Two of the most amazing glaciers in the Kenai Fjords National Park!
Aialik Glacier - Wildlife viewing
Aialik Glacier, located in Kenai Fjords National Park, sits in the incredibly scenic and rugged Aialik Bay. As the largest tidewater glacier in the area and the largest in the Harding Icefield, it stretches over a mile wide. It is also one of the most active glaciers, with frequent calving that results in small ice chunks floating in the surrounding bay.
Aialik Glacier is approximately 50 miles away, so the round trip takes around 10–11 hours, including kayaking time.
This trip offers numerous opportunities to view wildlife and sea life. As we travel by water taxi through the wilderness to Aialik Bay, you may see puffins, loons, whales, porpoises, sea otters, eagles, and even bears, all while enjoying the stunning scenery. If witnessing a glacier calving into the water and experiencing the surprising release of energy with thunder-like sounds appeals to you, Aialik Glacier is an excellent choice.
Bear Glacier - Big icebergs
Bear Glacier offers an unmatched kayaking experience, set in a dynamic and remote environment. This impressive glacier features a freshwater pro-glacial lagoon, where a small moraine creates a unique separation from marine life. In this less-traveled area, you’ll find a remarkable number of icebergs, ensuring an awe-inspiring and humbling experience as you kayak in waters that were once glacier, amidst an ever-changing landscape. This is the perfect destination if you are searching for dramatic scenery and larger-than-life icebergs.
The experience includes a stunning round-trip helicopter flight that gives an aerial perspective of the area you will explore by kayaking. During the flights over the rugged terrain, you might spot bears, mountain goats, and bald eagles. Whale sightings are also possible when flying over the bay. While paddling in the lagoon, we often see harbor seals, various bird species, and sometimes even bears. This is truly an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime adventure!