Holgate Glacier
Holgate Glacier
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5.0
277 reviews
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spitzy135
Buffalo, NY944 contributions
Jun 2016 • Couples
We experienced Holgate Glacier as part of our 6 hour Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise out of Seward. This was the best calving glacier we saw on our Alaskan trip.
To see glaciers out of the Kenai Peninsula, you will need to take at least a 6 hr. fjords tour. Along with seeing orcas and humpbacks, seals, eagles, puffins and sea otters, we had awe inspiring views of this calving glacier up close. Holgate is not as large as Hubbard or Marjorie, and that is why you can get a little closer. Because you have the whole glacier in your field of view, you can “catch” the calving activity so much easier. Marjorie is so large that if you are not looking in the right direction, by the time you do it is over. Marjorie calves about 2 to 3 times an hour. Holgate calves around every 15 minutes.
We actually caught it on video and it is thrilling every time we watch it. The color is so blue and the sound is thunderous. The tour is a long time on the water, but it is worth it to see this magnificent event of nature. And we highly recommend Major Marine for this 6 hr. tour that offers a delicious optional prime rib and salmon buffet. Just be sure you take sea sickness meds if you have motion issues. It’s a long time to be on the water and you’ll want to enjoy every minute.
Definitely one of the best excursions we took on our Alaskan vacation.
To see glaciers out of the Kenai Peninsula, you will need to take at least a 6 hr. fjords tour. Along with seeing orcas and humpbacks, seals, eagles, puffins and sea otters, we had awe inspiring views of this calving glacier up close. Holgate is not as large as Hubbard or Marjorie, and that is why you can get a little closer. Because you have the whole glacier in your field of view, you can “catch” the calving activity so much easier. Marjorie is so large that if you are not looking in the right direction, by the time you do it is over. Marjorie calves about 2 to 3 times an hour. Holgate calves around every 15 minutes.
We actually caught it on video and it is thrilling every time we watch it. The color is so blue and the sound is thunderous. The tour is a long time on the water, but it is worth it to see this magnificent event of nature. And we highly recommend Major Marine for this 6 hr. tour that offers a delicious optional prime rib and salmon buffet. Just be sure you take sea sickness meds if you have motion issues. It’s a long time to be on the water and you’ll want to enjoy every minute.
Definitely one of the best excursions we took on our Alaskan vacation.
Written 11 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Caligurl1984
Cypress, CA49 contributions
Sept 2011 • Couples
My husband and I did the Major Marine tour to the Holgate glacier. I can't even put into words how magical it was! We saw HUGE calving! It sounded like thunder! Even without the calving it would still be amazing. The size of this thing is beyond words! As we sat there looking at this massive piece of ice, a BALD EAGLE was swooping back and forth in front of it! The pictures were priceless! I was fighting back tears, it was just so amazing! We arnt very wealthy people so we had to budget this and it was worth every penny! I will remember this for the rest of my life! On the tour you see so much more then the glaciers. We saw Humbacks, 3 Orcas, 6 bald eagles, seals and jellyfish right off the boat! Beautiful waterfalls, coves, rocks...Just unreal! A MUST SEE!
Written 6 September 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SmillerChoctaw
Choctaw, OK47 contributions
Aug 2014 • Family
This is a beautiful sight indeed. I got awesome photos. It is a magnificent glacier coming down to the water and when the ice chunks drop off it makes incredible noises. I thoroughly enjoyed this
Written 3 September 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Debbi D
mattapoisett, ma736 contributions
Aug 2020
We kayaked here with Sunny Cove. It was absolutely gorgeous. We saw a black bear walking the beach very close to the glacier. We saw lots of calving and there were tons of small icebergs in the water to taste and see. Our tour group of 10 were there only people there!
Written 8 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
majorzson
Seward, AK15 contributions
Jul 2016 • Family
Holgate Glacier is not the largest of the Glaciers, but it is one of the coolest. I've been coming to this glacier since I was a kid and I tell people that the best Glacier sounds come from Holgate Glacier. The caving of the Glacier echo's through the inlet and provides a very unique experience. Don't forget to look to left of the Glacier to find Surprise Glacier, which is one of my favorite hanging Glaciers in the Kenai National Park.
Written 9 March 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wgsmith1
14 contributions
Aug 2012 • Family
Pulling up to this glacier, turning off the engines and listening to the glacier was almost a spiritual experience for me. You could hear the glacier pop, crack, see it calve - it was a moment when I was in awe of God's creation.
Written 13 September 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
acatlover13
Lynn Haven, FL90 contributions
Jul 2022
The colors of this glacier were mesmerizing. She didn't calve while we were there, but it is a beautiful glacier
Written 30 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
goodwineandtravel
Harrisburg, PA296 contributions
Jun 2021
Saw the glacier on a boat trip. The enormity of it can't be described. We were lucky, as the boat captain had quite a bit of info about it.
Written 16 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shubh K
Vienna, VA498 contributions
May 2019 • Solo
Saw this up close during a boat tour. Glacier was calving - an awesome sight and sound! Highly recommend it!
Written 1 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tonya L
Salt Lake City, UT449 contributions
Jul 2019 • Family
This glacier is so big and beautiful. We paddled to it in kayaks and felt so very small (even at 1/2 mile out).
Written 18 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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