Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier Guide

Admire the pristine, untouched natural beauty of Endicott Arm Fjord, a 30-mile stretch of water located at the southern end of the Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness area. Experience breathtaking scenery as you sail past steep granite cliffs, floating icebergs, and cascading waterfalls on an Alaska cruise.

During your cruise down Endicott Arm, look for groups of adorable harbor seals that are often found lounging on chunks of ice or diving around the icy water. Your journey through this majestic waterway will end with a show-stopping visit to Dawes Glacier, where you’ll witness the thunderous roar of ice as it crashes into the sea during a calving display.

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Top Sights and Attractions on Cruises Through Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier

Dawes Glacier

Standing over 600 feet tall and half a mile wide, Dawes Glacier is a sight to behold. This stunning river of ice is actually made up of two glaciers that are united by a medial moraine (the ridge where both glaciers meet) in the center. Dawes Glacier is a popular attraction because of its consistent calving displays, when large chunks of ice detach from the glacier’s wall and fall into the water below, creating an enthralling sound known as white thunder.

Wildlife Sightings

Throughout Alaska, there are ample opportunities to enjoy wildlife sightings, and Endicott Arm is no exception. Keep your eyes open for humpback whales breaching in the water, mountain goats making their way along the jagged cliffs, brown bears walking across the valleys, and bald eagles soaring overhead. You might also spot harbor seals, black-tailed deer, moose, and wolves in the distance.

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Top Things to Do in Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier

Get Up Close to Dawes Glacier

Board a high-speed expedition vessel and set off through the jade waters of Endicott Arm, a natural paradise that was once called a “wild, untamed Yosemite” by naturalist John Muir. Bring a pair of binoculars and search for bald eagles, harbor seals, humpback whales, and brown bears. Finish off your Endicott Arm expedition by getting as close as possible to the face of Dawes Glacier, where you are more than likely to witness a large chunk of ice calving into the sea.

Culture and History of Endicott Arm Fjord

Endicott Arm is one of two fjords located within the Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness, a 653,000-acre nature preserve. The Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness is named after the former Secretary of the Navy Benjamin Franklin Tracy and a US sailor called Ford, who made his way into the waterway adjacent to Endicott Arm and found himself battling hard currents and tidal surges for six terrifying hours.

Local Currency & Tipping Customs

Alaska uses the U.S. dollar as its official currency. You’ll be cruising during your time through Endicott Arm, but if you do sign up for the shore excursion, you can tip your tour provider anything from 15% to 20% of the total cost of your tour.

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