Tracy Arm Fjord Excursion

Question

We will be in Juneau for a couple of days the third week of June and have read that a fjord tour of the Tracy Arm fjord is a worthy excursion. We will NOT be on a cruise and would like to avoid the “cruise crowd” if possible. Looking for recommendations, please, on the best company to book a fjord excursion with. Thank you in advance for any input and explanations.

Answer

The Tracy Arm Fjord excursion is absolutely a worthy choice when you’re in Juneau the third week of June. It offers a dramatic fjord, waterfalls, icebergs, and glaciers deep in wilderness. That said, because many tours are tied to cruise-ships, finding one that avoids the “cruise crowd” and fits your timeframe and style takes a little digging.

Here’s what to consider and some recommended operators that tend to cater to the independent traveler.

What to look for to avoid the cruise-ship crowd

Check for smaller group tours or independent operators (rather than large boat tours affiliated with cruise lines).
Choose a departure time that is not immediately after the cruise ship docking when dozens of tour buses unload — often earlier in the morning or later in the day helps.
Confirm the tour departs from downtown Juneau and is not a shore-excursion “add-on” where the cruise operator books the biggest boat and loads many passengers.
Ask about boat size, how many passengers max, whether you’ll be able to get close to the glacier, and how the operator handles weather/ice conditions. For example, some trips may turn into an alternate fjord (e.g., Endicott Arm) if ice conditions block Tracy Arm.

Recommended companies for your independent excursion

– Their “Tracy Arm Fjord & Glacier Explorer” is a 7-hour tour from Juneau. They highlight their vessel is purpose-built for the wilderness, include naturalist narration, and mention contingency if ice precludes entry into Tracy Arm.
– (Often the operator behind many Tracy Arm listings) Their tour details list round-trip from Juneau, ~7 hours, covering the fjord and glaciers.
– Their “Tracy Arm Fjords / Glacier Cruise” is listed as a full-day 7‐hour tour with wildlife/glacier viewing starting from Juneau. Good alternative.

My suggestion for booking and planning

Since you’re not on a cruise and presumably have flexibility with your days, I’d recommend you pick one of the above independent operators, book it in advance (especially since mid-June is a popular time) and request a departure that is slightly earlier or later than when the cruise ships are most active (typically mid-morning). That will help your “avoid the crowd” goal. Ask about passenger limits and how comfortable the boat is (outside decks + indoor cabin space) because you’ll want good visibility and comfort for the glacier visit.

What you’ll experience and what to pack

The scenery in Tracy Arm is exceptional: deep, narrow fjord walls, waterfalls streaming down, floating ice, and the dramatic face of the twin Sawyer Glaciers at the end of the fjord (weather and ice permitting). One TripAdvisor review notes: “The fjord is really beautiful … The highlight for us was the Sawyer Glacier itself. … The boat navigated through chunks of ice to get within a few hundred feet of the glacier.”

Since you’ll be there in mid-June: the weather is likely mild by Alaska standards (cool, possibly damp), and the ice and glaciers should be active. Even so, this is wilderness — bring layers, and expect cold, wind, and possibly spray if you’re outside.

Final thoughts

If forced to pick one operator, I’d choose True Alaskan Tours (or Allen Marine) for the reasons noted above: independent, designed for wilderness, good reviews. I’d aim for a departure that is less crowded (avoid peak cruise-ship time), and book sooner rather than later since spots can fill. With that in place you should be able to enjoy Tracy Arm in a more relaxed, less crowded way and make the most of your days in Juneau.

Have a wonderful time — this is one of Alaska’s true “wow” trips.