Tracy Arm Fjord is a beautiful natural area in the Tongass National Forest. This fjord stretches over 48 km and is surrounded by tall granite cliffs. The waters are calm and dotted with icebergs, and the area is known for its glaciers, wildlife and scenic beauty.
Our journey to Tracy Arm Fjord started from Juneau, Alaska’s capital, which I previously wrote about as part of our Alaska cruise. Whether you take a cruise, charter a boat, or fly over, the trip to Tracy Arm will be quite the scenic experience. The fjord’s narrow channels are surrounded by dramatic landscapes, waterfalls and forests.
We were graced with absolutely perfect weather for the cruise down the Stephens Passage to the fjord. It was cold but with plenty of blue skies. This part of the cruise had to be the highlight for me. As a photography enthusiast, I couldn’t have asked for anything more. Enough with the words, I’ll let the scenery do the talking!
A Glacial Wonderland
Tracy Arm Fjord is home to the North Sawyer and South Sawyer glaciers. These large glaciers are the highlight of the fjord, with their striking blue ice and impressive calving displays, where chunks of ice break off and fall into the water with what is supposed to be a loud roar. The glaciers are always changing, creating a dynamic landscape.
Tracy Arm Fjord is a great place for wildlife viewing. The waters and surrounding wilderness are home to many animals, making it a prime spot for wildlife enthusiasts. You might see humpback whales, orcas, porpoises, black bears, mountain goats and bald eagles.
Perhaps because of it being September, the chunks of ice floating by were relatively small, and the wildlife pretty sparse, but we did manage to see some some wildlife hanging out on them. They were pretty far away and needed binoculars, but I’m pretty sure they were seals.
Exploring by Boat
One of the best ways to experience Tracy Arm Fjord is by boat. Whether you join a guided tour or rent a kayak, being on the water allows you to fully appreciate the fjord’s beauty. The fjord’s walls are covered with lush vegetation and waterfalls, and kayaking offers a chance to explore hidden coves and get close to the icebergs.
I wish we had experienced it in that intimate way; seeing it from the cruise ship was already an incredible experience, but in one of my images taken with the Fujinon GF250 lens, when viewed at 100%, I could see a “small” boat in front of the glacier and could only imagine how majestic it must look from that angle! I may go back just for the chance to experience that myself.
A Photographer’s Paradise
Tracy Arm Fjord is a perfect destination for photographers, offering many opportunities to capture stunning images. The interplay of light and shadow on the ice, the vibrant colours of the water and the dramatic backdrops create beautiful scenes. The GFX100 series of cameras are in their element in this environment. The In-Body Image Stabilization (IBIS) system doing its magic as the boat gently rocks as it rotates to afford everyone a good view.
Planning Your Visit
Visiting Tracy Arm Fjord requires some planning, but it’s worth it. In hindsight, I should have brought a longer lens or at least used the GF1.4x Teleconverter that I had brought with me. I got so caught up with the scenery that I forgot to take it out from the room.
Other photographers I met on the cruise indicated the best time to visit is from May to September, when the weather is better and the fjord is accessible. Several tour operators offer day trips from Juneau, with options to suit different preferences and budgets.
Conclusion
Tracy Arm Fjord showcases the beauty and wilderness of Alaska. It was the highlight of the trip and made the whole experience worthwhile. Its glaciers, wildlife and serene landscapes make it a destination that will easily captivate you.
Tracy Arm Fjord provided us an unforgettable experience. The images I took of the family together with the glacier in the background has become everyone’s favourite. As the Captain turned the ship around, there was plenty of opportunity to take images with different angles and light.
My only regret, as mentioned above, was that I didn’t bring a long enough lens to show just how immense the glacier is. If I could go back again, I would buy the Fujinon GF500 and bring the teleconverter out to the deck. To give you a sense of what this would look like, here’s a cropped image I took with the GF250.
As a photographer, you owe it to yourself to visit this place once in your life, so pack your bags, bring your camera and prepare to be awed by Tracy Arm Fjord! In the next and final post, we’ll share a few images from a quick stop in Ketchikan, where I enjoyed the world’s best burger!
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