Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska Shore Excursions
4 & 5* Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska Shore Excursions
Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 3 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 177.45
Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
3.5 Hour Crowd-Skipping Whale Tour in Juneau, Alaska
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 3 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 189.00
Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
Narrated Whale Watching Cruise with glacier viewpoint
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 4 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 159.00
Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
Juneau Shore Excursion: Helicopter Tour and Guided Icefield Walk
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 2 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 440.00
Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
Juneau Private 3 Hour Scenic Road Trip
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 2 - 3 Hours
Physical difficulty: Medium
Free cancellation
From USD 499.99
Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
Musher's Camp® & Sled Dog Discovery in Juneau Alaska
Duration: 2 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 209.99
Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
Helicopter To a Dogsledding Experience
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 3 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 727.00
Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
Private Luxury Whale Watch
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 4 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 3599.00
Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
Juneau Shore Excursion: Mendenhall Glacier Canoe, Paddle and Hike
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 5 Hours
Physical difficulty: Hard
Free cancellation
From USD 402.09
Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
Juneau Shore Excursion: Mendenhall Glacier Guided Hike
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 6 Hours
Physical difficulty: Hard
Free cancellation
From USD 234.09
Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
Historic Gold Panning Adventure & Salmon Bake
Duration: 3 - 4 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 145.00
Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
Helicopter to a Dogsledding Experience with a Glacier Landing
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 3 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 860.52
Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
Historic Gold Mining and Panning Adventure
Duration: 1 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 99.00
Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
Rainforest & Waterfalls Trek
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 5 Hours
Physical difficulty: Medium
Free cancellation
From USD 249.00
Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier
Duration: 4 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 249.00
Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
Mendenhall Glacier Ice Adventure Tour
Duration: 5 Hours
Physical difficulty: Hard
Free cancellation
From USD 376.95
Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
Mendenhall Glacier Lake Canoe Tour
Duration: 4 Hours
Physical difficulty: Hard
Free cancellation
From USD 250.95
Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
Ultimate Juneau Whale Watch and Mendenhall Glacier View
Duration: 3 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 156.00
Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center and Ultimate Whale Watch Combo
Duration: 5 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 199.00
Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
Ultimate Whale Watch and Tracy's Crab Shack Combo
Duration: 4 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 274.00
Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
Mendenhall Glacier Trolley Tour
Duration: 3 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 79.00
Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
Mendenhall Glacier Float Trip
Duration: 3 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 209.00
Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
Juneau Whale Watching Adventure
Duration: 3 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 189.00
Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
Juneau Whale Watching and Salmon Bake
Duration: 5 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 239.00
Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
eBike Rainforest Experience
Duration: 3 Hours
Physical difficulty: Medium
Free cancellation
From USD 182.00
Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
Segway Coastal Scenic Rainforest Tour
Duration: 3 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 177.00
Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
Whale Watching Adventure in Juneau
Duration: 3 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 154.00
Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
Mendenhall Glacier Express
Duration: 3 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 83.00
Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
Juneau Underground Gold Mine and Panning Experience
Duration: 2 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 94.00
Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
Alpine Segway Wilderness Trail Adventure
Duration: 3 Hours
Physical difficulty: Medium
Free cancellation
From USD 179.95
Related destinations to Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
What should I expect on my first-time shore excursion to Glacier Bay?
If you are visiting Glacier Bay for the first time, expect carefully timed outings that balance scenic cruising, short shore visits and ranger-led interpretation while conforming to the ship's schedule. Glacier Bay National Park shore excursions often include narrated passages past tidewater glaciers and brief landings where park staff discuss ecology and safety. Variable weather, cool temperatures and sudden wind shifts are common, so layered clothing and waterproofs are essential. Advance briefings from the ship and park ensure you know embarkation times, environmental rules and any permit requirements.
What are the top attractions during a Glacier Bay visit?
For many visitors the primary draw is the glaciers, with Margerie and Grand among the most frequently seen and photographed features. Glacier Bay National Park tours commonly feature lengthy scenic cruising past tidewater ice fronts, where calving events punctuate the voyage and seabirds and marine mammals add interest. Intertidal zones and forested coves provide opportunities to see bears, mountain goats and waterfowl from a distance. Ranger talks and interpretive materials enhance understanding of glacial processes, geology and the living cultural connections of the area.
Should I choose a half-day or a full-day excursion?
