For me, Glacier Bay National Park is the most beautiful sight in Alaska. Let me share my glacier viewing photography with you.
Margerie Glacier
Margerie Glacier is the most famous glacier in Glacier Bay National Park. From a distance, Margerie Glacier is one of the most stunning views in the world with the mountain in the backdrop as well as a perfect reflection.
Ice Calving
Whilst observing the glacier you’ll hear white thunder and constant creaking. Huge chunks of ice are constantly dropping from the front of the glacier. This natural phenomenon is known as ice calving. Photographers must be quick to get a snap of the falling ice. Others, will just stand in awe at the power of mother nature.
Margerie Glacier Close Up
The part of the Margerie Glacier which we are viewing the end of a 34 km long, 1.6 km wide tidewater glacier. As a matter of fact, it starts at nearly 4000 meters altitude on the slopes of Mount Root. Mount Root is located on the US / Canada border. Finally, a tidewater glacier is one which ends at the sea and Margerie glacier is only accessible by sea.
Mount Root
Mount Root rises to an altitude of 3928 meters and marks the US / Canada border. What’s more, it’s where the Margerie Glacier begins 34 km away from your glacier viewing experience.
Marine Life in Glacier Bay National Park
Glacier Bay is home to marine life including stellar sea lions, harbor seal, sea otter, harbor porpoise and humpback whale. As a matter of fact, you’ll see several sea lions laying on the icebergs. The very icebergs which you see dropping from Margerie Glacier. Which is more rewarding, viewing a sea lion in Sea World, San Diego, or in its natural habitat here in Alaska?
Sea Lion on an Iceberg
I’m sure you agree this is a beautiful image of a sea lion relaxing on an iceberg. Imagine his viewpoint, thousands of people stood on a cruise ship watching him.
Birdwatching at Glacier Bay
There are 281 species of birds at Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska. These include Bald Eagles, Puffins, Gulls, Cormorants and if you’re very luck a Kittlitz’s Murrelet. I didn’t see a Kittlitz’s Murrelet but I was lucky enough to see a Bald Eagle sat on a glacier.
Glacier Bay Fjord
Glacier Bay is actually a 100 km long fjord with several different glaciers. Back in 1750 all the bay used to be one big glacier but due to higher temperatures in recent centuries as well as less snowfall there are now several smaller tidewater glaciers within the fjord.
If you’re lucky enough to have a sunny day when you visit Glacier Bay you’ll be rewarded with thousands of perfect glacier photos. Your glacier viewing and drive by experience will reward you with amazing reflections, sparkling blue waters, mountain views as well as sea lions sun bathing on icebergs.
Glacier Bay National Park to College Fjord
It’s an overnight cruise from Glacier Bay National Park to College Fjord. Enjoy the food and entertainment on board and pray for a clear day at College Fjord. Read about other Alaska Cruise ports in Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway.
Whilst experiencing your glacier cruising it’s important you get your photo in the bay as evidence you’ve been. haha exactly what i think when i get to all the gorgeous places but some days im not photo ready so feature strangers!
Simply beautiful! I must say, that such a trip sounds really good for me. Usually people love to see the sun (same for me 😉 ) , beaches which is nice of course but this very unique landscape of our planet really has something magical. To hear the thunder and cracking in combination with such view… wow. Would have loved to see more photos made by you from this place 🙂
Alaska was already high on my must-see list, but now I am totally sold. The sea lion on the iceberg is such a cool sight, but sad that it is made more possible by climate change. Margerie Glacier is especially spectacular and photogenic.
So much blue in there. Really wonderful spot. Did you get any pics of the ice blocks falling off.
Glacier Bay National Park is so beautiful but I’m not sure if I’d be able to handle the cold as I’m used to warmer climates. I’d love to see bears, wolverines and sea lions in their natural habitat though.
Simply beautiful! I would have loved to see more photos made by you from this place. Glacier Bay National Park is so beautiful but I’m not sure if I’d be able to handle the cold as I’m used to warmer climates. Love the photo with the sea lion.
Looking at these photos, this place can’t be real. The Margerie Glacier is absolute beauty! It’s amazing how much beauty there is!!
I have never been to a fjord! Hope to get to Alaska soon. Is there a travel company you recommend?
I’d try get an offer with Princess Cruises
Watching Polar Bears and Sea Lions in their real environment is such an incredible experience! The azure blue pictures of the Glacier are so inviting and haha great proof of your visit to the Glacier park :). Anyways, sad to hear about the glaciers melting due to the global warming, if only there was a way to save these natural wonders.
Wow this place looks amazing. Alaska has been on my list for a while but you are making it climb nearer to the top. I love glaciers and this place looks to have the perfect looking glaciers too 🙂
This might be the most beautiful national park. The glaciers remind me of Jokulsarlon in south Iceland, although I did not see any sea otters or other animals floating amongst the glaciers at Jokulsarlon. Your posts have been giving me serious travel envy! Alaska has been on my bucket list for years.
I’d really enjoy the glacier viewing!
Alaska is a destination, so far from home, but high on our bucket list. For now we can only dream about going there, and read blogs about it 🙂 Thanks for sharing and have a great weekend wherever in the world!
I will be in USA in 10 days I wish I had seen this post earlier. Glacier Bay National Park looks so good. Your pictures are stunning.
Those photos are simply incredible man, they barely look real. You’ve easily convinced me that this is somewhere I need to go ASAP!
This is incredible! The Blue glaciers look surreal. I cannot imagine what the scene would be like in real if the pictures are so astounding! And those sea lions! Super cute!
I LOVE this post! You bring the whole experience to life with the imagery of the white thunder. I want to get to glacier Bay NP so badly! Hope I can make it happen soon, but until then I might come back to this post and live vicariously through you!
Glacier Bay looks incredible James! I’m not a big adventure sports kind of person, but honestly, I’d love to try kayaking here! How lucky you were that you had good weather during your visit. I can imagine it would have been a totally different experience otherwise!
What a marvelous natural feature! James, you are so lucky to have seen this for yourself! I’ve seen so many photos of the Glacier Bay National Park that I wanted to go so bad. Your photos are equally breathtaking!