We certainly didnât mean to scare any of them when they were only trying to rest :-( The closer we got to the glacier and the west side of the lagoon, the bigger the icebergs got. They can easily lure visitors in close with their beauty. Search tours and activities you can do from home. The icebergs are majestic and may seem harmless just floating around in the lagoon. Two Fjords away, you'll explore the sights of Bear Glacier Lagoon and Aialik Glacier. The sound these things make are referred to as âwhite thunder.â That is an appropriate phrase because thunder is exactly what it sounds like. Your bush pilot will soar over mountain lakes and valleys full of wildlife and … This tide water glacier is large, almost like those of Glacier Bay NP, and also has enormous icebergs calving off at times. Incredible photo opportunities. Our adventures are designed around a maximum 5-1 explorer to guide ratio. Spot marine wildlife as you tour the dramatic coastline. Not far from the town of Seward, there are nearly 40 glaciers making up an icefield that spans more than 300 square miles, all contained within Kenai Fjords National Park. Seward Tourism; Seward Hotels; Seward Bed and Breakfast; Seward Packages; Flights to Seward; ... We went with Adventure 60 North with some bomb tour guides Chicken Fried Back Strap and Tex Mex (Sunny and Seth). Treat yourself to an abundance of wildlife viewing with this 3.5-hour Kenai Fjords cruise in Resurrection Bay from Seward Harbor. It's melting, sad. Bear Glacier Iceberg Paddleboarding $299; Bear Glacier Iceberg Paddleboarding (Helicopter) $600; Aialik Bay. It took us about an hour to get suited with drysuits, get our gear secured to the kayak, and get on the water. Paddling among ice bergs and seals near the glacier was a once in lifetime experience. The ice field has created at least 38 Kenai Fjords glaciers, with Bear Glacier being the largest. Bear Glacier Overnight Camping Trip (2 Days) $600; Northwestern . The glacier make similar sounds, sometimes actually sounding like gunfire. Hotels near Seward Community Library & Museum, Hotels near Alpine Air Alaska (Seward, AK), Alaska Saltwater Lodge Small Group Whale Watching, Wildlife & Glacier Tour, The Painted Whale Seward Mural Walking Tours, Zipline & Aerial Adventure Parks in Seward, Surfing, Windsurfing & Kitesurfing in Seward, Kenai Fjords National Park: Tickets & Toursâ, Alaska SeaLife Center: Tickets & Toursâ, Seward Community Library & Museum: Tickets & Toursâ, Benny Benson Memorial: Tickets & Toursâ. These huge mammals arrive here every March through May on their annual migration northward into Alaskaâs waters. The glacier is just massive and looks amazing in the park. You can explore some parts of the park via airplane, hiking, or car (with Exit Glacier at the end of its only road). Getting there Getting to Bear Glacier Lagoon requires planning. Most people prefer this, though we rather do things on our own. If you're visiting during the winter, you can still see Exit Glacier on cross-country skis, snowmobiles, or even dog sleds. The various shapes and sizes were absolutely mind boggling! If things go south, you have very little to no help. This 1 1/2 hour tour explores the vastness of the Chugach National Forest. They are eye candy that lures people in, but the stunning still-life photos never show these icebergs breaking, cracking, rolling, or totally collapsing. There are no restrooms or cell service. ADA Accessibility of Tour: T his tour is limited mobility accessible. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Save your favorites. Once it took off toward the water, the rest followed. Rainbow Glacier Adventures LLC P.O. Even better, we've added a choice of tours on two separate days to select helicopter flight-seeing, dog sledding, a brewery tour or bear viewing. One of the most striking and dynamic elements of the Bear Glacier area are the icebergs. The Mindful Marmot; Alaska Shuttle Service During our stay in Alaska, there were three tourists killed in Valdez Glacier Lake (which we also visited) by falling ice from the glacier. Seward Scenic Flight to Bear Glacier. You can also choose an overnight adventure, camping near the glacier. Most of this terrestrial wildlife returned recently to this landscape, recolonizing after the retreat of the glaciers that began only two-and-a-half centuries before. Bear Glacier Tours. One of most dramatic places on earth Took a kayaking tour of the glacier. COVID-19: Check local travel restrictions and learn what we're doing to help keep you safe and your plans flexible. While paddling around the north side of an island we noticed we