing a bear in the wild can be a pretty intimidating. Much of Alaska's wildlife you will never see and even the moose, which are super common, visitors can go days or even weeks without seeing one and sometimes you'll see a few in any given day but visiting Alaska's Wildlife Conservation Center guarantees you'll see these animals and so many more! Licensed by Alaska's Transportation Department, this is for 3 - 10 people because of the way the Viator commissions and Park fees work, if you are just one or two people you can still book the tour but I need to charge for 3 - 10 people to make it feasible, if that makes sense.

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$1475 Tour Provided by Viator
5.00

Up to 10 Person Choose Your Own Adventure from Anchorage Alaska

This is very much a choose your own adventure day in and around Anchorage, Alaska! We can see and do many of the popular things within driving distance of Anchorage. If you want to do a city tour combined with Potters Marsh Bird Sanctuary and then on to the Tram to the top of Alyeska resort for amazing views, then we can do that. Of if you would like to go see a few of the different cities near Anchorage we go on a city tour, and have lunch in Girdwood, checkout Whittier and go all the way around to Hope, Alaska! This is one of the best ways to truly make your own itinerary and I'll drive and narrate throughout the trip! I have done 100's of tours for multiple companies out here and aim to make your trip enjoyable and memorable! Other options include the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, or hikes near anchorage. (I know a couple great ones!) And so much more!

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$800 Tour Provided by Viator
5.00

Private AKMUDITUP ATV Experience

Ride ATVs aggressively through muddy tidal flats. Control your own ATV on a high intensity adventure. Drive your own ATV or add a passenger on back. Motorsports and outdoor experience recommended. Mandatory participation in recovery's and safety.

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Interesting Places Nearby

Planning the perfect vacation? There are a ton of great places to explore. Checkout out these exciting locations and places near Turnagain Arm.