Juneau changes fast from ship dock to glacier air.

This shore excursion gives you two big hits: a narrated helicopter flight over the Juneau Icefield, then a real Herbert Glacier walk with your pilot guiding from the ground. I also like that the team plans for timing and helps you get back to the ship on schedule, which matters in a port where delays feel personal. The main drawback is simple: if weather doesn’t cooperate, you may be looking at a different flight plan, or a cancellation.

You’re not just riding around for photos. You’ll touch down, step onto the ice, and get practical talk about what you’re seeing—plus plenty of time to take pictures and even drink fresh cold glacier water. Pilots like Keith, Cameron, Max, Cody, and Markus have been praised for smooth flying and for answering questions in a way kids and adults both enjoy. Still, the short glacier time means you should bring the camera you actually want to use, not the one you hope will work later.

Key highlights I’d plan around

• A rare Herbert Glacier landing instead of only viewing from above
• Narration from the pilot during the flight and on the glacier walk
• Time on ice with boots/overshoes provided when needed
• Glacier water stop that feels both odd and amazing
• Small group size (up to 12) helps you actually hear the guide
• Strict timing to protect your ship connection

Entering a helicopter workflow in Juneau, step by step

This tour starts with the thing you’ll thank yourself for later: a pickup setup built for cruise schedules. If you’re downtown, you meet outside under the cables of the Goldbelt Mt. Roberts Tram at 490 S Franklin St. You’ll look for a Coastal Helicopters representative in bright orange holding a yellow sign that says Coastal Helicopters.

If you’re staying near the airport, the meet point is simply outside the main doors of your hotel lobby. And if you dock at AJ dock, you can call to request pickup at your dock, scheduled automatically for the first tour after a ship arrives.

Once you’re in the van, you’ll get en route commentary before the helicopter part starts. Then it’s safety briefing time, and you’ll go through the no-bag setup: there’s a strict no-bag policy, and any bags you bring to base get stored until you return.

A practical note: this tour runs on a close chain of timing, and that’s the point. The listed times are pickup and drop-off times, so you should plan to be ready early in your pick window.

Inside the helicopter ride: what the flight is really for

The helicopter segment is short, but it’s designed to give you two critical perspectives: views you can’t get by boat or road, and a flight path the pilot can adjust to weather and visibility.

You’ll depart from Coastal Helicopters at the heliport area, and the flight portion is built around going to the glacier site first. The plan is roughly:

• about 15 minutes on the outbound flight toward Herbert Glacier
• then you return in a later flight segment for another 15 minutes of aerial views on the way back

This is also where narration matters. You’re not just staring down at ice and hoping it looks like something you saw in a brochure. The pilot-guide provides explanations about Alaskan natural history and meteorology, the stuff that makes weather in this region feel less random.

Even better, you’re not stuck passive. The pilot is actively handling the experience—positioning for views, managing landing conditions, and answering questions when it’s safe to do so. Several passengers specifically praised pilots (including Cody and Markus) for smooth, controlled flying and for staying interactive.

Herbert Glacier walk: the part you’ll remember on the flight home

The big reason people book this is the landing at Herbert Glacier—not just flying over it. When you touch down, you leave the helicopter and do the rare thing: explore on foot where you’d normally only see ice from a distance.

The glacier stop is about 22 minutes, and that time has a few goals:

• take in wide views from the ice surface
• hear and see where the pilot-guide wants you to look
• do short exploring around what’s safe and accessible
• drink cold glacier water from the stream, if conditions allow
• grab photos before the helicopter calls you back

The walk is guided, and the pilot-guide points out notable landmarks and explains local geology. So you’re not just walking around in silence and hoping your boots are doing okay. You’re getting the story behind the ice: how the terrain formed, what you’re looking at, and why it changes.

One thing to keep in mind is pace. On ice, everyone moves carefully and the guide has to keep you within safe areas. That short window is part of the design, so you should come ready to focus on what’s in front of you, not how long you wish it lasted.

Flying the Juneau Icefield: aerial views with real context

The return portion includes another chance to see the Juneau Icefield, which is where this excursion earns its name. You’ll get a bird’s-eye look on the way back to the Coastal heliport.

In plain terms, this is the visual glue between the dock world and the glacier world. Herbert Glacier is a specific landing and walking experience, but the Juneau Icefield is the broader system you’re seeing from above—icefalls, rock formations, and weather patterns that look different from 1,000 feet than they do from a cruise deck.

The time is short at about 15 minutes, so treat it like the reward segment: ask questions, point at what you want identified, and shoot a few steady photos instead of trying to do everything at once.

If you’re the type who likes to understand what you’re photographing, this is a good moment to ask. Many passengers call out how pilots explain what you’re looking at, and names like Keith and Cameron have shown up in praise for that clear, practical style.

Timing in real life: why the tour feels fast (and why that’s normal)

This is listed at about 2 hours 30 minutes total, but the actual helicopter flight is only minutes at a time. The rest is van time, check-in, and briefing, plus the glacier walking window.

Here’s the real-world effect: you don’t linger. You get a tight sequence designed around:

• weather and visibility
• safe landing conditions
• cruise ship all-aboard times
• the need to keep things predictable with a small group

Coastal Helicopters specifically notes that you’ll need a 45-minute buffer between ship arrival and pickup, and another 45-minute buffer between drop-off and ship departure. That buffer is why the experience typically runs like clockwork even when things feel rushed.

