Doing a glacier cruise when you’re in Anchorage may not seem like an option, but you actually can do it! While Anchorage itself doesn’t have any tidewater glaciers to visit, if you drive down to Whittier you’ll find the Phillips 26 Glacier Cruise. That’s right, this sailing takes you past 26 different glaciers including those of the famous College Fjord. I’ve got all the details about the Phillips 26 Glacier Cruise, tips for a great time on the water, and suggestions for making the adventure to Whittier the best it can be.
Highlights of the Phillips 26 Glacier Cruise
What I really like about the Phillips 26 Glacier Cruise is the combination of both getting to see a lot AND having a very nice boat. There are many glacier cruises all throughout Alaska, but this is the nicest one I’ve been on. There is Alaska Native art throughout the ship, the seating and tables are very nice, there’s a nice bar area and gift shop, and the bathrooms are the best boat bathrooms I’ve ever seen. I have spent a ton of time on boats in Alaska and the Phillips glacier cruise boats out of Whittier are the nicest I’ve been on.
Tip: when it becomes available during your cruise, the Glacier Ice Margarita is a fun pick for an adult beverage that’s very much on theme.
When it comes to the actual glacier cruise itinerary, Phillips does a great job getting you to as many glaciers as possible while also going to some of the best wildlife spots in the northern reach of Prince William Sound. There is plenty of time spent in front of glaciers waiting for them to calve, but then the captain also spends time with the wildlife when it shows up. Really, this is such a well done glacier cruise and I highly recommend it.
Gear and Being Prepared for a Whittier Glacier Cruise
When you’re doing a glacier cruise out of Whittier, you’ll want to be prepared for rain, wind and cold. If you’re lucky you’ll have some beautiful blue sky for some of your trip, but that’s not always the case. It’s best to be prepared with warm waterproof jackets, scarves and gloves, and warm hats. Yes, even in peak summer, the weather can be chilly and damp. Sometimes though, the sun breaks through and the glaciers and bergy bits glisten in the sun, but it’s best to be ready for the worse weather.
Camera gear is also important to bring. Not everyone is a professional photographer, and that’s okay. If you want to capture photos with a phone or a simple point and shoot camera, that’s absolutely fine. If you are bringing bigger photography gear, you won’t need a tripod for your shots. The boat is always moving at least a little bit and using a tripod on a rocking boat is pointless.
For wildlife, a 250mm lens is great for capturing the otters and whales in a broad shot, but a 600mm or 800mm does the best for snapping photos much closer. And yes, the boat is moving, but even with the motion the bigger lenses are still easy enough to manage to get great photos.
Tips for the Best 26 Glacier Cruise on Prince William Sound
Something great about the Phillips 26 Glacier Cruise from Whittier is that you can show up and enjoy the whole thing from inside the boat if you really want to. I think it’s best if you’re actively participating in the experience, going out on the front and top decks, but everybody has their own travel style and comfort levels. Seats do get assigned so it’s easy to have a place to leave your things, but you do you.
For those who get seasick THIS IS THE CRUISE FOR YOU. The Phillips glaciers cruises have a no-sea-sick guarantee (confirm with the office that you’re on one of those sailings and the details) because of both where they go on their cruises and due to the type of boat they sail. The ride on the catamarans is very smooth and the sheltered nature of both College Fjord and Blackstone Bay keeps the water calm and easy to enjoy. If you’re doing a Kenai Fjords Tour, you’ll be crossing the Harding Passage which is notorious for making ME want to vomit, but the Phillips 26 Glacier Cruise is nothing like that.
Directions and Park for the Phillips 26 Glacier Cruise
If you didn’t catch it, this awesome boat tour goes out of the town of Whittier. “Where’s Whittier?” Well, South of Anchorage on the way to the Kenai Peninsula you’ll drive along the Turnagain Arm, and when you get to Girdwood you’ll come to the Portage Valley. If you turn left onto Portage Glacier Road, you’ll get to the end of the valley to the Anton Anderson Tunnel. You’ll pay your round trip fee of $13 USD (2024 rate) to go through the 2.5 mile tunnel for the ten minute drive into Whittier. This is the gateway to Prince William Sound. Tunnel schedule here.
