Bore Tide · Seward Highway
Bird Point (MP 96)
The best Seward Highway pullout — wide views, parking, and minimal trail to the shore
Location
MP 96, Seward Highway
Bore arrives
~2h after Anchorage low
Drive from Anchorage
~45 min
Facilities
Parking + boardwalk
Bird Point at MP 96 on the Seward Highway is the most popular dedicated bore tide viewing spot on the north shore of Turnagain Arm. A large pullout area, a short boardwalk down to the water's edge, and a wide unobstructed view of the arm make it the go-to choice for visitors who are already driving the Seward Highway corridor. The bore arrives here slightly before Girdwood — roughly 2 hours after Anchorage low water — and the mountain backdrop (Chugach peaks to the north, Kenai Mountains to the south) makes it a strong photography location even when the bore is small.
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Advertise to bore tide visitors
This spot reaches people actively planning a bore tide trip to Turnagain Arm. Perfect for surf schools, wetsuit rental, Girdwood lodging, guided tours, or gear shops.
Inquire → [email protected]The pullout
Bird Point has a dedicated turnout with paved parking (sometimes crowded on summer weekends), a scenic overlook, and a short boardwalk leading toward the water. The viewing area puts you at a slightly elevated vantage above the shore — good for photographs, though you lose the close-up drama of being at water level.
Wildlife alongside the bore
Bird Point is one of the better spots on Turnagain Arm for beluga whale sightings during summer — the Cook Inlet beluga population sometimes follows fish runs into the arm. In fall, Dall sheep are visible on the cliffs above the highway, and bald eagles perch on snags along the shore.
Bore tide timing here
The bore reaches Bird Point about 40-45 minutes before it reaches Girdwood, and about 5-10 minutes after Hope/Mile 13 (which is on the south shore at a roughly comparable arm position). If you're visiting both Hope and a highway spot in one trip, plan to be at Hope first, then drive back to Bird Point or Beluga Point as the bore continues up-arm.
Photography
The wide arm view and mountain backdrop make Bird Point one of the strongest bore tide photo locations. A telephoto lens (200-400mm) allows you to isolate the wave leading edge as it moves across the arm. Shoot from the elevated overlook for a broader perspective, or go down to water level for a more dramatic low-angle shot.
Pro tip
Arrive 10-15 minutes early — on good-bore days the pullout fills up fast and the bore waits for no one. Drive past the main pullout to secondary parking if the lot is full.
More bore tide guides
Hope / Mile 13
South shore quiet — the best unobstructed bore tide view, 45 min ahead of Girdwood
Beluga Point (MP 110)
Closest to Anchorage — also one of the best spots to see Cook Inlet belugas
Girdwood Flats (MP 90)
The most-watched bore tide location — pullouts #4 and #5, classic Seward Highway vantage
Bore Tide Surfing Safety
What you need to know before you paddle out — gear, training, and the risks most people underestimate