had some curious friends swimming about 50 feet away... seals! Do not be fooled! Now, onto the review! Departure times are between 8:00 AM and 7:00 PM, your choice of time. Book your tickets online for Bear Glacier, Seward: See 100 reviews, articles, and 60 photos of Bear Glacier, ranked No.6 on Tripadvisor among 25 attractions in Seward. Water tours of Bear Glacier are generally available about the same dates that the park's visitor centers are open – from Memorial Day in late May through Labor Day in early September. Bear Glacier trips depart from Seward. You are viewing Virtual Experiences in Seward. Paddling among ice bergs and seals near the glacier was a once in lifetime experience. Quickly access bookings. Bear Glacier Tour Package #010 8-Day Bear Glacier Sea Kayaking, Whale Watching Glacier Cruise, Fly-in Bear Viewing Tour, Denali National Park departing from Anchorage, AK. Kayak Adventures Worldwide; Alaska Saltwater Lodge Small Group Whale Watching, Wildlife & Glacier Tour; Resurrection Bay; Seward Highway; Alaska SeaLife Center; Miller's Landing; Seward Community Library & Museum; Yukon Bar; The Painted Whale Seward Mural Walking Tours; Fish Seward Alaska Inc. A must do! Sea kayaking up to Bear Glacier gives you a chance to see the glacier and its iceberg-filled lagoon up close. Please do not put yourself and your loved ones at risk by getting sucked into a dangerous situation for a selfie. Thereâs also a water taxi you can take to the lagoon. Enjoy aerial views of Alaska's natural beauty on a 1-hour scenic helicopter flight from Seward. The kayaking The kayaking here was superb⦠better than we could have dreamed of! Itâs much further away than it looks. We're creating your account. This glamorous camping experience is sure to delight travelers of ages 12+ and all ability levels. The most popular recreational activities at Bear Glacier are sea kayaking, stand up paddle boarding and pack rafting. The water was so clear we could see where the icebergs below the surface just descended into the abyss⦠talk about the tip of the iceberg! That pivotal moment was when we decided to return to America's Last Frontier! The water taxi departure times vary everyday depending on the ocean tides, please … Bear Glacier is an outlet glacier of the Harding Icefield in Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska. Once we were on the water, we paddled toward the glacier, stopping many times to take in the beauty of the icebergs with their many shapes, sizes, and colors. Tour times below are approximate: 30-minute scenic helicopter flight to Bear Glacier and Aialik Glacier; Meeting Instructions: This tour meets at the airport office. You’ll experience Alaska in ways that will change you forever. Keep in mind that Bear Glacier is 100% wilderness. In each incident, by the time we were able to point our cameras to record the action, it was over, with nothing more than some waves to telling us where it happened. Not far from the town of Seward, there are nearly 40 glaciers making up an icefield that spans more than 300 square miles, all contained within Kenai Fjords National Park. Bear Glacier Lagoon is a proglacier lagoon, a lake that forms between a glacier and its moraine. The largest of these is Bear Glacier. You are bound to be amazed by the gorgeous views of snow-covered peaks, cascading waterfalls, old-growth forests, and more! Watch for these incredible beasts and other whale species, as well as other wildlife, and view the luminous blue glaciers crowning the surrounding mountains. About Us; Job Opportunities The day before and the day after were filled with rain so we were really blessed to have such a great day. Sail close to sea lion colonies and seabird rookeries, and keep your eyes peeled for whales, sea otters, Dallâs porpoises, eagles and mountain goats. I didnât mean to write a book, but we were just so enamored with this amazing place! Officially it is an entrace to the park. Getting to Bear Glacier is by water taxi or by flying in by helicopter. We were floored by its beauty. Kayak Adventures Worldwide; Alaska Saltwater Lodge Small Group Whale Watching, Wildlife & Glacier Tour; Resurrection Bay; Seward Highway; Alaska SeaLife Center; Miller's Landing; Yukon Bar; Seward Community Library & Museum; The Painted Whale Seward Mural Walking Tours; Fish Seward Alaska Inc. See crystal-blue glacier pools and take in unbelievable views. Iâve seen videos of it and it looks spectacular! Although it is considered a stable glacier, you may see it calve (shed ice in to the water) with its towering spires reaching over 300 ft tall in some places. Relax in our tranquil