Sailing Through the Endicott Arm to the Dawes Glacier

After spending a couple of days in Seattle, Washington, we boarded our cruise ship and sailed northwards to Alaska. We were scheduled to sail through Tracy Arm Fjord but due to the high density of ice, we ended up going through Endicott Arm instead. I have to tell you, I was not at all disappointed by the change in our itinerary!

What is the Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier?

Both the Tracy Arm and Endicott Arm are fjords in Alaska, about 45 miles outside of Juneau. The arms are the heart of the Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness. Both fjords are over 30 miles long, with 1/5 of this area covered in ice.

How is this area accessed?

Both fjords are typically accessed via the Stephens Passage and entering Holkham Bay. Float planes from Juneau and Petersburg also frequent the area.

Both fjords are commonly visited by cruise ships.

Our Experience

Endicott Arm & the Dawes Glacier were awe-inspiring. The combination of the gorgeous azure water, stunning jagged rocks, the Alaskan sub-alpine vegetation, countless waterfalls, the vibrant blue ice drifting by, and, of course, the wildlife, was more than I ever dreamed of!

What animals did we spot in the Endicott Arm?

• Humpbacks
• Dall’s porpoises
• Seals
• Eagles

We spotted our second humpback while entering the fjord. The opening was full of humpbacks feeding! Our friends were staying in a cabin at the stern (very back of the boat) that featuring an enormous wrap-around cabin. We were able to see countless whales playing in the ship’s wake as we made our way closer to the glacier!

The closer and closer we got to Dawes Glacier, the more vibrant blue the water became. We passed countless icebergs like this one. Aren’t they gorgeous?

Dozens of waterfalls flanked both sides of the passage cascading from high up in the mountains and splashing into the crystal clear blue water. Aren’t they incredible?

Although I was initially disappointed we weren’t able to go into Tracy Arm Fjord, Endicott Arm Fjord exceeded every one of my expectations. It was a fantastic introduction to Alaska!Save a Pin & Start Planning Your Adventure!