There is a paid parking area directly next to where you board for the Phillips 26 Glacier Cruise. Parking is $10 and there is an attendant to direct you. There is also parking across the street, which is likely where most visitors will need to park on busy days. It’s nothing to stress about, but between the tunnel schedule (it is only one way at a time) and checking in, you’ll want to be early. If you give yourself enough time before your glacier cruise you can visit the main shop area further into town and then head off into Prince William Sound.
Note: the tour company themselves recommend being in line for the 10:30 am tunnel into Whittier for the 26 Glacier Cruise, but if you want to do the 9:30 am you’ll have PLENTY of time to visit the shops, grab coffee, and watch the eagles in the harbor.
Just off-site parking: 3107 Whittier St, Whittier AK 99693
Tour Operating Info
To complete your planning, here is all the information to plan and book your adventure.
- Operating Dates/Season: early May through early October
- Tour office phone number: 907-276-8023
- Company website: Phillips Glacier Cruises
- Tour check-in address: 100 West Camp Road, Whittier AK 99693
- Tour booking links: Phillips 26 Glacier Cruise from Whittier
More Things to Do in Whittier, Portage and Girdwood
Whittier is a port town, through and through. It’s famous for being the town where everyone lives in one building, and for those of us who’ve lived in Alaska, we always like to say “It’s, um, prettier in Whittier…” but exchange “prettier” for a rhyming word that means crappy weather. It’s true that Whittier tends to get much worse weather on the regular than the Portage side of the tunnel or up in Anchorage, but it is still beautiful. When you’re doing a glacier cruise or fishing out of Whittier, the weather often improves as you enter Prince William Sound, so have hope! Portage and Girdwood are both off the Seward Highway, so it’s easy to plan activities or stops on the way to Whittier or the Kenai Peninsula from the Anchorage area. Here are a few additional things you can add to your time in Whittier to make the most of your visit:
- wildlife watching in the marina – otters, seals and eagles frequent the marina in all weather
- Prince William Sound Salt Co – great sea salts for cooking and baths with salt production viewing
- walk the row of shops and vendors – there are some unique souvenir shops and vendors in Whittier, and several cafes that stay open until mid-September
- Portage Glacier – stop into the visitor center or do the short boat tour to the glacier on the lake
- Trail of Blue Ice – easy trail that you can join anywhere along the Portage Glacier Road
- Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center – a good place to see rescued animals and learn about Alaska wildlife
Dining in Whittier and Girdwood
Whittier is a small town, and so is Girdwood, but there is good food to be had. If you’re heading to Whittier for the day, during peak summer months you’ll have quite a few options for meals… not so in the off-season. Girdwood stays pretty open all year as it’s got the Alyeska Resort in town that attracts people from all over the state in both summer and winter. Here are our picks for where to eat in both Whittier and Girdwood:
- Lazy Otter Cafe – in the marina for coffee and snacks
- Wild Catch Cafe – perfectly Whittier, great for lunch
- Varly’s Swiftwater Seafood Cafe – easy and delicious, good standard
- Girdwood Brewing Co – food trucks and great local beers
- Forte at the Alyeska Prince Resort – really good Italian food that you’re not expecting in Alaska
- Chair 5 – burgers and such, chill vibe and delicious
- Double Musky Inn – in Girdwood, pricey but very good
Where to Stay in Portage / Girdwood / Whittier
If you’re thinking you don’t want to stay in Anchorage to drive down to activities in the Portage Valley, Girdwood or over in Whittier, there are actually lots of places to choose from down here along the Turnagain Arm and up the valley. There are not a ton of hotels, but lots of private rentals. Stays in Whittier are few and far between, so planning to be on the west side of the tunnel is a good idea.
More ideas for your visit to Whittier, Portage and Girdwood:
I hope you’re excited to experience the Phillips 26 Glacier Cruise. Between the beautiful views, wildlife and amazing glaciers, I know you’ll love it. If you have any questions about visiting Whittier, road tripping in Alaska, or Southcentral Alaska please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to help with travel planning for an Alaska Trip!
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