Alaska Fjords: 5 Majestic Fjords to See on an Alaska Cruise

Glaciers are a common sight for any traveler on our Alaska cruises. They are hard to miss and a spectacle unto themselves. However, just as impressive are the state’s scenic fjords. If you’re wondering what they are or even how to say “fjords,” don’t worry—you’re not alone!

A fjord—say it like “fyord”—is a narrow strip of the sea surrounded by high cliffs formed over centuries by the movement of glaciers. The word itself comes from the ancient Norse language and evokes thoughts of Norway’s famous fjords. But you can also find fjords in Chile, Greenland and yes, Alaska.

Most of Alaska’s fjords aren’t accessible by road, which means a cruise is the best way to appreciate these awe-inspiring valleys carved by glaciers and surrounded by towering cliffs.

Cruising through Alaska’s fjords often becomes one of the most unforgettable moments of the journey—where waterfalls tumble from cliffs, glaciers glow blue in the distance and wildlife appears along the shoreline. Here are five of our favorites that every traveler should make a point to see on a Christian cruise to Alaska:

Misty Fjords

Misty Fjords is known for sea cliffs that rise to 3,000 feet out of the ocean. Christian travelers often witness waterfalls cascading over sheer rock faces.

Part of the Inside Passage—a common route for our Alaska cruises—the Misty Fjords National Monument is east of Ketchikan and part of the Tongass National Forest. Tongass is the largest temperate rainforest in the world and teeming with wildlife. Watch for brown and black bears, moose, wolves and wolverines!

Sailing through this mist-covered wilderness gives travelers a front-row seat to one of Alaska’s most dramatic landscapes—and a powerful reminder of the scale and beauty of God’s creation.

Tracy Arm Fjord

Tracy Arm Fjord features prodigious granite walls, powerful waterfalls, towering glaciers and mountains that highlight the beauty of God’s craftsmanship.

As cruise ships navigate this narrow fjord, the scenery grows more dramatic with every mile: towering cliffs, floating icebergs and waterfalls pouring down from thousands of feet above. This fjord is also home to active marine life and floating icebergs.

But it isn’t until travelers reach the end of this narrow fjord that they get to witness the best it has to offer: Sawyer Glaciers. Every couple of hours, travelers lucky enough to visit watch in awe as the glaciers “calve.” Chunks of ice break off the iceberg and crash into the icy waters below.

In some places, the sheer rock walls of this inlet climb nearly a mile above the water.

Travelers enjoy the sight of icebergs, harbor seals and breathtaking mountain views along their journey. During your cruise up Tracy Arm, take a glance at the sky—chances are you’ll see plenty of seaplanes taking in the view above you.

Lynn Canal

Unless you’re a deep-sea diver or have access to a submarine, you will probably never see the most impressive part of this 60-mile-long fjord: its 2,000-foot descent to the bottom. This makes it the deepest fjord in North America and one of the deepest and longest on the planet.

Most of us will have to keep our viewing above water, but rest assured, there is no shortage of marine life to be seen. Orcas, salmon and porpoises are found here year-round. There are also several scenic lighthouses along the way, including the historic, octagonal-shaped Eldred Rock Lighthouse!

Because it connects the towns of Skagway and Haines to Juneau and the rest of the Inside Passage, Lynn Canal is a major shipping and cruise route. This fjord once ferried thousands of prospectors to the Klondike goldfields during the late 19th-century gold rush.

Today, cruise travelers glide through the same dramatic waterway—surrounded by towering mountains and rugged wilderness—while enjoying one of the most scenic stretches of the Inside Passage. You may not leave with gold, but you will leave with memories of the natural beauty of this waterway.

Endicott Arm

While its sibling to the north (Tracy Arm) is better known, Endicott Arm Fjord offers just as much beauty. A wonderland in its own right, this fjord is filled with granite cliffs, verdant valleys and gushing waterfalls that will leave you in awe.

Endicott Arm stretches southeast out of Stephens Passage. It’s located at the southern edge of a wilderness area called Fords Terror—a reference to a naval crewman who got trapped there during a rare tidal surge in the 1800s.

Just like Tracy Arm, Endicott Arm comes to an abrupt end—or beginning, more accurately—at an ethereal, blue tidewater glacier called Dawes Glacier. This 600-foot-tall, mile-wide glacier is known for being extremely active, regularly calving icebergs into the water.

Watching massive chunks of ice break away from Dawes Glacier and crash into the fjord is one of those unforgettable Alaska moments travelers talk about long after their cruise ends.

If you need some perspective on just how big the glacier is, the smaller icebergs that it creates can be as large as a three-story house!

Kenai Fjords

The jagged wilderness of Kenai Fjords is the ultimate example of how good things come to those who wait. This fjord is one of Alaska’s best natural attractions and was carved into existence by nothing more than icefields, the passage of time and God’s creative prowess. It is part of the glorious Kenai Fjords National Park, the fifth-most-visited national park in Alaska.

While wildlife sightings are common across most of Alaska’s fjords, travelers are really in for a treat when cruising here. Pods of orcas and breaching humpback whales are common sights, as are sea otters and harbor seals. From the water, passengers can often see mountain goats climbing the rugged cliffs surrounding the fjord!

For many visitors, Kenai Fjords becomes the highlight of their Alaska experience—a place where wildlife, glaciers and towering mountains come together in one breathtaking landscape.

As you prepare for your cruise or dream about Alaska, which of these fjords are you most excited to visit?