One Day in Glacier Bay National Park
One day aboard Alaska's only permitted catamaran to tidewater glaciers and whales.
Glacier Bay sprawls across Southeast Alaska as a landscape of temperate rainforest, fjords, and tidewater glaciers still advancing from the Fairweather Range. The bay opens daily to a handful of visitors via boat, revealing one of the world's most dramatic displays of glacial retreat and marine wildlife.
- 3.3M Total acres including preserve
- 1,059 Named and unnamed glaciers
- 247 Bird species documented
- 7 Active tidewater glaciers
Day 1: Glaciers, Calving Ice, and Whale Feeding
Stay: Stay at Glacier Bay Lodge at Bartlett Cove, the only lodging inside the park.
This single day captures Glacier Bay's grandest tidewater glaciers, wildlife spectacle, and ecosystems aboard the only permitted day tour in the park.
- Board a high-speed catamaran at Bartlett Cove at 7:15 AM for an eight-hour journey to Margerie and Grand Pacific Glaciers, towering 245 feet above the ocean.
- Watch the glacier calve icebergs, spot humpback whales bubble-netting for krill, and scan for sea otters, seals, bears, and bald eagles as a National Park Service ranger narrates the bay's geology and wildlife.
Common Questions
What's included in the day boat tour price?
The $273.57 per adult ticket includes an eight-hour guided journey aboard a 150-passenger heated catamaran with large windows and outdoor deck access, lunch, hot beverages (coffee, tea, hot chocolate), and narration by a National Park Service ranger on geology and wildlife. Children ages 3–12 pay $142.92.
Can I see bears and whales the same day?
Yes. Humpback whales are common June through August as they feed in the bay using bubble-netting techniques visible from the boat. Coastal brown and black bears forage along the shoreline and are frequently spotted. Sea otters, harbor seals, bald eagles, puffins, and orcas are also commonly sighted during the tour.
How do I get to Glacier Bay?
Fly from Juneau to Gustavus on Alaska Airlines (30 minutes, available June 6–August 30, 2026). From Gustavus, ground transportation to Bartlett Cove is about 10 miles; the Glacier Bay Lodge and tour operators arrange pickups for lodging guests and day-tour participants.
What should I pack for the boat tour?
Bring a waterproof rain jacket and rain pants (rain is frequent), insulating layers for cool temperatures (50–66°F in July), waterproof non-slip hiking boots, sunscreen, and a wide-brimmed hat. The catamaran is heated with large windows, but upper decks are open to weather; dress in layers you can remove as you move inside and outside.
Are there other activities besides the day boat tour?
Yes. Glacier Bay Sea Kayaks offers guided and unguided kayak day trips (half-day or full-day) in the protected waters of Bartlett Cove; the Forest Loop Trail is a 1-mile easy walk through rainforest and beach; and park rangers lead daily programs including evening talks and forest walks at the visitor center.
Sources & Further Reading
- Plan Your Visit - Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve — National Park Service
- Trip Planning - Glacier Bay Lodge & Tours — Glacier Bay Lodge & Tours
- Things to Do - Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve — National Park Service
- Glacier Bay Day Tour - Glacier Bay Lodge & Tours — Glacier Bay Lodge & Tours
- Hiking - Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve — National Park Service
- Bartlett Cove Trails Map - Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve — National Park Service
- Exploring Bartlett Cove - Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve — National Park Service
- Glacier Bay Lodge - Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve — National Park Service
- Permits & Reservations - Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve — National Park Service
- Fees & Passes - Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve — National Park Service
- Glacier Bay Fact Sheet - Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve — National Park Service
- Ecology of Glacier Bay National Park — U.S. Geological Survey
- Overview of Selected Glaciers in Glacier Bay — National Park Service
- Margerie Glacier - Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve — National Park Service
- Kayak Rentals & Tours - Glacier Bay Lodge & Tours — Glacier Bay Lodge & Tours
- Kayaking - Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve — National Park Service
- Operating Hours & Seasons - Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve — National Park Service
- Weather - Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve — National Park Service
- Wildlife Viewing Seasonal Calendar - Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve — National Park Service
- Visitor Centers - Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve — National Park Service
- Forest Loop Trail Boardwalk - Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve — National Park Service
- Glacier Bay Sea Kayaks — Glacier Bay Sea Kayaks
- Juneau to Gustavus Flights - Alaska Airlines — Alaska Airlines