Many passengers select half-day outings when ship time in the bay is limited or when they prefer a shorter, less strenuous experience. Glacier Bay National Park shore excursions labelled half-day generally focus on nearby viewpoints, short guided walks and wildlife spotting, whereas full-day options allow for more extensive exploration, longer hikes or boat trips to quieter coves. Consider your fitness level, interest in photography or birding, and tolerance for changing weather when deciding. Trip length also affects how much time you can spend ashore and the depth of interpretive programmes offered.
How can I learn about local culture and history on a shore excursion?
Cultural history is accessible through ranger-led talks, museum displays in visitor centres and excursions that include visits to traditional sites and community programmes. Glacier Bay National Park tours sometimes incorporate presentations about Tlingit history, subsistence patterns and modern cultural practices, often presented by community members or park staff. These sessions aim to explain how Indigenous peoples have managed resources and navigated environmental change over generations. When available, small-group visits to local heritage areas provide context while respecting community protocols and seasonal access limitations.
What kind of nature and scenery will I see in Glacier Bay?
Expect a dramatic mix of tidewater glaciers, fjords, temperate rainforest and dynamic shorelines sculpted by ice and tide. Glacier Bay National Park shore excursions showcase calving glaciers, sculpted headlands and ice-choked passages that support seals, sea lions and migrating whales; bald eagles and shorebirds are common sights along forested margins. Photographic opportunities vary with light, tide and weather, so flexibility and patience reward visitors. Interpretive guidance helps identify ecological processes, glacial retreat patterns and how plant communities recolonise newly exposed ground.
Are there local food options or services during excursions?
Local provisioning typically centres on shipboard dining and limited onshore refreshments depending on the landing site and community infrastructure. Glacier Bay National Park tours rarely include extensive local dining due to remote locations and protected area regulations, so expect snacks and packed lunches on many outings. When visits call at nearby towns or visitor centres, there may be small cafes or concession stands offering regional seafood and simple fare prepared under local health regulations. Visitors with dietary needs should plan ahead and notify excursion organisers before departure.
What activity level should I prepare for on excursions?
Activity levels vary considerably from gentle narrated cruises to moderate hikes over uneven ground and rocky beaches, so review trip descriptions carefully before committing. Glacier Bay National Park shore excursions that include shore landings often require boardings via tenders or gangways and walking over wet, sloping or uneven terrain, which can be physically demanding for some travellers. Bringing sturdy footwear, layered clothing and a moderate level of fitness improves comfort on longer walks. Inform guides of mobility concerns so they can suggest suitable routes or alternatives.
How accessible are shore excursions for visitors with mobility needs?
Accessibility can be limited by natural terrain, tender transfers and remote landing sites, so planning and communication are essential for visitors with mobility needs. Glacier Bay National Park tours offer some accessible experiences such as scenic cruising with indoor viewing, but shore landings often involve steps, ladders or unstable surfaces that may not be suitable for everyone. Contact your cruise operator and the park's visitor services in advance to discuss specific requirements, available accommodations and potential alternatives that permit enjoyment of the park while maintaining safety and resource protection.
When is the best time of year to visit Glacier Bay?
Peak visitation occurs in late spring and summer when calmer seas, longer daylight hours and active wildlife sightings are more likely, although weather remains changeable throughout the season. Glacier Bay National Park shore excursions are most numerous from May through September, with the highest number of cruise calls in June to August; earlier season visits can offer fewer crowds and active calving events, while later in the season bird migrations and changing light add interest. Consider personal preferences for wildlife, daylight and crowd levels when choosing travel dates.
Should I join a guided excursion or explore independently where possible?
Choosing a guided experience provides interpretive context, ranger knowledge and logistic support that are important in a protected and remote setting with strict regulations. Glacier Bay National Park tours led by park staff or experienced guides offer safety briefings, ecological explanation and controlled access to sensitive sites that independent visits cannot match. Independent exploration is constrained by permit systems, limited landing spots and the need to follow strict wildlife and habitat rules, so assess your comfort with self-navigation, natural history interpretation and compliance requirements before attempting an unguided visit.
Which cruise lines visit Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska?
Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and Cunard will all visit Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska this year.
What cruise ships will sail to Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska in 2026?
Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska will be visited by Noordam, Royal Princess, Coral Princess, Grand Princess, Eurodam, Sapphire Princess, Ruby Princess, Nieuw Amsterdam, Queen Elizabeth, Zaandam, Koningsdam, Caribbean Princess, Westerdam, Island Princess, Emerald Princess and Discovery Princess.