Guided Kayaking & Rentals
Experience Glacier Bay’s serenity and beauty, and explore secluded inlets surrounded by dramatic coastal mountains. Bartlett Cove offers kayakers a protected rain forest environment in which to paddle and explore. You can also paddle along the shores of Lester Island and Point Gustavus with opportunities to view a variety of land mammals, marine, and bird life. Seals, porpoise, sea otter, black bear, moose, bald eagles, and whales are some of the wildlife you can expect to see.
Day Experiences
Bartlett Cove offers kayakers a protected rain forest environment in which to paddle for the day and explore. Here, you can paddle along the shores of Lester Island and Point Gustavus with opportunities to view a variety of land mammals, marine, and bird life. Seals, porpoise, sea otter, black bear, moose, bald eagles, and whales are some of the wildlife you can expect to see. Both unguided (rentals) and guided kayaking options are provided by Glacier Bay Sea Kayaks (GBSK).
Unguided Kayaking
If you feel comfortable going on your own, GBSK kayak instructors will outfit you with an appropriate kayak and equipment, and issue additional rain gear according to your needs and the day's weather conditions. The kayak rental includes a map, basic instruction, safety presentation, hard-shell double sea kayaks, paddles, spray skirts, paddle floats, and life vests. Full-day or half-day kayak rentals are offered.
Guided Kayaking
Perhaps you prefer to join a group of like-minded explorers and kayak with an experienced guide/naturalist, stopping to view wildlife, share a lunch or snack of local delicacies, and hike briefly along shore, before returning to Bartlett Cove. Just like unguided kayaking, GBSK will set you up with the appropriate kayak and all necessary gear for a kayaking experience you won’t soon forget. Full-day or half-day guided tours are offered.
For questions or advance bookings please call 888.229.8687. Or upon arrival to Glacier Bay Lodge, front desk personnel will gladly arrange this ‘must-do’ experience for you.
Backcountry Camping & Kayaking
Experience Glacier Bay’s serenity and beauty, and explore secluded inlets surrounded by dramatic coastal mountains. The Glacier Bay Day Tour boat provides a drop off and pick up service for kayakers who wish to enjoy a multi -day camping trip in the upper reaches of the 65 mile long bay. Exploring Glacier Bay by kayak is the way to see the park, since there are no hiking trails.
For experienced campers that feel comfortable in a wilderness setting, paddlers can bring their own kayaks and purchase camper drop off and/or pick up tickets from us. Kayak rentals can be arranged with Glacier Bay Sea Kayaks (GBSK) and advanced reservations are recommended for this very popular activity.
The evening before you begin your camping & kayaking trip GBSK will meet with you to step you through the camper drop-off process, issue gear, instruct you on the equipment you will use, review your proposed paddle plan, and discuss tides, wind, distances, safety factors, fill out rental forms, and answer any trip itinerary questions you may have. This evening instruction and kayak rental session generally lasts two hours.
NOTE: The Park Service has designated drop-off and pick-up locations for kayaking/backcountry excursions, and requires that kayak/campers participate in an NPS Backcountry Camper Orientation about safe backcountry camping and obtain a free backcountry permit prior to heading off into the wilderness.
If you have your own kayak and wish to make a reservation for drop off or pick up, please call 602.331.5249. If you are renting a GBSK kayak, they will make your camper drop off and pick up reservations for you when you reserve a kayak.
