Juneau Shore Excursion: Helicopter Tour and Guided Icefield Walk

A glacier landing feels unreal.

This Juneau shore excursion takes you to the ice fast, with a helicopter flight over the Juneau Icefield and a real landing on Herbert Glacier. Two things I especially like: you get close-up glacier time on foot, not just a viewpoint, and the ride is explained by your pilot-guide (and yes, people often rave about names like Keith, Cameron, Cody, and Markus for making it personal). One consideration, though, is that the experience depends heavily on weather, so it can get delayed or canceled when conditions are not right.

Here’s the practical version. You’ll be in and out quickly, with an approx 2 hours 30 minutes total run time, including transport to the heliport and your return to the cruise terminal. You’ll also want to take the weight and dress rules seriously, because small mistakes can cause problems with seating and timing.

Bottom line: this is one of the most action-forward glacier tours you can do from Juneau, but you’re paying for convenience, speed, and rare access. If you’re hoping for zero risk of cancellation, you should know that glacier flights are a weather game.

Key things that make this tour work so well

• Helicopter drop onto Herbert Glacier: you touch down on the ice, then go for a guided walk
• Narrated flight over the Juneau Icefield: you see icefalls, rock features, and big scale from the air
• Pilot-guide on the ground: you get landmarks and geology explained during your walk
• Small group size: up to 12 people, which tends to make the timing and attention feel tighter
• Hands-on cold water moment: you may get the chance to sip fresh glacier water during the stop

Why Herbert Glacier on foot is the real draw

If you like your Alaska days to feel like an actual adventure, this tour hits the nerve. Juneau has plenty of scenery, but most “glacier” moments are from a distance. Here, you get a landing on Herbert Glacier and time to walk the snow-and-ice surface with a guide who’s flying the operation and navigating the terrain.

I like that the glacier walk is not treated like a photo op and then goodbye. Your pilot-guide points out what you’re seeing while you’re there, including notable landmarks and local geology. People consistently mention that the pilot takes time to answer questions, and that can matter a lot if you have kids asking 40 questions (or if you want to understand what you’re looking at beyond the wow factor).

Two practical wins come with that. First, you see the glacier in a way your eyes can measure, not just a shape in the distance. Second, you get a sense of the icefield’s scale from both angles, from above in the helicopter and from ground level during the walk.

The stop-by-stop flow, and what each part is really doing

This excursion is built to use the helicopter where it matters most, then shift to walking where you can get the best “close-up” experience.

Coastal Helicopters and the flight to Herbert Glacier

You’ll start with transportation from the cruise terminal area or a central meeting spot, and then head to the heliport area. En route, there’s commentary from your driver. You’ll get a safety briefing, then the helicopter ride begins.

This first flight segment is about access. Most of what you’re seeing out there is too far or too rough for a vehicle ride. From the air, you can spot how the icefield sits over mountains and how the glacier and rock formations relate. Your pilot navigates based on conditions, so your exact route can vary with weather.

A note I think you’ll appreciate: the aircraft and timing are weight sensitive. You’ll be weighed at the facilities, and you’ll want to select the correct passenger option when booking. If you misreport weight or choose the wrong option, you risk delays or cancellations without a refund. It’s not meant to be picky, it’s how they keep the helicopter balanced and the schedule working.

Stop on Herbert Glacier, the part you’ll remember

This is the heart of the tour. You land right onto the glacier surface, then you step out for a guided walkabout. Your pilot-guide uses your time on the ice to explain landmarks and local geology.

The tour description also mentions fresh cold glacier water. Practically, what that usually means is you’ll be offered the chance to sip something cold and direct from the ice system. It’s one of those small moments that turns a big experience into a real memory.

What to expect on the walk: snow and ice under your feet, wind and cold that can feel different than downtown Juneau, and enough guiding structure that you don’t feel like you’re wandering in circles. People often talk about how smooth and controlled the whole operation feels, including the landing. That matters, because glacier walking is an activity where confidence counts.

There’s also an important operational factor. The pilot chooses landing and activity based on weather conditions. So the walk is not “rigid script at all times.” If the day is socked in, you might not get the glacier. If you do get it, your pilot will run the safest plan available that day.

Flight back over the Juneau Icefield

On the way back to the heliport, you’ll fly again, with a focus on the Juneau Icefield views. This is your bird’s-eye recap, the chance to see how what you walked on fits into the bigger system of ice and mountain terrain.

On a day when weather allows clear views, this return flight can feel like a victory lap. You’re already excited from the glacier walk, but now you get perspective. It’s also a good time to take photos when lighting changes, because conditions can brighten or soften in short windows.

Price and value: what $440 buys you in Juneau time

At $440 per person, this is not a bargain. But glacier access from a cruise port has a cost, and helicopter flying costs more than bus rides or short hikes. The value here comes from three things you can’t really substitute:

First, the helicopter landing on Herbert Glacier. You’re paying for the ability to go where cars cannot.

Second, you’re buying time. Your stop on the glacier is short compared to a full-day expedition, but from a cruise schedule perspective, it’s a smart use of limited time. You get the big moments without waiting all day.

Third, you’re paying for guide work that happens in the cockpit and on the ice. You’re not just getting a guide at the start and end. The pilot-guide is coordinating air travel, weather-based decisions, and then interpretation on the glacier itself.

