Quick Details
Adult
Ages 18+
$ 999
Child
Ages 10 to 17
$ 999
Join us for the best kayak glacier tour!
How can we begin to describe Bear Glacier? Let’s start with the facts. As the largest glacier within the Harding Icefield of Kenai Fjords National Park, it stretches over 12 miles in length and 3 miles in width. This impressive glacier is located 14 miles south of Seward, and within Bear Glacier Lagoon, you’ll encounter massive icebergs ranging in size from a car to a shopping mall. Experiencing them in person is the only way to truly appreciate the untouched beauty of this remarkable location.
Kayaking in such an awe-inspiring environment offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Witnessing the piercing blue ice, hearing the thunderous cracks as ice calves around you, and pausing in moments of silence to appreciate the remote location are just glimpses of what words can convey about this place.
For all these reasons, we prioritize honoring this magical place with every visit. It’s often said that a picture is worth a thousand words, yet even pictures cannot fully capture the experience of Bear Glacier. As highlighted above, this is the quintessential glacial experience in Alaska! The only regret you’ll have is not staying longer.
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- This trip typically lasts between 9-10 hours, door-to-door, including flight time. On average, the total paddling time is between 5-6 hours.
- How do we get out there? We take you on a 15-minute helicopter ride (Robinson 44 or 66) to our private campsite in the lagoon. This scenic flight offers unparalleled views of Kenai Fjords National Park, as you fly through the mountains and coastline of Alaska, with unique views of the mountains, coastline, icebergs, and Bear Glacier. For extended flight options to see more of the coastline and mountains, please call us.
- The paddling experience –This paddle is like no other that you will find in this part of Alaska. The icebergs can be beautiful but also can be very unpredictable and hazardous due to their movements. Your guide will lead you through this area providing glacial interpretation and travel routes as you paddle and view these beautiful icebergs. Bear Glacier is an extremely dynamic environment and each trip is a unique experience.
- Is there any wildlife viewing? – Look for bears, mountain goats, and bald eagles as you fly over these rugged areas and there is a chance of seeing whales when flying over the bay. Often, we see harbor seals, many different birds and bears as we paddle around the lagoon. We usually see “Henry”, our old reliable harbor seal that likes to hang around our campsite!
- How many people are on the trips?– We keep a ratio of 1:6 for all our kayaking trips. While the ratio may vary by trip, we ensure it will not exceed this limit. This is a group activity; we will move as fast as our slowest kayakers. Don’t want to join a group? Check out our private trip options! (Private trips are a common request for Bear Glacier).
- What kind of kayaks?– All of our guests are in tandem sea kayaks; we do not offer single kayaks for our group trips.
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- Full rain gear, dry bags, PFDs
- Pick up/drop off to and from local Seward hotels, lodges and campgrounds
- Lunch, snacks, hot drinks
- 30-minute scenic helicopter ride (round trip)
- A trip of a lifetime!
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- Always bring layers and rain gear if you don’t want to use ours. Your Guide will make sure it’s up to snuff for this trip
- Hat, gloves, sunglasses and your camera!
- Water bottle and snacks
- A tip for your great Guide!
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- Is it dangerous out in Bear Glacier? – Don’t get us wrong, there is always inherit risks and it can be difficult to get there, but this is an added reason to what makes Bear Glacier so special. We take these trips very seriously; we have strict operation practices and we always maintain a safe distance in the case of icebergs rolling.
Rick Brown, owner at Adventure Sixty North, first came to Seward in 1997 and has been a full-time resident since 2004. As one of the first three pioneers to start guiding in Bear Glacier, Rick’s early experience means we have more experience than any other guiding company.Some avoid operating in the lagoon for the fear of glacial outburst floods, or “jökulhlaups.” but in all our years of operation, we have never encountered a flood that risked our trips. We also actively monitor conditions for potential risks.Bear Glacier is a place you must respect, and we are confident that you will want to return once you have experienced its beauty.
- This trip runs rain or shine. Seward is in a temperate rainforest, so assume it will be raining! We provide complete rain gear for all participants.
- Is it dangerous out in Bear Glacier? – Don’t get us wrong, there is always inherit risks and it can be difficult to get there, but this is an added reason to what makes Bear Glacier so special. We take these trips very seriously; we have strict operation practices and we always maintain a safe distance in the case of icebergs rolling.
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As part of our safety protocol, we need to confirm each participant’s weight for the helicopter flight. Please ensure the weight you provide is accurate, including clothing and shoes.Helicopters operate within strict weight limitations. Inaccurate weight submissions may necessitate a helicopter upgrade or additional flights, the cost of which would be the responsibility of the guests. In the event that these costs are not covered, we would have to cancel the trip without a refund.
Our Guides –We are very proud of our guide team, and you’ll understand why after just one trip with us! All of our guides hold ACA Level 2 certification, which includes extensive training in water rescues, group management, and more. They also maintain current Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certifications and participate in a comprehensive three-week training course each season to enhance their skills. For guides operating in the Bear Glacier area, additional specialized training and a rigorous assessment are required to ensure they are fully prepared for this unique environment.