The Dayboat Tour is a quintessential Glacier Bay experience! Day boat tickets are a little pricey (~$270). However, the dayboat tour is a full day experience and is the only practical way to get to the see tidewater Glaciers that the park is famous for (the tidewater glaciers are over 60 miles from Bartlett Cove). In addition, the dayboat provides excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. We would love to have as many of you as possible join us for the dayboat tour on Friday, June 20th. We encourage you to book your ticket as early as possible. Folks who would like to join us need to book their tickets with the following link: https://www.visitglacierbay.com/tours/glacier-bay-day-tour/ IMPORTANT NOTES! 1)If you are hoping to enjoy this trip with us, please read our note under the 'registry' tab. 2)Weather delays and mechanical issues do occasionally happen. We highly recommend building in an extra day or two into your trip to make sure you are able to view this stunning National Park.
The Gustavus beach is a popular place for light outdoor recreation. On a clear day, the view of the Fairweather Range to the northwest is breath taking. Mount Fairweather stands at ~15,300ft making it taller than any mountain in the lower 48, but only the 7th tallest peak in Alaska! This will be the venue for the wedding ceremony.
Most recreation in Southeast Alaska is connected to the water, but there are a few local trails that we can recommend. The least strenuous trail is the Forest Loop (1 mile) in Bartlett Cove. Bartlett Cove is the National Park's developed Area where the visitor center is located. The Bartlett River and Lake Trails can also be accessed from the Bartlett Cove developed area. The maintained Bartlett River trail is a 4 mile out back. Expect muddy conditions and roots. If you want to extend the trip, you can continue your hike walking along the Bartlett River. The hydro road is located at the end of Wilson Road and leads to hydroelectric dam from Gustavus gets its power. This trail is one of the best ways to access elevation from Gustavus and on a clear day provides stunning views of the Gustavus forelands and surrounding mountain ranges. The Nagoon Berry Trail (3 miles) is a loop located closer to the center of Gustavus and is relatively flat.
Southeast Alaska is home to both black and brown bears (aka, grizzly bears). Bear viewing is awesome, and bears do not need to be feared. However, precautions must be taken to live responsibly in bear country. First, be mindful about food and trash storage. Store all food, scented items and trash in a locked vehicle or inside a hard sided building. It is safest to hike in groups and to talk amongst yourselves. If you are in an area with limited visibility (even by yourself) speak in a calm conversational voice to avoid surprising a bear. You do not need to yell. We carry bear spray when hiking and recommend that you do too. Please check out this link for information on bear encounters: https://youtu.be/s-zkGuh42l4 Moose are also common in our area and can sometime react defensively toward people. If a moose appears upset with you (e.g., ears back, stamping, snorting) create as much distance between you and the moose as quickly as you safely can. Please reach out with questions!
We live in a paradise for anglers and hunters! Booking a charter fishing trip is a great way to experience the sea and get some fish to take home with you! Alaska State Sport Fishing licenses are required and can be purchased online. If you are a diehard angler who wants to plan a DIY trip let us know and we talk about the tackle you'll need and areas to check out.
Camping is one of our favorite activities here! Glacier Bay has one campground that is first come, first served. Beyond that, all camping in Glacier Bay is backcountry kayak camping. You can visit the park website for more information and reach out to us if you'd like to try and plan an adventure.
The Taz offers one daily tour from 10 am to 1:30 pm. You would have time to do this before the wedding on Saturday!