Open to kayakers of all skill levels, our Glacier Bay East Arm expedition is the perfect way to experience this fascinating and rapidly changing ecosystem. We’ll paddle to quiet beaches and secluded coves in our sleek tandem kayaks. We’ll watch for signs of brown bear and moose as we glide by miles of pristine coastline. We’ll see rafts of sea otters and look for harbor seals hauled out on floating icebergs. We’ll witness the spectacle of humpback whales sounding, breaching and feeding in these nutrient rich waters. In the long evening twilight, we’ll listen for the thrilling sound of wolves howling in the distance. In camp, overlooking the protected waters of the bay, we’ll savor delicious backcountry meals. The adventure is a feast for the senses!

Our trip begins with a boat ride to Muir Point, named for the 19th century naturalist John Muir, who studied the bay’s glaciers and was enchanted by the region’s stark beauty. We’ll immediately set out to paddling, making our way up Muir Inlet past rocky beaches and stunning mountain scenery.

This is a young landscape, recently exposed by retreating glaciers: new forests of alder and willow, as well as meadows of wildflowers reclaim the scoured landscape. In early summer we’ll have excellent opportunities to see brown bear, moose, and mountain goats as they forage on tender green shoots. As we paddle, we’ll keep our eyes open for harbor seals, porpoise, and an occasional orca or humpback whale feeding in the pristine waters.

As we make our way deeper into the park, the McBride glacier beckons. From a safe distance, we’ll have a front-row seat to take in the sights and sounds of this extraordinary natural wonder: to hear and feel the thunderous crash of ice blocks calving into the bay; to listen to the bubbling of icebergs as they slowly melt. From kayaks and on foot, you’ll have two days to discover the wonders of the McBride and Riggs glaciers; and depending on conditions, possibly a trip to the Muir glacier as well.

Our experienced guides, in addition to cooking superb meals and leading you to places off the beaten track, provide you with fascinating stories of the history and ecology of this rugged landscape. Spirit Walker’s Glacier Bay East Arm expedition is a truly unique way to immerse yourself in Southeast Alaska’s premier national park. Far from the crowds, you’ll experience the solitude found in paddling a kayak through a glacial fjord, walking remote beaches, and emerging from your tent each morning to the peaceful quiet of the Alaskan wilderness.

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The National Park Service, Department of Interior authorizes Spirit Walker Expeditions as a Concessioner to provide guided overnight kayaking trips within Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve.