Things to do in Whittier

[dsw39]

We will be in port from 8am-9pm September 2,2013. This is a b2b cruise!. Any ideas as to shore excursions from this port?

Thanks

Dave

[pizzalady1]

We will be in port from 8am-9pm September 2,2013. This is a b2b cruise!. Any ideas as to shore excursions from this port?

Thanks

Dave

 

Take a Major Marine Prince William Sound tour:

http://www.majormarine.com/alaska-day-cruises/prince-william-sound-glacier-cruise/

[luvlake]

I agree the Major Marine or 26 Glacier day trips are not to be missed. We took the 26 Glacier trip last year for the 2nd time and honestly would do it again. The trips start around noon and brings you back by 6:00 pm. We walked around town for a few minutes (won't take long) and then boarded 26 Glacier for a wonderful day. Your noon meal on this trip is included.

[PennyAgain]

I would also consider (if offered) a tour that goes out of Whittier along Turnagain Arm which is my favorite place in the world for views and generally Alaska amazement.

[mapleleaves]

google the name of any town plus ' visitor information' or 'chamber of commerce' and you'll find that town's tourism info. Here's Whittier's. Click on Business Directory to get a list of activities and vendors.

http://www.whittieralaskachamber.org/index.htm

 

Since you're doing b2b cruises, perhaps you'd prefer to spend the day with land activities. Rent a car from Avis for the day. As Penny suggested, the Turnagain Arm offers many sights and activities ... gold panning, Potters Marsh to watch swans, the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, the tram at Alyeska resort. Suggested stops in this link.

http://alaska.org/driving/portage-valley-whittier-spur-drive.htm

 

Be mindful of the opening times at the Whittier tunnel; only once an hr in each direction. The tunnel schedule is in the Whittier Chamber link. Whittier is less than an hr from Anchorage so you won't be travelling a long distance.

[dsw39]

Thanks everyone! I have been reviewing the area and asking for information from tour operators. Will probably take one of the tours to the glaciers after reveiwing those recommended.

Dave

[Glaciers]

Agree the Prince William Sound cruise is the thing to do. If you have extra time there is a nice little hike of about 1 mile each way that goes up to Portage Pass. There is some elevation gain but the view at the top is very nice. From the top you can look down on the Whittier side bay and also look down on Portage Glacier on the other side. Really incredible views.

[cincycarol]

Agree the Prince William Sound cruise is the thing to do. If you have extra time there is a nice little hike of about 1 mile each way that goes up to Portage Pass. There is some elevation gain but the view at the top is very nice. From the top you can look down on the Whittier side bay and also look down on Portage Glacier on the other side. Really incredible views.

 

I'm also debating whether or not to do the PWS tour when we get off the ship.

 

We're renting a car and going to Seward and planning to see Exit Glacier on the way and possibly the Sea Life Center. The next day we will either charter fish or do a Kenai Fjords Tour.

 

If we do the PWS tour I don't think we'll have time for the Sea Life Center.

 

How do the PWS and Kenai Fjords tours compare?

[Chenega]

I'm also debating whether or not to do the PWS tour when we get off the ship.

 

We're renting a car and going to Seward and planning to see Exit Glacier on the way and possibly the Sea Life Center. The next day we will either charter fish or do a Kenai Fjords Tour.

 

If we do the PWS tour I don't think we'll have time for the Sea Life Center.

 

How do the PWS and Kenai Fjords tours compare?

 

Both are excellent trips - the focus with PWS is on glaciers while the Kenai Fjords tours tend to see more wildlife (although the park tours do visit a glacier). The waters in Prince William Sound are more protected and can be smoother than a Kenai Fjords trip. Can't go wrong on either one.

[Glaciers]

How do the PWS and Kenai Fjords tours compare?

 

As Chenega mentioned, you can’t go wrong with either. It may depend on your schedule. Just need to account for a 2 hour drive from Whittier to Seward and that you can only drive through the one-way tunnel out of Whittier on the hour. To add to the confusion there is the Begich Boggs Visitor Center shortly after exiting the tunnel as well as Portage Glacier in that area that has very short tours by boat. Not an option that you should consider over either the PWS or Kenai Fjords day trips, however. If you can only do one day trip and both can fit your schedule, do you want to see more glaciers-PWS or more wildlife-Kenai Fjords?