← All Spectacles
Water & Ice · United States

Hubbard Glacier

North America's largest tidewater glacier advances and calves thunderously into Alaskan waters — a raw, blue-white spectacle of ice in motion.

When
May — Sep, peak Jun — Aug
Best viewing
Visitors approach by boat to witness dramatic ice calving from a towering glacier face; expect cold temperatures, distant viewpoints, and the constant possibility of a spectacular collapse.
Category
Water & Ice
Status
In season

About this spectacle

Hubbard Glacier is North America's largest tidewater glacier, a massive river of ice that calves thunderously into Disenchantment Bay and Yakutat Bay in Alaska. Visitors typically approach by cruise ship or small expedition vessel, watching as towering walls of blue-white ice crack and collapse into the water with cannon-like booms. The glacier's face stretches roughly two miles wide, and the surrounding peaks and icebergs create a landscape of staggering scale. Chunks of ice, glowing turquoise in the shallows, drift past the bow while bald eagles circle overhead. The air smells of cold saltwater and carries a chill even in summer. This is one of the few advancing glaciers in Alaska, meaning the spectacle of calving and surging ice remains dynamic year after year, making each visit feel genuinely unpredictable and alive.

When to go

May — Sep, peak Jun — Aug

Getting there

Nearest airport: YAK. Nearest city: Yakutat.

Booking options

Goyova doesn't process bookings directly. When you tap "Plan this trip" in the app, you'll see options from our partner providers — accommodation, tours, transport — with affiliate links where applicable. See our affiliate disclosure for details.

For Your Phone

Download Goyova.

Available on Android now. iPhone coming soon — we're in App Store review.

Get it on Google Play Coming soon App Store