Endicott Arm Interests by Visitor Type

• Historian: Endicott Arm is part of the Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness designated in 1980. The area has historical significance in the context of Southeast Alaska’s wilderness preservation and indigenous cultures of the Tlingit people in southeast Alaska. Nearby cultural centers in Juneau and Ketchikan exhibit Tlingit totem art and clan houses, connecting to the indigenous heritage of the region.

• Architect: The natural fjord architecture of Endicott Arm features sheer-walled fjords over 30 miles long with tidewater glaciers calving into the sea. The area’s pristine wilderness and native clan house replicas nearby exhibit historical and indigenous architectural styles.

• Photographer: Endicott Arm offers stunning fjord landscapes, glacier calving scenes, floating icebergs, and rich coastal wildlife that provide excellent photo opportunities. The dramatic natural settings are enhanced by the presence of wildlife such as humpback whales and seabirds.

• Sailor: Navigating Endicott Arm can be thrilling but challenging due to floating icebergs and glacier calving at the fjord heads. Local kayak routes and access points like Harbor Island in nearby Holkham Bay are popular for exploring. Boaters can arrange day trips from Juneau and Ketchikan but detailed charts and weather info are essential due to changing ice and conditions.

• Hiker: Primitive campsites exist for hikers and kayakers, and the U.S. Forest Service Juneau Ranger District provides maps and information for hiking and kayaking access in the wilderness area.

Wildlife Enthusiast: The area is rich in marine and birdlife. Whales, including humpbacks, are commonly seen. Bird species in the area include Bald Eagles, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Marbled Murrelet, Kittlitz’s Murrelet, Tufted Puffin, Pigeon Guillemot, Arctic Tern, Pelagic Cormorant, Mew, Glaucous-winged, and Herring Gulls, Black Oystercatchers nesting on rocky islets, and more. Early September is also the time when raptor migration (Sharp-shinned hawks, Merlins, Golden Eagles) and gull migration occur.

Indigenous Artifacts and Souvenirs

• Indigenous artifacts associated with the region include ceremonial masks, totemic art, clan house replicas, and other Tlingit cultural items. These are prominently exhibited at urban cultural centers in Juneau (Sealaska Heritage Center) and Ketchikan, home to Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian heritage.

• Souvenirs typically available for purchase include traditional Tlingit handicrafts such as carved totem miniatures, masks, jewelry (often using local materials like silver and gold), woven blankets, and other native artwork reproductions crafted by local indigenous artists.

Fords Terror

Fords Terror is a narrow, steep-walled fjord located in Southeast Alaska, approximately 60 miles southeast of Juneau. It’s an 8-mile-long fjord that branches off from Endicott Arm within the larger Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness.coastview+2

The fjord gets its dramatic name from a harrowing incident in 1889. H.L. Ford, a Master-at-Arms in the U.S. Navy and member of a surveying party aboard the USS Carlile P. Patterson, was serving as coxswain of a small Herreshoff steam launch. While exploring and charting the area, Ford entered the narrow fjord entrance during what he thought was slack tide.riveted-blog+1

However, the tide began to change, creating violent tidal rapids and a 2-3 foot waterfall at the narrow entrance. Ford became trapped inside the fjord for six terrifying hours by turbulent currents, whirlpools, and floating glacier ice that jammed the constricted throat of the entrance. Lieutenant Commander Henry B. Mansfield of the U.S. Navy named the fjord “Fords Terror” in honor of this frightening experience.cruisingseaventure+3

Fords Terror is renowned for being one of the most challenging and dangerous fjords to access in Alaska:

Tidal Rapid Entrance

• The fjord can only be entered or exited at high slack tidesailingalaska+2
• The entrance becomes a treacherous rapid with standing waves when tidal current is runningmvadventures+1
• Some kayakers and surfers actually come to surf the standing waves created by the tidal borecsmphotos.wordpress
• High water slack at Fords Terror occurs 15-60 minutes after high tide in Juneau, with timing varying dailyslowboat

Navigation Hazards

• The entrance is poorly charted and mostly unchartedriveted-blog+1
• Contains three drying shoals that are unchartedslowboat
• Minimum depth of about 24 feet at the entrance during slack tideslowboat
• Floating glacier ice often jams the narrow entrancealaska+1

Natural Beauty and Wildlife

Despite its dangerous reputation, Fords Terror is considered one of the most beautiful places on Earth:

Dramatic Scenery

• Enormous granite walls rising from water’s edge to 5,000+ feetmvadventures+1
• Described by John Muir as “a wild, unfinished Yosemite” with granite walls “surpassing in some ways those of the far-famed Yosemite Valley”alaskandreamcruises+1
• Countless waterfalls cascading from snowcapped peaksmvadventures+1
• Iridescent green water surrounded by towering cliffscruisingseaventure

