Girdwood Glacier Blue Kayak Tour: Is It Worth It? [Review]

So, you are looking for a bit of an Alaskan adventure? The Girdwood Glacier Blue Kayak Grandview Tour definitely seems like it’s an experience that a person should add to their list. After going on this kayak trip not too long ago, I am eager to share some thoughts and helpful advice. Let’s explore the chilly waters and majestic glaciers of Girdwood to figure out if this adventure fits what you have in mind!

What is the Grandview Tour Really Like?

The Grandview Tour isn’t just any kayaking trip; that’s very apparent when people talk about it. Instead, the company offers, really, a chance to see some of Alaska’s most beautiful scenery. It combines paddling next to glaciers, with looks at wildlife, and a great feeling of getting into nature. What can a person expect on this trip, though? It turns out that it’s rather amazing, for one thing.

As you start off, they’ll meet you at the tour headquarters near Girdwood. Very soon after you show up, the guides give a briefing. After the guide briefs you, that is when you will learn what safety guidelines you will need to follow and basic kayaking moves. This part’s very helpful, mostly for first-timers but it should be something that everyone takes notes on, honestly. They take the tour people to the Spencer Whistle Stop area next, so that’s rather something to see! From here, they have a short train ride with nice mountain and forest views.

The guides help people get situated in their kayaks once at Spencer Lake, it looks like. Mostly they pair you with another person because it tends to be tandem kayaks, too. Then, here is when the real paddling kicks off. Keep in mind that Spencer Glacier’s front can be seen right as you begin. Paddling nearer the glacier, people often see icebergs. So it’s not rare to get a close view, that is the main benefit! Also, be ready for possible wildlife spots, too. This might include birds and sometimes even seals that seem very inquisitive. Basically, a person would get great photo chances.

There’s a short break sometime in the middle of the tour for, you know, snacks and taking pictures, that does seem pretty beneficial. So, participants stretch, eat, and then they all go out to learn a lot more about the surrounding glacial setting from what they hear. When that break wraps up, then folks kayak back. Now, paddling back usually gives people new viewpoints plus other spots they might have missed going out. A train whisks people back to the base as soon as the kayaking part ends; people normally talk about what they saw on the journey.

The Highs and Lows: What Stood Out

Alright, like all travel adventures, the Grandview Tour has times where it shines and some things that travelers might want to keep in mind, in a way. After wrapping things up, a bunch of aspects seemed especially cool and, well, others gave a person things that folks needed to keep under consideration, basically.

Astonishing Scenery: Seeing Spencer Glacier so closely appears wonderful! Almost every person seems greatly moved by the enormous, icy formation along with reflections off Spencer Lake’s glacial waters, it does leave most breathless.
Skilled Guides: People almost always agree that the guides know quite a bit and sound super friendly! They always seem ready with info regarding the glacier surroundings, as well as any wildlife spots to point out. Then, they do a good job to assure everyone feels secure.
Ease of Access: The train that takes people to the kayak launch feels unique. However, its advantage really lies in how much hassle this eliminates regarding normal transportation; then, people rave about how convenient that is.
Wildlife Opportunities: So keep those camera lenses set because a person can possibly see wildlife like seals and arctic terns or even eagles. So it gives folks great chances to photograph some beautiful, local creatures, right?
Physical Exertion: Just keep in mind that kayaking for, give or take, around three hours wants a certain amount of fitness. It might be tough to take pleasure in all scenery for people who don’t do that kind of activity that regularly.
Unpredictable Weather: Alaskan weather could change on folks quickly; in the case of Glacier Grandview, which seems like the conditions might switch. Be sure that your gear anticipates different possibilities.

Who Would Enjoy This Tour?

Not every tour suits every traveler and I am aware of this. So it can be said, though, that Alaska’s Glacier Blue Kayak Grandview trip matches several types of people, surprisingly enough.

Folks who like seeing animals and taking wildlife pictures: Should you enjoy birdwatching and always carry camera equipment set up to photograph Alaskan wildlife such as bald eagles or even seals. You might be captivated by any creatures sighted while taking part in Grandview.
Outdoor Fans up for Soft-to-Modest Difficulties: Any healthy individuals seeking to kayak some during explorations will probably find enough challenges and satisfaction through it! Be prepared regarding exertion stages to not expect crazy challenges physically speaking unless something unexpected crops upward!
Nature Lovers Wanting Gorgeous Sights: People valuing natural scenery who find glacial environments and untouched vistas charming can see their dreams satisfied out in that kayak among towering views up north which seems great.
Vacationers searching Convenient Options: Anybody favoring convenience in their excursion arrangements and desiring a tension relieving outing should enjoy this organized travel package providing gear transport to distant sites plus comprehensive training!