If your goal is a relaxed pace with long stops, this one may feel intense. If your goal is a high-impact Alaska moment you can fit into a port day, it’s built for exactly that.

Price and value at $440: what you’re paying for

At $440 per person, this is not a casual add-on. The value comes from three things you can’t easily replicate on your own:

1) helicopter access to Herbert Glacier for a guided walk

2) transportation included to and from the facilities

3) the pilot-guide doing the narration and safety work in the air and on ice

If you were trying to DIY it, you’d still be stuck with the hardest part: getting a safe and authorized landing on a glacier in Juneau’s conditions. That’s the whole game here. You’re paying for access, not just entertainment.

Also, the operation is structured like a high-precision activity. People praise the staff for being organized and professional, and that matters when you’re dealing with weather, weight limits, and timing. A smoother check-in and a calm safety flow can make the difference between a scary first helicopter ride and a fun one.

Yes, you’re paying a premium. But you’re also buying something people call a highlight of their whole Alaska trip because it combines aerial views with walking on glacier ice, which is a rare combo for a cruise stop.

What to wear and pack so the ice walk doesn’t feel miserable

This tour is weather-dependent, and the gear plan is simple. You’ll be advised to dress warmly in layers. Wear rubber-soled shoes like light hiking boots or athletic shoes.

The company provides overshoes, and raincoats may be supplied if needed. You should also bring what helps you actually enjoy the scenery:

• camera
• binoculars (if you use them)

Because there’s a no-bag policy, pack smart for what you’ll have with you at base. If you have medical needs requiring a carry on, you’ll want to flag that during booking so it can be handled properly.

One more practical detail: total weight limits matter here. You’ll be weighed at the facilities, and the helicopter seating depends on weight and balance. If you report incorrectly or choose the wrong passenger type, it can cause delays or cancellation without refund. That’s not just bureaucracy—it’s safety math.

Group size and comfort: small team, tight weight math

The group size is capped at 12 travelers, which helps in two ways: it’s easier for the pilot-guide to manage the glacier walk, and you’re less likely to feel lost in a giant crowd.

Helicopter seating is also tied to weight and balance. Coastal Helicopters tries to keep families together in the same aircraft, but they can’t guarantee it. If you end up split into multiple helicopters, landings happen together.

Also, lap children are not allowed. Each passenger must purchase a full fare ticket.

If mobility is an issue, the tour notes an ADA lift for getting into and out of the helicopter. If the ADA lift is used, guests must stay inside the helicopter on the glacier, but the pilot-guide can open the doors so you still get sights, sounds, and smells. There’s a weight limit of no more than 250 lbs for the ADA lift.

Should you book this Herbert Glacier helicopter walk?

Book it if:

• you want the most Alaska-feeling activity you can fit into a Juneau cruise day
• you like guided explanation, not just sightseeing
• you’re ready for cold, careful walking on ice with limited time on the ground

Skip it or think twice if:

• you hate weather-based uncertainty and don’t handle last-minute changes well
• you expect a long, slow glacier hike
• you’re uncomfortable with the idea that you may need to move quickly through check-in and briefings

This tour is expensive, but it’s priced for access. The helicopter landing at Herbert Glacier plus a guided walk in a small group is exactly the kind of once-per-trip experience Juneau is built for.

If you do book, do the boring preparation: layer up, wear grippy shoes, bring your camera, and accept that the pilot has the final say when conditions aren’t right. That trust is how you end up with the kind of smooth, memorable glacier day people rave about.

FAQ

How long is the helicopter and glacier walk shore excursion?

It’s listed at about 2 hours 30 minutes.

Is pickup offered from Juneau port?

Yes. Pickup times are based on your ship arrival with a required buffer, and you’ll also get drop-off back to the meeting point after the tour.

Where is the downtown meeting point in Juneau?

If you dock downtown, you meet outside under the cables of the Goldbelt Mt. Roberts Tram at 490 S Franklin St. Look for a Coastal Helicopters representative in bright orange holding a yellow sign that says Coastal Helicopters.

How much time do you spend on Herbert Glacier?

The Herbert Glacier stop is about 22 minutes.

What do you do on the glacier?

You take a guided walkabout on the glacier, learn about landmarks and local geology from the pilot-guide, and you may be able to drink glacier water.

What do you need to wear?

Dress warmly in layers and wear rubber-soled shoes such as light hiking boots or athletic shoes. Overshoes are provided, and raincoats can be supplied if needed.

Is this tour weather dependent?

Yes. It runs only in favorable weather conditions. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered an alternative time or a full refund.

Are bags allowed?

No bags are allowed. If you have medical needs requiring a carry on, you should note it at booking. Any permitted items stored at base are kept until you return.

What about weight limits?

Each passenger is weighed at the facilities, and reported weight affects seating due to helicopter weight and balance. If weights are misreported or incorrect passenger types are selected, it may cause delays or cancellations without refund.

Is there an ADA option for mobility needs?

There is an ADA lift to assist with getting in and out of the helicopter. If it’s used, you stay inside the helicopter on the glacier, but doors can be opened so you can still view and experience the area. The ADA lift has a weight restriction of no more than 250 lbs.