Silversea Luxury Cruises À Tracy Arm, Alaska

All tours are led by expert drivers and guides, using stable and very reliable MK6 zodiacs. With a maximum of only 12 guests per boat, there is plenty of room for everyone to view wildlife and other features of interest from all angles.

Upon departing the ship, your driver will take you along the coast, inland through the fjord. The near vertical cliffs, which line each side of the fjord, rise 2000+ feet directly out of the water with numerous large cascades and waterfalls running over them.

Your driver might take you right up to the base of a waterfall, leaving you feeling dwarfed by the sheer cliffs that rise straight-up from the bottom of the fjord. Along the way, your expert guide will explain how fjords are created, and give details about the geology of the region.

In 1980 this region became designated as the Tracy Arm-Ford's Terror Wilderness area, and has been within the boundaries of the Tongass National Forest since 1907, allowing the wildlife to thrive in the area. Seals haul out on the icebergs near the glaciers, porpoises swim through the arm, bears can be seen along the shoreline and in the valleys, mountain goats climb on the cliffs above the arm, and sea birds frequent the area.

Penetrate deeper into the fjord, and you will start to come across floating ice fragments - an indication you're getting close to Sawyer Glacier. As your get to within a close but safe proximity to the glacier, your guide will tell you more about the processes involved in the formation of glaciers. Listen carefully, and you might hear the ice cracking and moaning. If you watch long enough, you may even be lucky to see the glacier calving.

Please note: Although no walking is required, guests must be able to manoeuvre in and out of the zodiac which involves a high step. Ocean ride involves fast acceleration and the ride might be bumpy. This tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility, back/neck/hip problems, those who are pregnant or suffer from motion sickness or guests who utilise a wheelchair. Participants must be a minimum of 6 years of age. Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Lifejackets are provided. Child lifejackets are available. Dress in thermal layers, wear waterproof pants and jacket and sturdy comfortable shoes. You may be splashed. Space is limited. Guests must book well in advance to avoid disappointment. Bring your camera and binocular. It is recommended to have electronic equipment sealed in waterproof bags, in case of rain or spray. This zodiac tour is operated and guided by a team of guides/naturalists who will be sailing with you onboard the Silver Muse.

Discover the incredible Tracy Arm Wilderness Area, a high-walled and spectacular 30-mile fjord studded with bright blue icebergs and waterfalls. Prepare to have your breath taken away as you get up close to the twin Sawyer Glaciers, which gleam with a bright cobalt blue only found in this dreamy landscape of Alaska.

Designated in just 1980, the Tracy Arm Wilderness Area covers over 653,000 acres and consists of two major fjords, Tracy Arm and the Endicott arm, both over 30 miles long. In the summer season the fjords are filled with floating ice that ranges from a softball to a three-story house.

Make the transfer to your specially-designed, highly maneuverable boat at the entrance to the Tracy Arm Fjord and embark on your glacier exploration for three hours. Because of the abundant wildlife and awe-inspiring views of thousand-foot waterfalls, bright blue icebergs and stunning cliffs, your captain stops regularly to take time for photographs and simply taking in what you see with amazement.

As you journey, there is the option to stay on deck or retreat to the comfortable, heated cabin with plenty of window views as you receive commentary by captain and crew. Your onboard naturalist and crew are available for explanation and narration as you travel amidst the glacially-carved fjords.

There is a total of three hours to explore the full-length of this ice-carved wonderland; tracing the bases of cliffs that rise 4,000-feet above the jade-colored sea, as the onboard naturalist provides a wealth of information about the area. There is a comfortable heated cabin below deck, but be sure to spend as much time as possible out on deck to see all there is to see. Feel the mist on your face as the captain skillfully guides the vessel up to a plunging waterfall.

Enjoy the boat stopping to view Bald Eagles, Harbor Seals and if you are really lucky even Bears and Mountain Goats. Your smaller vessel allows you to get especially close to the North Sawyer Glacier. Travel past recently-calved icebergs with dozens of seals resting atop them. Stop near the face of the South Sawyer Glacier where you may hear (or even see) the calving of new ice as it breaks in a sound known as the "White thunder."

Disembark your tour vessel and transfer to the ship.

Please note: This tour involves extensive activity and is not wheelchair accessible. While there is little walking required, participants must be able to negotiate transit of a narrow, moderately steep gangway with only minor assistance to embark and disembark the tour vessel. Guests suffering from motion sickness are recommended to take Dramamine well in advance of tour. Guests are recommended to wear warm wool or fleece layers, a waterproof jacket, hat, gloves and comfortable shoes for walking, and to bring camera and cash or credit card for food or souvenir purchases. Wildlife sightings are likely but not guaranteed. This tour operates in a remote wilderness area, where weather and ice conditions can alter both the duration and route of the journey, including shipside embarkation/disembarkation areas.

Tracy Arm is a world class paddling destination. The near vertical cliffs, which line each side of the fjord, rise 2000+ feet directly out of the water with numerous large cascades and waterfalls running over them.

Your adventure begins with an on-board equipment and safety orientation by your guides. You'll then depart from the ship by Zodiac, and embark your kayak in a chosen location.

You will then begin paddling along the coast, feeling dwarfed by the sheer cliffs rising straight-up from the bottom of the fjord. Take your kayak right to the base of a cascading waterfall. Along the way, your expert guides will explain how fjords are created, and give details about the geology of the region. As you penetrate deeper into the fjord, you will start to come across floating ice fragments, an indication you're getting close to Sawyer Glacier.

In 1980 this region became designated as the Tracy Arm-Ford's Terror Wilderness area, and has been within the boundaries of the Tongass National Forest since 1907, allowing the wildlife to thrive in the area. Seals haul out on the icebergs near the glaciers, porpoises swim through the arm, bears can be seen along the shoreline and in the valleys, mountain goats climb on the cliffs above the arm, and sea birds are everywhere.

As your get to within a close but safe proximity to the glacier, your guide will tell you more about the processes involved in the formation of glaciers. Listen carefully, and you might hear the ice cracking and moaning. On a clear day, you may even be lucky enough to see the glacier calving.

Please note: This tour is recommended only for guests in good physical condition and requires up to 60-minutes of paddling. Although no walking is required, guests must be able to climb into the transfer Zodiac and to lift their own weight to transfer from the Zodiac into the kayak and vice versa. This tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility or those who utilise a wheelchair, and for guests who suffer from bodily injuries which prevents the movement of all joints. Tour is conducted in 2-person kayaks, in groups of up to 6 kayaks. Lifejacket, dry suit, Neoprene booties, gloves, and dry bags are provided. Maximum available dry suit size is XXL. We suggest you wear warm, comfortable, flexible clothing to wear under the dry suit. Wear long-sleeved thermal layers, a warm hat with a brim, sunglasses, propylene, wool, silk or synthetic clothing (not cotton as it has poor heat retention when it is damp or wet). The minimum age to participate is 16 years. Under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Guests must be able to speak conversational English in order to understand safety instructions. Some prior kayaking experience is required to participate in this activity. Binoculars, cameras and UV protection are recommended. We strongly suggest to book well in advance as space is very limited. This kayak tour is operated and guided by a team of guides/naturalists who will be sailing with you onboard the Silver Muse.