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Once the ice has melted, those wanting to get closer to the ice and waterfalls can take a Tracy Arm Fjord & Glacier Explorer excursion. As glaciers melt, they sometimes carve deep channels, leaving “U-shaped” valleys with vertical walls. Soak up island views and aquatic adventures with a cruise to the Bahamas. The face of Sawyer is a little more than a half mile wide, so there is plenty of space for the vessel to be at the face of the glacier. The boat’s engine gets turned off at the glacier so you can listen to the ice crackle and pop and take in the sights uninterrupted while you wait for the glacier to calve. Some prefer the colossal Hubbard Glacier for its calving action.
Tracy Arm Fjords Glacier Cruise
Alternatively, Seabourn Quest and American Constellation offer an intimate ship experience. Tracy Arm Fjord is in the Southeast Alaskan panhandle, a little south of Juneau. With 45 miles between Tracy Arm and Alaska’s capital, visitors can visit the fjord on an Alaska cruise or by separate excursion from Juneau. We have cruised there multiple times and find Tracy Arm Fjord to be an unforgettable experience. It allows visitors to get up close and personal with some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. Book the excursion on the smaller vessel if you want a closer look and a different perspective of viewing the fjord.
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Mountain goats are more likely to come farther down the mountain on cloudier days. Stephens Pass and Holkham Bay are the best places to spot eagles, bears, and whales. When ships miss the fjord, they won’t include another glacier or bay experience. No matter which glacier viewing experience you choose, there are some tips to keep in mind to make the most of your experience. It’s also good to note that some lines have “cruising Tracy Arm Fjord” on their Alaska cruise itinerary but don’t enter the fjord. Some popular lines that offer Tracy Arm Fjord cruises include Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, and Royal Caribbean.
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REAL-LIFE WATER WORLD
Tracy Arm Fjord is known for its narrow passages and towering waterfalls, while Hubbard Glacier is the largest tidewater glacier in North America. We recommend packing a waterproof jacket, gloves, a hat, warm socks, and sunglasses to protect your eyes from the glacial glare. Compact binoculars are handy to help spot harbor seals on icebergs and mountain goats high on the cliffs. Most travelers choose an itinerary to Hubbard Glacier or Glacier Bay.
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Both massive glaciers begin in British Columbia, Canada, with North Sawyer stretching 22 miles and South Sawyer flowing 31 miles to the ocean. The Twin Sawyer Glaciers are the main attraction in Tracy Arm Fjord. The glaciers are named after the Navy’s Secretary, Benjamin Franklin Tracy, who was in office under President Harrison. Since fjords have their own micro-climate, expect cooler, damper weather and lots of mist, especially in the early hours. The fog and low-lying clouds may hamper your ability to take photos. Regardless of your cruise date, bringing warm layers is essential, as the temperature can be chilly, even in the summer months.
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A service call means the ship stops at the fjord’s mouth, allowing some guests to disembark onto a smaller vessel to continue into the fjord. Whether you’re a wildlife enthusiast, a nature lover, or someone looking for a unique and unforgettable experience, discover what to expect on a day in Tracy Arm. While it may be cold outside by the glaciers, you won’t need to struggle for a viewing spot. The fjord waters are a magnificent green color, which varies according to meltwater. During my last visit in the first week of May, the waters exuded a vibrant jade green. The increasing amount of floating ice is a welcoming sign for harbor seals who use the icy platforms to laze in the sun.
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Cruising into Tracy Arm offers a chance to see Alaskan wildlife. It’s not unusual to see whales along Stephen’s Passage and inside the bay. Simon and Garfunkel’s “the sound of silence” is fitting for the gentle maneuver through the emerald waters. The silence was only broken by bergy bits hitting the side of the vessel or the sound of birds overhead.
Join this exclusive opportunity to see the very best of the Tracy Arm Wilderness Area, including exciting, close-up views of the majestic Twin Sawyer Glaciers. Tracy Arm fjord is 50 miles southeast of Juneau, Alaska off Holkham Bay and adjacent to Stephen's Passage. Tracy Arm and Endicott Arm are part of the vast Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness.
In May, harbor seals give birth on the large icebergs near the glacier’s terminus. It’s the survival of the fittest as bald eagles swoop down to feast on the afterbirth or unattended baby seal. From the topside observation deck, enjoy this unforgettable experience with all your senses. You can sometimes even feel the 'white thunder' as immense spires of ice break from the glacier and crash into the sea.
When cruising to Tracy Arm Fjord, you may be treated to the wondrous action of calving. A thunderous noise echoes in the bay as ice cracks and falls from the glacier’s toe. The vessel is built for exploration and intricate maneuverability, allowing guests to feel the spray of waterfalls.
The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Tracy Arm Fjord, Alaska. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link. The icebergs are framed by sheer mountain peaks that reach over 7,000 feet. Waterfalls flow from the ice-covered mountains to the jade colored inland sea. The ice in Tracy Arm interferes with the sonar of killer whales, so it is the perfect place for hundreds of harbor seals to have their pups in the summer months.
I was captivated by the scenery in the Alaska fjord, and even after two visits, I plan to experience its beauty again. It’s important to note that the smaller vessels can’t accommodate scooters or strollers. For some, taking the tour could come down to price and whether it’s within your budget. Recently, a sandbar appeared in front of Sawyer Glacier due to its retreat. It may be a matter of time before the northern ice mass disappears behind a mountain.
These can all be found throughout a beautifully scattered string of 700 islands (most of which are uninhabited). The Bahamas has an island for every taste and style, and it's easy to enjoy its subtropical charm during an overnight stint or a week-long cruise. The glaciers of the region branch off the 500 square-mile Stikine Icefield, where snowfall often exceeds 100 feet per year. As snow builds in this accumulation zone, the resulting ice begins to overflow into the valleys, forming glaciers.
One of the most spectacular cruise destinations on earth, Tracy Arm Fjord is actually made up of two separate fjords. Each fjord is over 30 miles long, and a full one-fifth of their area is covered in ice. With hundreds of waterfalls, giant chunks of sliding ice and a huge variety of native wildlife, you won’t even want to blink as you cruise past this natural wonder. Cruisetours, ranging from nine to 18 days, feature visits to Denali National Park, with some including journeys into Canada's Yukon. Holland America Line remains the sole cruise line offering overland tours to the Yukon combined with an Alaska cruise and Denali experience. Sawyer Glaciers (North and South) are located at Tracy Arm's end.
The larger of the two, South Sawyer Glacier is simply stunning and goes deep underwater. Look for wildlife—seals like to rest on ice floes with their young because they're safer from whales. Mountain goats also love the cliffs near the North Sawyer Glacier.
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