2025 Hoonah-Angoon Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in April)

Most first-time Alaskan cruisers probably choose the Glacier Bay cruise, but we heard it can be difficult to see the glaciers there, so we chose the Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier cruise on the Discovery Princess - no regrets. The captain brought us pretty close to the Dawes Glacier early in the morning (~5-6am). We spent some time admiring the beautiful glacier nestled in the mountains while surrounded by floating ice chunks and ribbon waterfalls. These areas cannot be accessed by land, so we’re glad we managed to see this area on the cruise. #us #usatravel #alaska #glacier

#cruiseholiday Glacier Bay is one of the most breathtaking cruise destinations in the world, offering stunning views of massive glaciers, snow-capped mountains, and abundant wildlife. Cruisers can witness glaciers calving into the sea, creating a dramatic and unforgettable spectacle. The bay is home to marine life like humpback whales, sea lions, and seals, while bald eagles soar above. National Park rangers often come aboard to provide insights into the area's history and ecosystem. With its pristine natural beauty and awe-inspiring landscapes, Glacier Bay is a must-see destination for any Alaskan cruise, offering a once-in-a-lifetime experience of the Arctic wilderness.

Below is an introduction to Alaska's blue glaciers: Formation - Principles of Physical Optics: Over vast periods, glacial ice becomes highly compressed, reducing internal air bubbles and making it extremely dense. When light penetrates the ice, most wavelengths are absorbed, while shorter blue wavelengths are less readily absorbed and penetrate deeper, scattering and reflecting more, giving the glacier its blue hue. - Oxygen Enrichment: During glacier formation, accumulating snow compresses, gradually releasing gases like nitrogen. However, under immense pressure, oxygen bonds with ice crystals, forming structures similar to impurities in gemstones, also contributing to the blue color of glacial ice. Main Distribution Blue glaciers are scattered throughout Alaska's fjords and valleys. Glacier Bay National Park, Mendenhall Glacier, College Fjord, and Tracy Arm Fjord are all excellent locations for viewing blue glaciers. Famous Glaciers - Hubbard Glacier: North America's largest tidewater glacier, spanning 76 miles and reaching depths of 1,200 feet. Its highest point is equivalent to a 40-story building. It surges rapidly into the Gulf of Alaska, forming Yakutat Bay, an area rich in wildlife. - Spencer Glacier: Located deep in the Alaskan mountains. From Anchorage, travel to Whittier, then transfer to a train to reach the Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop. From there, a trail leads to Spencer Glacier. Viewing Methods - Cruise Tours: Cruises offer access deep into the fjords, providing close-up views of the magnificent blue glaciers, as well as witnessing dramatic events like calving and floating icebergs. - Helicopter Tours: Helicopter tours provide aerial perspectives of the blue glaciers, offering panoramic views of the entire glacier and its breathtaking intersection with mountains and ocean. - Hiking Expeditions: With professional guides, hike closer to the blue glaciers, experiencing their cold majesty firsthand. You can even touch the ice and observe its textures and structures.

Glacier Bay National Park covers 3.3 million acres and includes rugged mountains, dynamic glaciers, temperate rainforests, wild coastlines, and deep fjords. It is a highlight of Alaska's Inside Passage. The park is also part of a World Heritage Site, which spans 25 million acres and is one of the largest international protected areas in the world.

glacier bay in Alaska , an incredible snow mountain 🏔

Glacier Bay National Park, located in southeast Alaska, is a spectacular display of glaciers, snow-capped mountains, and ocean coastlines. Known for its dynamic landscape constantly reshaped by glacier movements, this park offers one of the most intact glacial environments accessible today, showcasing a stunning array of wildlife and breathtaking natural beauty. What to Expect Visitors to Glacier Bay experience a remote wilderness that is predominantly accessed by boat or seaplane. The park is home to a diverse range of ecosystems, from temperate rainforests on the lower slopes to icy glacier peaks. Wildlife sightings may include humpback whales, sea otters, moose, and bears, providing an unparalleled opportunity for wildlife photography and observation. Experiences and Recommendations A boat tour through the bay is essential for witnessing the grandeur of the glaciers and getting up close to the ice that shapes this unique landscape. Kayaking among icebergs offers an intimate look at the park’s marine environment. For those who prefer land-based adventures, trails like the Bartlett Cove Forest Loop provide great opportunities for hiking and encountering local flora and fauna. Tips and Tricks The best time to visit Glacier Bay is during the summer months, from June to August, when the weather is mildest and the days are longest. Visitors should prepare for changeable weather by packing layers, including waterproof gear. Due to its remote location, it's important to book accommodations and tours well in advance, especially if planning to stay at the limited lodging available within the park itself. #GlacierBayBeauty #AlaskaWild #NaturalWonders #EcoAdventure #WildernessExploration #RemoteDestinations #mytravelhacks#historicallandmarks#localguides

More than 13,000 square kilometers of mountains, glaciers, and forests are in front of our eyes. The tens of stories of glaciers collapsed not far away, and ice borne over the sea. Our cruises enter the Alaska Glacier National Park from the Ice Gorge, only a few degrees in temperature, but let us feel the pure land of the Earth at close range. On the cruise, you can see the otters, the sea lions backstroke on the water, the sun, the brown bears wandering on the side of the mountain, the setting sun falls into the sea, here is the secret of the Ice Age.

Cruise Glacier Bay National Park