Juneau Helicopter & Glacier Walk: Private Icefield Tour

Helicopter flight, glacier landing, pilot-guided walk among the ice

A private helicopter tour from Juneau combines 25 to 30 minutes of flightseeing over the Juneau Icefield with a 20 to 25 minute guided walk on Herbert Glacier, where you drink fresh glacier water and explore the ice landscape with your pilot as guide. The tour runs roughly two and a half hours total, includes round-trip private helicopter transport and ground transportation to and from the airport or hotel, and provides boots and raincoats if needed. Weather can cancel the flight, in which case you get an alternative time or full refund.

Step-by-step itinerary

Helicopter tour and glacier walk

• Depart from airport by helicopter
• Land on Herbert Glacier
• Explore glacier and drink fresh water
• Helicopter tour back to heliport

The Experience

The day starts with private ground transport to the heliport, then you board a helicopter for the flight to Herbert Glacier. The route takes you over the Juneau Icefield itself—25 to 30 minutes of viewing the ice field from above before landing on the glacier. Your pilot stays with you throughout and serves as your guide on the ground.

Once on Herbert Glacier, you have 20 to 25 minutes to walk the ice, drink fresh cold glacier water straight from the source, and take in the surrounding glacial landscape. The pilot opens the helicopter doors so you can photograph and absorb the sights and sounds of the ice. Boots and raincoats are provided if you need them, and you'll want to wear layers and rubber-soled hiking shoes or athletic shoes. On the return flight, you'll see the Herbert Glacier and icefield again from the air before landing back at the coastal heliport.

The entire experience runs about two and a half hours, including the ground transportation to and from your hotel or the airport area. Each guest receives a complimentary Nalgene water bottle to take home. The tour operates with a live English-speaking pilot-guide, and parties are seated together when weight and balance allow—though large groups may split across multiple helicopters for the flight, the landing happens as one group. The tour is subject to weather; if conditions don't permit, you'll be offered an alternative departure time or a full refund.

What’s included

• Private round-trip helicopter flight with 25 to 30 minutes of flightseeing over the Juneau Icefield.
• 20 to 25 minutes on Herbert Glacier with a pilot-guide.
• private ground transportation to and from your hotel or airport area.
• boots and raincoats provided as needed.
• complimentary Nalgene water bottle for each guest.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Coastal Helicopters

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to see the Juneau Icefield from the air and walk on actual glacier ice in a single outing—the helicopter gets you there and back within a port day, and the pilot's knowledge of the ice landscape makes the walk more than just wandering. If your group is large or you have mobility concerns, confirm seating and accessibility details at booking, since helicopter weight limits and the ADA lift's restrictions shape how the day unfolds.

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Top questions

How long will I actually spend on the helicopter and on the glacier?

The helicopter flight runs 25 to 30 minutes, and your time walking on Herbert Glacier is 20 to 25 minutes. The full tour, including ground transportation, takes roughly two and a half hours.

What should I wear and bring for a glacier walk in Juneau?

Dress in warm layers and wear rubber-soled shoes such as a light hiking boot or athletic shoes. The tour provides overshoes and raincoats if you need them, so bring a camera and binoculars but leave bags behind—they'll be stored at the office while you fly.

Will my family be seated together on the helicopter?

The tour company tries to keep families and parties in the same helicopter, but seating is based on weight and balance calculations determined at check-in. If your group splits across multiple helicopters, you'll land on the glacier together.

What happens if the weather is bad on the day of my tour?

The tour is subject to favorable weather conditions. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you'll be offered an alternative departure time or a full refund.

Is this tour accessible for guests with limited mobility?

The tour is wheelchair accessible, and an ADA lift assists guests in and out of the helicopter. Guests using the ADA lift must remain inside the helicopter on the glacier, though the pilot will open the doors so you can see, hear and smell the glacier. The lift has a weight limit of 250 pounds, and you must notify Coastal Helicopters at booking if you'll need it.

What's included in the tour price?

The tour includes the private round-trip helicopter flight, private ground transportation to and from your hotel or airport area, a guided glacier walk with your pilot, boots and raincoats if needed, and a complimentary Nalgene water bottle per guest.