Alaskan environment and enjoy glacier and iceberg viewing. Beautiful. With massive icebergs and blue waters, seeing the glacier up close is a thrilling experience. A few minutes later we noticed a large, flat iceberg with about 20 seals. If youâre next to one when it decides to roll or collapse, you have no chance. We'd visited Alaska three years ago and loved it so much we were considering going back. As the ice receded over hundreds of years, it left behind a pristine fresh water lagoon. We took a WATER TAXI from SEWARD to drop us off at high tide around 7:00 am and pick us up when the tide came back in twelve hours later. Duration: .5 hours . You only see roughly 10% of it above the surface while the other 90% is below. Bear Glacier lagoon has some of the most massive icebergs in Alaska. They ranged from the size of a soda bottle to the size of a supermarket.... no exaggeration! However tall and/or wide an iceberg is, you should stay twice that distance away. Tour Overview On this Alaska kayaking tour from Seward, you begin your adventure with a 30-60-minute jet boat journey to Bear Glacier. Fly above the rugged coast of Resurrection Bay on the way to the largest glacier developed from the Harding Icefield, Bear Glacier. Long ago, the vast mass of Bear Glacier pushed out a moraine. Bear Viewing. Itâs about a 45 minute ride from town. The Viewfinder carrying US President Barack Obama approaches Bear Glacier during a tour of the Kenai Fjords National Park on September 1 2015 in... bear glacier dramatic chugach mountain landscape hyder alaska - bear glacier stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images. Reservations & Policies; COVID-19 Policies & Updates; FAQ; Our Shop. Boats can only make it into the lagoon at high tide so youâll either have to camp, or time your day with the tides, which is what we did. If you arenât hit by falling or shifting ice, the wave it creates can knock you out of your kayak. Kayak Adventures Worldwide; Alaska Saltwater Lodge Small Group Whale Watching, Wildlife & Glacier Tour; Resurrection Bay; Seward Highway; Alaska SeaLife Center; Miller's Landing; Seward Community Library & Museum; Yukon Bar; The Painted Whale Seward Mural Walking Tours; Fish Seward Alaska Inc. 7 reviews. Face masks required for travelers in public areas, Face masks required for guides in public areas. Northwestern Camping Expedition (3-5 days) $1199+ Fjords Paddle Multiday (7 days) Resurrection Bay. Getting to Seward can be by car rental, bus, or train. Bear Glacier rests above a secluded lagoon that holds hundreds of amazing icebergs. On-board commentary, binoculars, and hot drinks included. You can go on cruises that visit the many fjords in the park, and you can even go sea kayaking through the fjords. Trip Information. The Mindful Marmot; Alaska Shuttle Service Our water taxi captain had told us that some we so big that they actually we sitting on the bottom of this 600â deep lake. The lagoon is a very deep and clear freshwater lake, fed by the glacier and its enormous icebergs. The largest of these is Bear Glacier. But spending 18 days in Alaska, it's hard not to experience several other glaciers. What's the best way to experience Bear Glacier? Beware Now, with all that said about how beautiful this place is, I must give you some words of caution. People die here! It was probably 75 degrees with very few clouds. Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff. Unbelievable! The water is blue and clear, probably due to its 600 ft. depth. Things to do near Bear Glacier. If you choose this option, be sure to keep an eye on the time to leave yourself enough time to get the kayak back to Ron and hike back to the pickup spot. Our best selling Alaska train tour combines Alaska Railroad with a Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise and Denali National Park backcountry adventure. 2017 TOUR DATES Best time to visit Bear Glacier is June 6 - August 31 Daily Departures June 1 - September 15 We recommend a 3 days / 2 night stay to fully experience what Bear Glacier has to offer. With a water temperature of only 33 degrees, youâll have little chance of survival unless you have a drysuit on and can be pulled from the water quickly. The ice then flows to lower elevations. View Details These things were large enough to be seen over the treetops as we approached the lagoon from the gulf. Day-1 Departing from Anchorage Alaska Railroad Anchorage to Seward Kenai Fjords Whale Watch Glacier Cruise Evening Helicopter flightseeing to Bear Glacier; Day 1-3 Sea kayaking at Bear Glacier Glamping Camp 3 … Calming, Majestic. Bear Glacier is truly a remarkable