Le Conte Bay and Glacier

The face of the Le Conte Glacier, one of only a few tidewater glaciers.

A short, though careful trip from Petersburg is beautiful Le Conte Bay with its tidewater glacier at the head of the bay. Glaciers that flow all the way to the water have tall, active faces hundreds of feet high. Large chunks of blue ice thousands of years old break off causing hazardous conditions close up and navigation challenges.

Large chunks of blue ice thousands of years old break off causing navigation challenges.

We were all invited aboard Bonito for this excursion into the ice-strewn bay.

The floating ice is an important ecosystem. Harbor seals come here to have their pups, safe from predators like Orca Whales.

The ice in glaciers turn blue after thousands of years of compression. When it reaches the water and calves, it can give us beautiful shapes to look at.

Herring gulls hitching a ride.

Clear glacier ice is perfect for your cocktail at the end of the day.