Whittier 26 Glacier Tour Cruise

Alaska Prince William Sound - 26 Glacier Tour Cruise

The 26 Glacier Cruise departs from Whittier and travels through the pristine passageways and fjords found in Alaska’s Prince William Sound. Upon leaving Whittier, the vessel heads east out Passage Canal toward Egg Rocks or Perry Island in search of migratory Steller sea lions.

From there it proceeds to the very scenic area called Esther Passage where only small ships can navigate the waterway. High mountains protect this narrow channel from rough seas and winds. Many different animals call this area home; bald eagles are commonly seen fishing in the area along with occasional black bear sightings. It is not uncommon to see orca whales, humpback whales, sea lions, harbor seals, sea otters and a variety of birds in this narrow passage.

Highlights of 26 Glacier Cruise

·         Explore over 140 miles of Prince William Sound

·         Esther Passage, College Fjord, Surprise Glacier

·         Cruise route features 26 named glaciers and many others

Esther Passage opens into College Fjord where the vessel turns north for a panoramic view of all the glaciers named after the Eastern Colleges during the Harriman Expedition. Next, cruise to Surprise Glacier and Barry Arm located in Harriman Fjord. The Captain plots a path through the ice-filled waters up to the front of the glacier so passengers can watch for massive chunks of ice calving into the sea.

On the return trip to Whittier, the vessel will stop one more time at a kittiwake bird rookery that is located just across the bay from Whittier. Over 10,000 birds inhabit these rocky cliffs each summer laying eggs. They fish constantly in front of the rookery and then train the young hatchlings all the survival tips they will need before returning to fly south for the winter. The rookery is our last stop before returning to Whittier.

26 GLACIERs we have seen around Whittier Alaska, in the cruise tour. 

Alaska Glacier Tour
Whittier Glacier Billings Glacier Tebenkof Glacier Pigot Glacier Cascade Glacier Barnard Glacier Holyoke Glacier Wellesley Glacier Vassar Glacier	Bryn Mawr Glacier Smith Glacier (Alaska) Harvard Glacier Downer Glacier Yale Glacier Baby Glacier Dartmouth Glacier Williams Glacier Amherst Glacier	Crescent Glacier Ripon Glacier Lawrence Glacier Marquette Glacier Beloit Glacier Blackstone Glacier Northland Glacier Concordia Glacier

SUGGESTED DRIVING ITINERARY

Discover the glaciers of Prince William Sound on an easy day trip from Anchorage. Our afternoon cruise departures allow time for a leisurely morning in Anchorage before heading down the Seward Highway which is designated a National Scenic Byway. There are many photo opportunities along the way, so be sure to have your camera ready! At mile 79, turn onto Portage Glacier Road and continue to Whittier via the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel. After the cruise, the tunnel is open on the hour for your return to Anchorage in time for dinner and a chance to share stories about the glaciers and wildlife you saw.

9:00 AM Depart Anchorage and travel south on the Seward Highway to mile 79 and turn onto the Portage Glacier Road.

10:30 AM Tunnel entrance to Whittier, Alaska

11:00 AM Upon arrival in Whittier, collect your boarding cards and explore Whittier before parking.

11:45 AM Return to the pier for boarding. All guests are requested to be on board by 12:15 PM.

12:30 PM 26 Glacier Cruise departs

5:30 PM Return to the dock

The Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel is open on the hour until 11:00 PM.