Seward: Bear Glacier Helicopter Tour with Beach Landing

Picture this: taking off from Seward Airport, soaring over shimmering Resurrection Bay, and then touching down on a remote Alaskan beach to see towering icebergs and a vast, crevassed glacier up close. This helicopter tour costs $479 per person and lasts about an hour — but what you get in return is genuinely memorable. You won’t just be a spectator; you’ll be part of an intimate adventure that combines stunning natural sights with the thrill of flight and the quiet beauty of untouched wilderness.

What makes this experience special? First, the personalized small group size — limited to just four travelers — means you’ll enjoy a more relaxed, engaging trip with your pilot/guide Trevor, who’s praised for being knowledgeable, professional, and friendly. Second, the opportunity to explore a remote Alaskan beach and see the glacier calving (that’s ice breaking off into the water), which is a rare and powerful sight.

On the downside, a consideration is the weight restrictions — guests over 250 lbs incur a surcharge, and larger helicopters may be needed for guests over 300 lbs. This is a common reality in helicopter tours, but it’s worth planning ahead.

This tour suits travelers who crave authentic, intimate encounters with wild landscapes, enjoy seeing wildlife, and don’t mind a bit of adventure in their day. If you’re the kind of person who appreciates stunning scenery, personal guides, and the chance to see glaciers and icebergs close-up, this tour could be right up your alley.

Key Points

• Unique Experience: Combines helicopter flight with a beach landing on a remote Alaskan shoreline.
• Stunning Views: Over Resurrection Bay, Kenai Fjords, and Bear Glacier, with opportunities to see marine wildlife feeding below.
• Small Group: Limited to four participants for a more personal experience and better interaction with your pilot.
• Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for moose, Dall sheep, black bears, and marine animals during the flight.
• Authentic Interaction: Explore a glacier and icebergs up close, hearing the calving and cracking of ice in real time.
• Value for Money: While $479 is not cheap, it covers a comprehensive, personalized adventure in an extraordinary setting.

You can check availability for your dates here:

An In-Depth Look at the Seward Bear Glacier Helicopter Tour

Starting Point: Seward Airport and Resurrection Bay

Your adventure begins at Seward Airport — a small but well-equipped launchpad for many Alaskan excursions. From here, the helicopter takes you over Resurrection Bay, a waterway renowned for its abundant marine life and stunning mountain scenery. As the helicopter ascends, you’ll enjoy panoramic views of rugged cliffs, snow-capped peaks, and possibly some wildlife — moose, Dall sheep, or even black bears — feeding in the forests below. The tour’s small group size (just four people) means you won’t feel lost in a crowd or rushed through the scenery.

The Flight into Kenai Fjords National Park

After about 15 minutes of scenic flying, you’ll reach the heart of the trip: Kenai Fjords National Park. Here, the highlight is Bear Glacier, one of the most accessible and impressive glaciers in the region. Your pilot, Trevor, is praised for his professionalism and deep knowledge, which adds value to the experience. He helps you understand the glacier’s features — massive crevasses and towering ice formations — while pointing out icebergs floating in the lagoon.

The Beach Landing and Exploration

Landing on the shore of the lagoon is where this tour becomes truly distinctive. In other glacier excursions, you stay in the air, but here, you step out onto a quiet, untouched beach. This is not a tourist trap — it’s a real, remote landscape, with icy chunks washed up on the shore and the glacier towering above you. The 35 minutes spent exploring allows you to hear the calving glacier, see the ice up close, and get a sense of the scale and power of this frozen landscape.

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Wildlife and the Return Flight

As you lift off again to head back, the pilot stays low enough over Resurrection Bay to give you a final chance to spot marine wildlife, such as feeding seals or distant whales, if you’re lucky. The return flight offers more spectacular views of the bay, mountains, and glaciers, making the entire trip a layered visual feast.

Practical Details

Transportation to the helicopter is included with pickup from select Seward hotels, notably the Hotel Edgewater. The tour lasts about one hour, with 15 minutes in flight and 35 minutes on the ground. Remember, you’ll need comfortable shoes, warm clothing, and a camera — the scenery is worth capturing.

The tour’s price of $479 reflects a premium experience, but it’s justified by the personalized service, the chance to land on a glacier, and the rarity of the sights. The small group size ensures you’re not just along for the ride but part of a more intimate adventure.

Authentic Experiences and What Travelers Say

One reviewer, Karen, sums it up well: “Great activity and company. Amazing views and the guide/pilot, Trevor, was professional, knowledgeable, and friendly.” Her praise highlights that this isn’t just about scenery but about the quality of the guide and the personal touch. The ability to hear and see the glacier calving — an active, noisy, and awe-inspiring process — is a real highlight, giving a sense of the glacier’s vitality.

Another traveler appreciates the stunning vistas and the chance to get close to icebergs and glaciers — experiences that are hard to replicate elsewhere and make this tour a high-value option for nature lovers. The limited size of the group makes interaction with the pilot more engaging and allows for a more relaxed pace.

Who Should Consider This Tour?

This experience is ideal for travelers who value personalized encounters with wilderness and are eager to see glaciers, icebergs, and wildlife up close. It suits those comfortable with helicopter flights and interested in a combination of adventure and education. If you’re looking for a once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunity or seeking a deeper connection to the Alaskan landscape, this tour delivers.

However, if you have weight restrictions or prefer a more budget-friendly sightseeing option, keep that in mind. The tour emphasizes exclusivity and quality over mass-market appeal, making it perfect for travelers who prioritize authentic, intimate experiences.

FAQs

Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup and drop-off from select Seward hotels, including the Hotel Edgewater, are included.

How long does the tour last?
The total experience is about one hour, with approximately 15 minutes of flight time and 35 minutes exploring the shore.

What should I bring?
Comfortable shoes, warm clothing, and a camera are recommended — the scenery is spectacular and worth documenting.

Are there weight restrictions?
Yes, guests over 250 lbs incur a $150 surcharge, and larger helicopters are available for guests over 300 lbs. Accurate weights are required at booking.

Can I see wildlife?
While wildlife sightings depend on luck, the flight over Resurrection Bay offers opportunities to see marine animals or feeding birds.

Is this a small group tour?
Yes, limited to four participants, making for a more relaxed and engaging experience.

What is the cost?
The tour costs $479 per person, which reflects the exclusive, personalized nature of this adventure.

This helicopter tour from Seward offers a rare blend of adventure, natural beauty, and intimacy with Alaska’s stunning glacial landscapes. The chance to land on a remote beach and witness a calving glacier close-up elevates it beyond a standard sightseeing flight. The knowledgeable guide, Trevor, adds context and friendliness, making the entire trip feel personal.

While the price is on the higher side, the experience’s quality, exclusivity, and memorable scenery make it excellent value for those looking for a meaningful Alaskan adventure. It’s best suited for nature lovers, photography enthusiasts, and anyone eager for an authentic, close-up encounter with glaciers, icebergs, and wild Alaska. If that sounds like your kind of trip, this helicopter adventure will not disappoint.

Feel free to reach out with any questions or to check availability. Your Alaskan glacier adventure awaits — just remember to bring your sense of wonder and a camera.

You can check availability for your dates here: