Prince William Sound Glacier Quest Cruise

The calmer water of Prince William Sound welcomes visitors to a smooth ride on this day cruise, which sails a 45-mile loop from Whittier. Departing the Cliffside Marina, the views of Passage Canal are immediately exceptional, with cliffsides carved by ancient glaciers, dense forests, and waterfalls all there for the looking.

Calm waters welcome visitors to a smooth ride.

The cruise soon dips into Blackstone Bay, where alpine, valley, and tidewater glaciers dot the expansive landscape. The mighty Blackstone Glacier is a highlight among them. Along the whole route you'll also have the chance to see some of the sound's abundant marine life. Sea otters, harbor seals, Steller sea lions, and Dall's porpoise are common in the water, while mountain goats, black bears, and a variety of seabirds like kittiwakes and cormorants roam along the cliff and mountainsides.

The cruise returns to the marina in Whittier after just under four hours.

More Details

An added bus transfer from Anchorage or Girdwood makes this Whittier day cruise a good fit for independent travelers who'd rather not rent a car. After pickups in Anchorage, the scenic drive takes guests down the Turnagain Arm with a stop in Girdwood, then into Portage Valley and through a 2.5-mile tunnel to Prince William Sound. Guests are dropped at the Cliffside Marina. On the return trip, guests will arrive back in Anchorage at about 7:30 PM (downtown) and 8:30 PM (airport).

Guests on the Glacier Quest cruise aboard a high-speed catamaran with comfortable indoor cabin decks, large picture windows, and outdoor viewing areas. All passengers are assigned indoor cabin seats around tables with USB ports. The boat is ADA accessible. No smoking is allowed onboard.

The onboard lunch includes wild Alaska smoked salmon chowder, fresh salad, a roll, and a sweet treat. Vegetarian/gluten free and child lunch options available when requested in advance. The cruise offers complimentary hot tea, coffee, and water. Additional snacks, hot and cold drinks, and adult beverages are available for purchase.

What to Bring

To make the most of views on the exterior decks, bring a rain jacket, hat, and gloves. Wear warm base layers and rubber-soled shoes. Even on a sunny day, the breeze coming off tidewater glaciers can be quite chilly. Be sure to bring a camera and binoculars.

Special Instructions

Passengers driving by car should plan to take the 11:30 AM tunnel entrance into Whittier. Click here for more information about the Whittier Tunnel.

Transfers & Meeting Points

Passengers arriving by car can park for a fee in pay lots across the Whittier Creek bridge toward the marina.

Rates & Dates

Here are the rates and operating dates for this product. Remember, we have a lowest price guarantee for nearly everything we sell.

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Departure Times

Departure times and locations are listed below. Click on a link for an interactive map.

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Availability

Select a departure below to see current availability. If your desired date is sold out (red) we will do our best to find an alternative, but we may not be able to accommodate your request.

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