Cruise to the Site of a Glacier

Glaciers are plentiful in Alaska and some of the best local cruises get you up close to photograph and enjoy the sight. Some in Alaska are concerned about many of the area glaciers moving, but others enjoy the way the landscape is constantly changing as the frozen landscape move closer and recede from other land masses. The Holgate Glacier is located inside of the Kenai Fjords National park. This is a tidewater glacier and is part of a collection of glaciers that make up the Harding Ice field. In order to get to the Holgate Glacier, you must take a boat trip from Seward, which are only available during the summer months. It is a long trek to the glacier, but trips typically include narration, as well as plenty to see along the route. Wildlife and scenic vistas are usually in view for most of trip. Trips often take all day, and many of the tours offer lunch or dinner. Most exciting for those viewing in the glacier is when they get to witness calving, the process that creates an avalanche effect off the glacier. Giant blocks of ice are shed as the glacier appears to split apart. There are locals and visitors who return to Alaska on the regular basis who enjoy making the trip once a year or so and plotting the change in the landscape near the glacier. Since the boats travel through national parks, there is a good chance you will get to see plenty of wildlife including moose, bear, eagles, and various smaller animals.