Beluga Point & Turnagain Arm - Anchorage, AK

The Seward Highway, one of the most scenic highways in the state hold some of the most stunning scenery you may set your eyes on during your adventures in Alaska. And if you're lucky enough, you may even set eyes on a rare native species.

Taking you from Anchorage to the Kenai Peninsula, the Seward Highway hugs the Cook Inlet, specifically an area called Turnagain Arm. Driving along the water surrounded by mountains on both sides creates a feeling that is indescribable to those who have not felt it themselves. It makes you feel small to the world, yet at the same time, completely alive inside.

For those nature lovers like me out there (and I'm assuming if you're visiting Alaska you fall into that category), Turnagain Arm is a goldmine for native wildlife. You just have to know where to look.

If you look up into the mountainside, you may just find some Dall's Sheep. This species of sheep is native to Alaska, which is one of the few places in the world where they can be seen, so keep your eyes open wide, because they can be easy to miss high up in the mountains!

If you look in the water, you may come across the native Cook Inlet Beluga Whale. The popular Beluga's Point is a great place to go to if you're hoping to see one of these rare whales for yourself. The location is stunningly beautiful, so even if you come across no luck, you will still enjoy the stop. However, I will make it known that there are many stops along the Turnagain arm for you to pull over and look for whales, so have no fear, this is not your only chance! And if you hope to have the best of luck, know that these whales move in and out with the extreme tides within the Cook Inlet, so the best time to observe them swimming by is when the tides are going in and/or out. And a little tip for the newbies, these whales don't live their tails up, so when you see them, they won't really look like a whale, they will look like little gray/white humps in the water.