place and anyone who stays here will leave with a greater appreciation for the natural splendor of our beautiful state! Duration: 30 minutes. On request we can included the Anchorage to Seward bus and or train transportation with your Bear Glacier tour. Kayaking among these icebergs is a magical experience. See more Virtual Experiences around the globe. Don't forget your sunglasses and camera. The best ways to experience Bear Glacier are: See more Virtual Experiences around the globe, Bear Glacier Kayaking Adventure with Jetboat Transport, Kenai Fjords and Resurrection Bay Half-Day Wildlife Cruise, 60 Minute Extended Glacier Tour and Landing, 60 Minute Scenic Flight over Kenai Fjords and Chugach National Forest. A serene iceberg forest in Kenai Fjords National Park. Things to do near Bear Glacier. There were so many shades of blue! There are guided kayaking tours you can take but your time on the water is limited and youâll likely be stuck with strangers and a guide. Once Louis dropped us off, we hiked about 30 minutes to Ronâs to pick up our kayak. The highlight of this tour is a glacier landing. But taking a Kenai Fjords National Park cruise out of Seward is both the most popular and, in my opinion, best way to see it. Only with a National Park Service Ranger does a cruise through Alaskaâs famously beautiful fjords become an educational excursion. It's not far from Seward to Exit Glacier, the most easily accessible glacier in the park, but it's also possible to reach Bear Glacier from Seward â if you head out on the water. During our indecision, I was doing some research on activities in. Bear Glacier, found in Kenai Fjords National Park, is a tidewater glacier and a popular spot for kayakers, but you can easily see it on a cruise from Seward. Search experiences with increased health and safety practices. Bear Glacier: Bear Glacier - See 100 traveler reviews, 60 candid photos, and great deals for Seward, AK, at Tripadvisor. Being surrounded by such natural beauty left us feeling like the day just slipped away so quickly.
Your day tour starts in Missoula and takes you to The Most Beautiful National Park in The … Things to do near Bear Glacier. Departure Times The helicopter departure is flexible on departure times. There are helicopters that frequently drop in with kayakers, and sometimes they just fly around the lake and leave. View breathtaking alpine glaciers, mountains, and even look for wildlife from the helicopter. Youâll still get some great photos! We tried to move as slowly and quietly as possible, but we unfortunately must have spooked one of them. Travel 55 miles (round-trip) along a rugged coastline and snap plenty of memorable photos as you sail past Bear Glacier. They made sure we were prepared (didn't … Harding Gateway Expedition (3 Days) $799+ Tour Packages; Why Choose Us; Info. Itâs the lagoon that really stands out! Our Captain, Louis Garding, procured our tandem kayak through a third party outfitter that lives in the forest at the lagoon during the summer months, named Ron. Admire the stunning winter wonderland as you paddle through the icy labyrinth. It's not far from Seward to Exit Glacier, the most easily accessible glacier in the park, but it's also possible to reach Bear Glacier from Seward – if you head out on the … Find tickets & tours worldwide. Please try again on the. Bear Glacier is quite spectacular in its own right, especially being the largest in Kenai Fjords. The brilliant blues of the water and the icebergs are absolutely stunning. Sail the waters of Resurrection Bay in search of Californian gray whales on a half-day cruise from Seward. Please read safety warnings on the lagoon posted by the National Park Service. TOUR DESCRIPTION. A jet boat first speeds you near Bear Glacier, the largest glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park, where youâll board a kayak. The lagoon is an incredible place to explore and see giant icebergs that have calved from the largest glacier in the park. more. The Icebergs! These are private tours (your party only), hotel pick up and drop off included, you call the stops, we take your photos for you, And we offer complimentary snacks and drinks. It's also beautiful and worth the view from a boat or kayak. Weâve kayaked in several places, but there just is no comparison! Besides showing visible retreat over the past few decades, Bear Glacier has also thinned about 2.5 feet (0.75 meters) per year from the early 1950s to … Bear Glacier Tours. … Other than a few hidden tents in the forest, there is no sign of human activity. Search experiences that may have limited interaction with crowds.