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And take part in some thrilling wall diving – where you can explore deep reef edges – in New Providence. Tracy Arm is the summer home for pigeon guillemots, kittiwakes and arctic terns. Mountain goats are typically seen on the rocky slopes near Sawyer Glacier.
Tracy Arm Fjords Glacier Cruise
As the ship approaches Sawyer Glacier, the ice flow off the icefield may make it feel much colder. June through September provides the best months for visitation when the weather is generally mild and the days are long. However, some cruise lines sail to Tracy Arm Fjord as early as May or even late April. Approaching the glacier, the colony of harbor seals pose lazily on ice floes. Staring back at passengers, they seem unconcerned about the presence of a large ship.
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Tracy Arm Fjord Glacier Cruise
If you’re set on doing another tour in Juneau, you may want to pass on the Tracy Arm excursion and just enjoy it by cruise ship. Bear in mind, while some cruise lines advertise “cruising in Tracy Arm,” sometimes they DON’T sail in the fjord. Cruise ships that venture up the narrow fjord spend a few hours sailing at a snail’s pace. Vessels usually open up the bow area for viewing, which is often closed during the cruise. However, this area gets congested as guests jostle for the front-row spots.
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Tracy Arm Vs. Endicott Arm
At 32-miles long and averaging just a mile wide, the unique features of Tracy Arm are contained in a relatively small geographical space, adding to the dramatic beauty of the area. The main focus of the cruise is the fjord and the glacier, and the wildlife is an added bonus. The guides will do their best to find you mountain goats, whales, bears, harbor seals, and birds. Of the two, South Sawyer Glacier is larger and more accessible to reach. As North Sawyer retreats, the narrow passage becomes more hazardous and less maneuverable for larger cruise ships. At the end of the fjord, cruise lines open up the viewing areas at the bow, allowing closer views of the icebergs and towering glacier.
Home to enchanting shades of blue and deliciously warm breezes, the Bahamas is the ideal place for adventures involving the sea. The best Bahamas cruises will allow you to dive and discover underwater worlds, meet marine animals and shop for island souvenirs by the ocean. Tracy Arm Fjord is part of Alaska's Fords Terror Wilderness park with total area approx 2643 km2 (1020 mi2). The park consists of two deepwater narrow fjords - Tracy Arm (north) and Endicott Arm (south). Endicott Arm has length 48 km (30 mi) and around 20% of the waterway is ice-covered. Port Tracy Arm Fjord cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month.
We find it gets crowded, so arrive early for the prime front row standing spots. As the ship slowly navigates the emerald waters, angel hair cascades, gracing the towering walls, mesmerize cruise passengers. However, it’s the icebergs and stunning blue glaciers they come to see. At the end of the fjord, cruise-goers enjoy the face of two tidewater glaciers or icefields which touch the ocean. Filling the bay with ice, the South Sawyer Glacier is the larger of the two, at over 31 miles long, and originates in British Columbia, Canada. On cruises to Tracy Arm, guests enjoy 30 miles of mountain peaks, sheer rock faces, plummeting waterfalls, and emerald-green water.
There are also flightseeing opportunities from Juneau but cruises are more popular. Tour guests get an eye-to-eye view of harbor seals with a smaller vessel, feel the spray of waterfalls, and get closer to the glacier’s towering face. Sometimes, the crew makes cocktails from the glacial ice fished out of the water. Located about 45 miles south of Juneau, Tracy Arm, a classic fjord, stands out as a “must see” for any Alaska vacation. Full day cruises depart from downtown Juneau and includes Alaska’s greatest combination of mountains, waterfalls, wildlife, glaciers, and icebergs. On a Tracy Arm fjord cruise, passengers can expect to view a variety of wildlife, including whales, seals, and bald eagles.
About The Twin Sawyer Glaciers
Don’t worry about which side to book as the ship rotates at the glacier’s terminus (toe). Beneath the glaciers, giant icebergs provide a vital breeding spot for harbor seals, and a safety zone from hungry orcas. Since the Explorer tour arrives in Juneau later in the day, it can impact your time to see Alaska’s capital.
Our vessels navigate the entire length of the arm, making stops in view of both the Sawyer and South Sawyer Glaciers (as ice conditions permit). In the event that conditions prevent the navigation of Tracy Arm, we may modify the itinerary by exploring Endicott Arm, another beautiful fjord carved by the Dawes Glacier. DIB excursions will provide the opportunity to view the majesty of the area in an up-close and personal manner.
Some cruise ships offer complimentary umbrellas or water-proof ponchos, but we prefer to bring our own gear to ensure we’re protected. It’s important to consider the size of the ship and the amenities offered when choosing a cruise line. A smaller ship gives closer access to the glaciers and wildlife, while a larger ship may offer more amenities and activities. From June onward, you can expect to see a lot of wildlife, including harbor seals, sea lions, and various bird species. Where the fjord meets Holkham Bay, humpback whales may welcome your arrival.
Only two cruise ships a day can access Glacier Bay, so that itinerary commands higher prices. You’ll also have opportunities to view and photograph the areas abundant wildlife. Bring binoculars and a camera to capture the stunning views and wildlife. Finally, be prepared for changes in the itinerary due to weather or other factors.
The wildlife here includes bears (black and brown), deer, mountain goats, wolves, whales, seals, sea lions, seabirds. Though the landscape is rugged, Tracy Arm plays host to a variety of wildlife species. Sure-footed Mountain goats scale the rocky cliffs, bears are sometimes seen foraging the tide-lines, and seals take refuge among the ice flows. The water at the end of the fjord is nearly 600 feet deep and when underwater calving takes place, the ice remains intact, giving us Alaska’s largest icebergs. Underwater calvings surface like giant submarines that rise over 250 feet and then settle into the water like large, blue ships. Booking a balcony provides private viewing space for both glaciers and wildlife.
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