Kayak the Beardslees
Kayak the Beardslees
This is Glacier Bay on a budget: a self-guided paddle through the Beardslee Islands, a protected cluster of islands slowly rising out of the water near Bartlett Cove. Wildlife is the draw - birds, marine and land mammals work the shorelines where ocean meets land. But read this part twice: tides run the show here, and the NPS itself tells you to check tide predictions or talk to a ranger before you launch. Get the tide math right and it can be the trip of a lifetime; get it wrong and you learn why there are no services out there.
Genuine Glacier Bay wilderness on a budget: a protected island group teeming with wildlife, reachable from Bartlett Cove without a tour booking or a fee.
Quick facts
- Duration
- 1-3 days
- Group style
- Private - this is a self-guided trip, so your group is whoever you bring.
- Meeting point
- Bartlett Cove - most visitors access the bay from the rocky or sandy shoreline near…
✓ Book this if…
- You are a self-sufficient paddler on a budget who wants Glacier Bay wilderness, wildlife-rich shorelines, and a possible overnight without a tour price tag.
- Budget-minded, self-sufficient paddlers who want Glacier Bay wilderness without the cost of a boat tour - the NPS calls this one of the more accessible wilderness areas of the park.
× Skip it if…
- You need a guide, rented gear, or services along the way - none of that exists out in the Beardslees.
Before you book
Do I need a reservation or permit to kayak the Beardslees?
The NPS record says no reservation is required for this activity. That said, talk to a ranger at Bartlett Cove before launching - the NPS specifically recommends it for tide predictions and current conditions.
Is this worth it if I can't afford a boat tour?
That is exactly the point. The NPS pitches this as the budget way into Glacier Bay wilderness - the Beardslee Islands are one of the more accessible wilderness areas of the park, and no fees apply.
How dangerous are the tides, really?
Serious enough that the NPS tells you to check tide predictions or speak with a ranger before embarking. Tides are the most important factor in planning this paddle - build your entire schedule around them.
Can I bring my dog along?
No. Pets are not allowed on trails, beaches, or anywhere in the backcountry. They are only allowed on land in a few select areas of the Bartlett Cove Developed Area, leashed or restrained, and never unattended - or aboard a private vessel on the water.
How long should I plan for?
The NPS lists this as a 1-3 day trip. A day paddle works, but the islands also support kayak camping if you are equipped to be fully self-sufficient.
Are there restrooms or supplies along the route?
No. There are no facilities for boaters outside the Bartlett Cove Developed Area. Whatever you need for the trip, you carry it.
Will I actually see wildlife?
The odds are good - the NPS says wildlife abounds in this protected island group, with birds plus marine and land mammals along the shorelines. Keep 100 yards from bears and wolves and 25 yards from other wildlife.