If you’re trying to “do Alaska” in just a day, the cost can feel easier to justify. If you’re already spending time in places with glacier views on foot, you may not need this exact format. But if you want an icefield experience that feels rare and physical, the money tends to land better.

Weather reality: how the day can change fast

This excursion is subject to favorable weather conditions. Helicopter operations and glacier landings rely on visibility, wind, and overall flight safety. The day you go can make the difference between getting the full itinerary and switching plans.

This matters for your decision-making. If you book this as your one and only glacier plan, understand it may be canceled due to poor weather. And if you’re traveling with limited time in Juneau, you should treat this as a priority, not as an optional extra.

That said, the company’s value proposition includes getting you back to the port on time for the ship. If your ship departs before you can attend this activity, they state they will arrange transportation to the next port-of-call. If your ship is delayed and you can’t attend, you’ll receive a refund as described in their terms.

One more real-world hint: some people have been frustrated by last-minute cancellations or by how fast conditions can change. Your best protection is planning a flexible mindset and bringing something else you can enjoy if the flight doesn’t happen.

Timing, duration, and staying on schedule with your ship

Your total time is approx 2 hours 30 minutes. The times shown for flight segments and stops are short, so you should plan to be ready early.

Pickup is designed around cruise arrival and ship departure windows. The tour requires a buffer between when your ship arrives and when pickup begins, and another buffer between when drop-off occurs and the ship’s all-aboard time. The goal is simple: you should not be sprinting through the terminal at the last second.

You’ll also want to know where to meet. If you’re staying downtown, you meet outside under the Goldbelt Mt. Roberts Tram at 490 S Franklin St. If you’re near the airport, you meet outside the main doors of the lobby. At the heliport, your check-in is tied to time and weight.

A practical takeaway: don’t be casual about the check-in time. Short tours do not forgive late arrivals well, especially when helicopters and weather windows are involved.

What to wear for a glacier walk (and yes, layers matter)

The tour gives you overshoes, and raincoats can be supplied as needed. Still, you should dress for cold and for getting outside quickly.

Your best strategy is layers. Juneau can feel mild when the cruise is in port, but the glacier can be colder and windier. Some people mention it was surprisingly mild on the glacier top in their season, but you should still assume it will feel colder once you’re on the ice.

Also wear rubber-soled shoes like light hiking boots or athletic shoes. You want grip. You’re walking on snow and ice, not polished sidewalks.

Bring your camera and binoculars. People love photographing from the air, then switching to close-up shots on the glacier surface. If you use binoculars, you’ll have a chance to scan ridgelines and distant features during the flight.

Finally, there’s a no-bag policy. If you need to carry medical items, you should note that at booking. Everything brought to base is stored in the tour office until you return.

Who this tour is best for, and who should consider alternatives

This tour fits best if you want action plus interpretation, and you like the idea of doing something you can’t replicate on a normal hike.

It can be a great fit for:

• Families with older kids who can handle cold and short walking on uneven surfaces
• Couples doing a once-per-trip highlight and willing to pay for helicopter access
• Solo travelers who like a structured plan with lots of photo angles

What to consider before booking:

• If your biggest goal is a long walk or lots of time on ice, this isn’t that kind of tour. It’s short and focused.
• If you dislike weather-dependent plans, you should consider a backup activity on your port day.

Accessibility note. There is an ADA lift for getting in and out of the helicopter. But if you use the ADA lift, you must stay inside the helicopter on the glacier. The pilot-guide can still open doors so you can take in sights, sounds, and smells. The ADA lift has a weight restriction of no more than 250 lbs, and ADA transportation to and from the facilities is provided. If this is relevant to you, it’s smart to contact them so they can plan the right setup.

Weight and aircraft fit also matters. Each passenger is weighed, and seating is based on helicopter weight and balance. Group seating together is attempted, but not guaranteed because of the weight and balance rules and the other parties on the flight.

Tips that help you get more out of the day

These are small moves that make your time smoother.

• Take your camera ready before you land. When the helicopter touches down, you want to be focused, not fumbling.
• Expect quick decisions on the ice. Your pilot-guide is managing safety and pacing, so follow instructions even if it feels different from a normal walk.
• Ask questions during the flight. If you have a kid asking about goats, ice, or mountain rock, this is when it works best.
• Don’t underdress just because downtown feels warm. Use layers, and treat overshoes and rain gear as part of a system, not a last-minute fix.
• Double-check the passenger option and weight at checkout. It protects your seat and keeps the flight schedule moving.

Should you book this Herbert Glacier helicopter and walk tour?

I’d book it if you want a true Juneau glacier highlight that mixes the big view with real ice access. The combination of helicopter time and a guided Herbert Glacier walk is the reason this tour gets strong marks, and it’s also the reason it costs more than a standard shore outing.

Skip it or rethink if:

• You can’t handle the possibility of weather cancellations or last-minute changes
• You’re looking for an all-day glacier immersion rather than a short, intense experience
• You’re worried about cold conditions or short walking time

If you’re in the sweet spot, though, this is a high-impact way to use your port day. When it goes right, it’s one of those rare Alaska moments that feels physical, not just scenic.