Cruise Bartlett Cove to the faces of Margerie and Grand Pacific glaciers with a National Park Service ranger guiding the story of ice, wildlife, and coastal forests. This full-day catamaran tour pairs heated comfort with front-row glacier views and frequent wildlife sightings.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
Fog thins as the catamaran slips out of Bartlett Cove and Glacier Bay opens like a cold, moving plain. Ice-blue faces of Margerie and Grand Pacific glaciers loom ahead, their serrated rims and towering calving fronts set against spruce-stippled shorelines. Puffins dot the air while distant blows mark humpbacks working the channel; a Park Service ranger’s voice threads context through the whistles and gull calls.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
8 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels; requires minimal mobility for boarding and moving aboard the vessel.
Wildlife
History
Glacier Bay’s modern landscape was largely revealed in the last 150 years as tidewater glaciers retreated after the Little Ice Age; the area also has long cultural ties to Tlingit communities.
Conservation
Glacier Bay is a federally protected national park where ranger programs and strict wildlife-distance rules help minimize visitor impact; packing out waste and following guidelines supports long-term preservation.
Reserve your spot on the Glacier Bay Day Tour: Explore Tidewater Glaciers and Wildlife today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Dress in layers
Temperatures and wind on the water change quickly—bring a warm mid-layer and a waterproof outer shell.
Prepare for motion
If you’re prone to seasickness, take preventative medication before boarding and sit mid-ship where motion is least noticeable.
Bring optics
Binoculars or a camera with zoom make wildlife and glacier details accessible without crowding observation areas.
Respect wildlife distance
Follow ranger guidance and stay on board unless instructed—keeping distance minimizes stress to marine mammals and shore fauna.
Waterproof, windproof jacket
Blocks spray and wind when exposed on deck and keeps you comfortable during cool marine conditions.
summer
Binoculars (8–12x)
Helps spot whales, seals, and bird colonies at a distance without approaching wildlife.
Warm mid-layer (fleece or insulated)
Traps heat during long observation periods; useful even on summer mornings.
fall
Motion sickness medication or wrist bands
Useful for those sensitive to boat motion—take before boarding for best effect.