What is there to do in Glacier Bay?

There is a wide range of activities to do in Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska, even though it has no roads and is accessible only by boat or plane. The primary activity is scenic cruising, where large cruise ships and small expedition ships spend 8 to 10 hours slowly sailing through the bay past eight massive tidewater glaciers like Margerie, Lamplugh, and Johns Hopkins, watching them calve icebergs with thunderous roars while National Park Service rangers narrate. Wildlife viewing is exceptional, with humpback whales bubble-net feeding, orcas, sea otters, harbor seals, brown and black bears, mountain goats, and puffins. For active travelers, kayaking is very popular, with multi-day guided kayak trips where you paddle among icebergs and camp on beaches, and day kayaking from Bartlett Cove. Hiking is available around Bartlett Cove, with trails like Forest Loop Trail and Bartlett River Trail through temperate rainforest. Flightseeing via small plane or helicopter offers breathtaking aerial views of glaciers and the Fairweather Range. Fishing for halibut and salmon is allowed with permits. At Glacier Bay Lodge, you can attend ranger programs, visit the Huna Tribal House to learn about Tlingit culture, and go whale watching tours. Photographers love capturing glaciers, wildlife, and the night sky. So Glacier Bay offers cruising, kayaking, hiking, wildlife watching, flightseeing, cultural programs, and photography in pristine wilderness.