Wildlife

• Black and brown bears are frequently spotted along the shorelineglacierbaytravel+2
• Mountain goats scale the rocky cliffsalaskandreamcruises
• Harbor seals and dolphins are common in the watersglacierbaytravel+1
• Bald eagles and various seabirds inhabit the areaglacierbaytravel

Part of Protected Wilderness

Fords Terror lies within the Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness, designated by Congress in 1980. This wilderness area encompasses 653,179 acres and includes two main fjords: Tracy Arm and Endicott Arm, with Fords Terror branching off from Endicott Arm.advcollective+3

The remote location offers complete solitude for the few adventurous boaters who successfully navigate its entrance, making it a bucket-list destination for experienced wilderness cruisers seeking pristine, untouched natural beauty.cruisingseaventure+1

Daily Cruise Ship Numbers and Restrictions

Endicott Arm experiences significantly fewer cruise ships than many other Alaska destinations. While precise daily averages are not publicly documented, the fjord is visited primarily by smaller expedition ships rather than large cruise liners. The area is part of the Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness, which operates under voluntary best management practices rather than formal quotas like Glacier Bay.cruisemapper+1

Wilderness Area Restrictions

The Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness (which includes Endicott Arm) has several important restrictions:commerce.alaska

• Vessels with more than 250 passengers are prohibited from entering Fords Terror
• No formal daily limits exist, but operators follow voluntary best management practices
• Drone use is prohibited except for one annual exception per operator after July 31st
• Noise restrictions require operators to minimize impacts and preserve wilderness quiet

Cruise Lines That Regularly Visit

Several major cruise lines include Endicott Arm in their Alaska itineraries:

• Princess Cruises (including Ruby Princess)princess+1 Carnival Corporation Brand
• Celebrity Cruisescelebritycruises+1
• Royal Caribbeanalaskatravel+1
• Holland America Linehollandamerica+2 Carnival Corporation Brand
• Norwegian Cruise Linereddit
• National Geographic Expeditions/Lindbladexpeditions+1youtube

Zodiac Operations and Ice Collection

National Geographic Expeditions is NOT the only operator offering zodiac excursions to glaciers. Multiple cruise lines offer zodiac or small boat excursions in Endicott Arm. However, regarding collecting glacier ice for cocktails:princess+2

• National Geographic Expeditions includes unlimited complimentary alcoholic beverages onboardexpeditions
• Their zodiacs do operate close to glaciers and ice flowsyoutubeexpeditions
• No specific policy was found confirming ice collection for cocktails, though this appears to be an expedition cruise practice
• Other operators like Princess and Celebrity offer catamaran excursions that get closer to Dawes Glacierhollandamerica+1

Ruby Princess Rotation and Viewing Time

Cruise ships including Ruby Princess rotate to provide viewing opportunities for all passengers. Based on passenger reports:

• Ships rotate 180 degrees or perform multiple turns so both port and starboard sides get glacier viewsreddit+1youtube
• The rotation typically takes 30-60 minutes total, with approximately 30 minutes per sidereddit
• Ruby Princess “rotated several times so everyone could get a great view regardless of their location on the ship.
• This same practice appears to apply at Dawes Glacier in Endicott Arm

Noise and Loudspeaker Restrictions

There are specific restrictions on loudspeakers and noise near glaciers:commerce.alaska

Wilderness Best Management Practices require:

• Limited outside announcements to preserve wilderness values
• No announcements before 8:00 AM whenever possible
• 5-minute maximum duration for interpretive announcements
• Lower volume on outside decks to minimum required levels
• Specific designated areas for announcements to minimize impact on other users
• No whistles, horns, or noisemaking devices except for safety/emergency purposes

Wildlife Protection Measures:

• Operators must avoid loud noises near seals and other wildlifecommerce.alaska
• PA system use on outer decks should be avoided near seals
• Wake and noise minimization is required when near wildlife

Glacier Bay Comparison:

Research shows that cruise ships are audible for 40-74 minutes each time they enter/exit Glacier Bay, and vessel noise significantly impacts the underwater acoustic environment. Similar considerations likely apply to Endicott Arm operations.nps

The restrictions reflect a balance between providing educational opportunities for passengers while preserving the wilderness character and protecting wildlife in this pristine Alaska fjord system.

Summary

Endicott Arm caters richly to multiple interests with its combination of dramatic natural fjords, glacier scenery, abundant wildlife, and proximity to indigenous cultural heritage sites. September offers excellent birdwatching, including raptor and gull migrations. Visitors can explore the wilderness by boat or kayak while historians and architects can appreciate the natural and cultural significance of the area. Indigenous cultural centers nearby provide access to authentic artifacts and traditional souvenirs.

This information draws from wildlife calendars, travel guides focused on Southeast Alaska’s fjords and indigenous culture, and birding checklists for Tracy and Endicott Arms.adfg.alaska+2