So in case someone doesn’t match any profiles like ones I mentioned there is that option for opting out I guess, that’s only sensible really. Folks finding difficult fitness issues or wanting adventures beyond wildlife might want adventures besides glacial kayaking!

Maximizing Your Experience: Tips and Tricks

Planning correctly helps folks fully savor all bits throughout. Following some effective ideas assures great tours without hiccups ruining moments, that way everyone will get great experience all through it!

Wear layered pieces: Bring things one may shed depending temperature changes such thermal base garments, fleece, with waterproof coverings, you can’t say it enough! Remember though synthetic dries fastest unlike bulky soaked natural fibers!
Put protective equipment from sunlight into practice: Pack sunglasses using UV protections, hats and sunblock which shields from reflections appearing around glassy ice spots on sunny occasions particularly. I found it helps.
Get appropriate waterproof camera stuff prepared beforehand: Place gadgets which contain sensitive lens equipment throughout kayaks utilizing watertight shielding. This keeps memories intact against splashing incidents because no regrets should arise from drops which spoil experiences if protection precautions don’t kick right in quickly right
Pay Attention Closely To Leaders Briefings/Guidance: Guide professionals distribute insights improving wildlife opportunities besides ensuring safeness standards followed always during paddling excursions together whenever you will share space together! These guidelines improve joy since dangers stay minimized with guidelines from your guide that know all surroundings while providing care around unknown situations or unexpected accidents to minimize likelihood injury strikes anyone engaged closely during outdoor engagements of activities involving boats on frosty lakes such kayaking under huge glaziers overhead!.
Snacks or refreshments supply keeps morale buoyant despite lengthy workout stretches out there kayaking around frosty expanses underneath spectacular landscapes. Pack bars or edibles that pack quickly energize whenever needed throughout journey which could go prolonged before proper break point shows itself right near turnaround points mid afternoon when sunlight shifts causing chills requiring inner warmths replenished every couple to stay engaged despite conditions beyond hands that can be controlled beyond dressing.
Remember that attitude becomes everything with memories captured since things come spontaneously so maintain openness when animals or icecaps unfold unexpectedly so cherish scenes surrounding wherever trips extend across terrains underneath massive overhead icy wonders up alongside.

Is It Worth The Money?

Evaluating value revolves comparing expenditures along merits deriving according wants tastes while prioritizing expectations too! Girdwood Glacial Blue offers unique combos, actually balancing visual wonder opportunity for engaging activities together within protected learning settings as some travelers may find rewarding investment while many others evaluate regarding personal spending habits/travel standards though always worth taking to get those glacial shots.

The Grand View Advantageous includes train trips and pro instruction beside gear that otherwise might boost single budgets significantly since most costs included already into bundle choices. You might be thinking!
If sight view/iceberg expeditions are paramount amongst nature centric itinerary requirements, then this will pay its expense considering you might see more via sea level than standing shores somewhere without direct boat advantages. Well in my opinion
When factoring memorable occasions along remarkable picturesque background pictures then you can rationalize by understanding price factors alongside long last impacts that influence personal memory creation in retrospect years later onwards throughout reflection! This tour stands above other generic touristic experiences and it can really impact perspectives beyond temporary views for snapshots. Basically its a memory that impacts!

So if viewing huge floating ice shapes, seeing wild seals or swimming eagles are top-level priority checklist then I say that money can potentially find great usefulness by taking a trip that leaves huge personal footprint. Nevertheless anyone working by stiff finance could feel strained if extra expenditures create much problems throughout bigger voyage agendas overall though choices must still suit own monetary levels set from starting stage while deciding priorities set toward each traveling aspect across travel blueprints for holiday get away!

Overall Blue Kayak has solid reputation when balancing safety with exciting sightseeing alongside helpful teachers with included gear inside an inviting organized adventure from start through to finishes! The company works in getting individuals across many types in closeness facing gorgeous terrain scenes across Spencer water fronts below glacial heavens high up which all builds within good-standing reason justifying expenditures against long remaining experience obtained at last!. I was not disappointed overall.

So, hopefully you learned enough about it to get your questions asked, well, answered. Have a good vacation!

#Alaska #Girdwood #GlacierKayaking #AdventureTravel #TravelReview