Scenic cruising · United States · Alaska
Tracy Arm & Endicott Arm scenic cruising guide
Tracy Arm and Endicott Arm are neighboring fjords south of Juneau, and a scenic-cruising stop on many Alaska itineraries. There's no docking: ships sail between sheer granite walls, waterfalls and drifting icebergs toward the Sawyer Glaciers in Tracy Arm or Dawes Glacier in Endicott Arm. Ice often decides which fjord you visit and how far in your ship can go.
- Fjord scenery
- Glaciers
- Waterfalls
- Wildlife
Photo: InformationCraftsman, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Country
- United States
- Region
- Alaska
- Type of stop
- Scenic cruising
- Language
- English. The ship's naturalist or bridge team usually narrates in English.
- Currency
- None needed: there's no going ashore, so anything you buy is charged to your shipboard account in U.S. dollars.
- Best time to visit
- June–August
- Average highs
- 33–63°F through the year
About Tracy Arm & Endicott Arm
Both fjords lie within the Tracy Arm–Fords Terror Wilderness in the Tongass National Forest. Tracy Arm is narrow and winding, roughly 30 miles (50 km) long, with cliffs rising thousands of feet and twin glaciers, North and South Sawyer, at its head. Endicott Arm, just to the south, is wider and ends at Dawes Glacier.
Ships usually enter early in the morning, often at dawn, then continue to Juneau later the same day. Narrow bends and floating ice mean large ships often can't get all the way to the glacier faces, especially in early summer, and captains frequently switch to Endicott Arm if Tracy Arm is too icy. Either way, the cruise in is dramatic.
It's a must for scenery lovers and photographers, and the narrow walls make it feel more intimate than an open-bay glacier. Be ready to get up early and to accept that the final approach to a glacier is never guaranteed.
How the scenic cruising day works
There's no docking or tendering in Tracy Arm or Endicott Arm; you stay on board while the ship cruises into the fjord and back out, typically over several hours in the early morning. The captain decides which fjord to enter and how far to go based on ice, visibility and the ship's size. Some lines sell an excursion in which you transfer to a smaller catamaran that can get much closer to the glacier face, then continues on to meet the ship in Juneau. Watch from the bow if it's open, forward-facing outer decks or a balcony; in narrow Tracy Arm, both sides of the ship have good views of the walls.
Best things to do in Tracy Arm & Endicott Arm on a cruise
- 1
Sawyer Glaciers
scenery
At the head of Tracy Arm, the North and South Sawyer glaciers spill into the fjord, calving icebergs into the water. Large ships often stop short of the faces because of ice, but even a distant view framed by towering walls is memorable. Smaller boats can usually get closer.
- 2
Dawes Glacier in Endicott Arm
scenery
When Tracy Arm is too icy, or on itineraries that schedule it, ships head to Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier. The fjord is wider, so larger ships can sometimes get closer to the glacier face here than in Tracy Arm.
- 3
Granite walls and waterfalls
nature
The fjords are lined with sheer, glacier-carved cliffs and waterfalls that cascade from snowfields high above. The scale is hard to grasp until a waterfall drops right beside the ship.
- 4
Icebergs and blue ice
scenery
Floating ice drifts down the fjords from the glaciers, some of it glowing deep blue. Watch for harbor seals resting on the floes, especially in early summer.
- 5
Wildlife spotting
wildlife
Look for mountain goats on cliffs, black bears along the shoreline, bald eagles and, near the fjord entrances, whales. Binoculars make a big difference in spotting animals against the rock.
- 6
Small-boat glacier excursion
adventure
Where offered, this excursion transfers you from the ship to a smaller vessel that navigates closer to the Sawyer Glaciers, then takes you on to Juneau. It's a long, cold day but the best way to see a glacier face up close.
Tracy Arm & Endicott Arm weather by month
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 331 | 330 | 383 | 447 | 5010 | 5614 | 6317 | 6217 | 5613 | 468 | 373 | 330 |
| Low °F (°C) | 23-5 | 21-6 | 25-4 | 341 | 447 | 4910 | 5513 | 5412 | 489 | 383 | 28-2 | 24-5 |
| Rain in (mm) | 11.6295 | 8.9225 | 7.0179 | 6.9174 | 5.9150 | 6.4163 | 8.4214 | 11.0279 | 12.6321 | 14.1357 | 12.1307 | 11.4290 |
| Daylight (hrs) | 7 | 9 | 12 | 14 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 8 | 7 |
What to eat and drink in Tracy Arm & Endicott Arm
Since you stay on the ship, many cruisers order room service breakfast to eat on the balcony while sailing in, or grab coffee and pastries to take on deck. Some ships serve hot drinks outside during the scenic cruise. A window table in the buffet is a warm alternative.
Tips for your port day
- Set an alarm; the ship often enters the fjord around dawn, and the best scenery comes early.
- Dress in warm, waterproof layers with a hat and gloves for time on deck.
- Bring binoculars and a zoom lens for wildlife and distant glacier faces.
- Don't be disappointed if the ship switches to Endicott Arm; the scenery is equally dramatic.
- If you book a small-boat excursion, confirm the meeting point and timing in Juneau.
Cruise lines that visit Tracy Arm & Endicott Arm
Often on the same itinerary
Tracy Arm & Endicott Arm cruise FAQs
Do you get off the ship in Tracy Arm?
No. Tracy Arm and Endicott Arm are scenic-cruising stops. You stay aboard unless you've booked a small-boat excursion that transfers you to another vessel.
Why did my cruise go to Endicott Arm instead of Tracy Arm?
Usually because of ice. Tracy Arm is narrow, and when floating ice is heavy, large ships can't navigate safely, so captains switch to the wider Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier.
Will the ship get close to the Sawyer Glaciers?
Not always. Ice and narrow bends often keep large ships some distance away. Smaller boats on excursions can usually get closer.
What time does the ship enter Tracy Arm?
Usually early in the morning, often around dawn, before continuing to Juneau. Your daily program will give approximate times.
Is Tracy Arm worth getting up early for?
Yes. The fjord's sheer walls, waterfalls and icebergs are among the most dramatic sights on an Alaska cruise, and the best views come early.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: Wikipedia, Wikidata, NASA POWER climate data.