26 Glacier Tour from Anchorage: A Self-Drive Experience with Dynamic Glaciers and Abundant Wildlife
4.7
88 Ratings
Anchorage
Embark on a thrilling 26 Glacier Tour from Anchorage and experience the beauty of dynamic glaciers and abundant wildlife in Prince William Sound. Cruise in comfort on a high-speed catamaran and enjoy a memorable Alaska vacation.
Duration: 5 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel - Travel time from Anchorage to Whittier is 90 minutes. From Girdwood to Whittier, allow 45 minutes. Please plan your day with this travel time in mind. (The cruise portion is 5 hours.)

All cruises depart from Whittier, AK. Bring your photo I.D. and check in at least one hour before your cruise departs. Being late may cause the cancellation of reserved seats and/or an entire reservation.

To reach Whittier, you will travel through North America’s longest shared rail and vehicle tunnel, the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel. This tunnel allows one-way traffic access to and from Whittier on a strict schedule. The tunnel opens going to Whittier thirty minutes past the hour (9:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 11:30 AM). We recommend the 10:30 AM tunnel opening for your cruise to allow time to park and check in. Transportation to Whittier, tunnel toll, and parking fee are not included. After your cruise, the tunnel will be open hourly, on the hour, until 11:00 PM.

What's Included
  • No seasickness guarantee with a money-back offer
  • Fully catered lunch included
  • USB charging stations available at every table
  • ADA Accessible for inclusive glacier sightseeing
  • On-board restrooms for your convenience
  • Complimentary tea and coffee throughout the journey
  • Expert narration by a Chugach National Forest Service ranger
  • Smoke-free vessels for a comfortable experience
What's Not Included
  • Does not include transportation to Whittier.
  • Does not include Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel toll $13.
  • Does not include parking fees of $10-$15.
  • Warm your spirits with our signature hot drinks or try our Glacier Ice Margarita. Our full-service bar features Alaskan ales on tap, wine, a full selection of spirits and liquors.
  • Gift Shop items are available for purchase on boat.
  • Gratuities
Additional Information

For visitors in Anchorage or Girdwood possessing personal transportation, we offer a 5-hour journey on calm waters to witness active glaciers and a diverse range of wildlife in the untouched wilds of Prince William Sound.

Our excursion spans 140 miles, traversing areas like Port Wells, Esther Passage, College Fjord, Harriman fjord, or Blackstone Bay. Depending on the weather, ice movements, and wildlife occurrences, our skilled captains adjust accordingly to these alterations, ensuring an optimal cruising experience while prioritizing your safety and comfort. Our cordial and diligent crew is committed to making this journey the highlight of your trip to Alaska.

We are the only ones in the industry to assure the No Seasickness Guarantee, promising every guest a comfortable cruise. All our journeys are organized using top-tier high-speed catamarans which provide unparalleled stability, allowing them to effortlessly traverse the narrow fjords and ice flows, bringing you up close to colossal glaciers.

  • Be mindful of the space around you for social distancing
  • All crew and guests must wear a mask or face covering per current COVID-19 procedures.
Location
Anchorage
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.7
(88 Ratings)
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Erica_c
Oct 28, 2023
Great tour!! - Such a great trip!! We got on the last tour before the season ended, and it was absolutely fantastic. We had someone with us who normally gets seasick, and she was fine the whole time! The whole staff was great and very hospitable. Would highly recommend this to anyone!
Review provided by Viator
R7191gwchrise
Sep 26, 2023
Bucket list item checked off; Excellent Glacier Tour!! - The 26 Glacier cruise was fantastic. It starts with an easy drive from Anchorage. We targeted the 10:30 tunnel for the 11:45 boarding, as per the cruise company website. After a quick safety brief, we had Marty, a National Forest Service ranger, narrate during the tour. The boat was immaculate, the bathrooms pristine. Complimentary coffee, water, and tea were provided along with a meal service. Great quality binoculars were available to rent for only $5! There was also plenty of additional food items for purchase like beer and reindeer dogs and the price was surprisingly inexpensive for a captive audience. Once we got to Harvard Glacier the captain pointed out spots to watch for calving and spun the boat around so both sides could see! The sounds of the cracking ice was totally cool! We later visited Yale Glacier and saw tons of Harbor seals floating on ice flows. Since we cruised late in the season, we didn’t see whales or migratory birds but this is to be expected in late September. We also didn’t have a packed boat and could spread out and relax!! The crew was always present and ready to take pictures for the passengers. Lastly, Prince William sound is protected from the open Gulf of Alaska and so the waves were non-existent and we had a smooth ride all day long. We easily made the 7pm tunnel for an 8pm arrival back at Anchorage. Great Bucket list trip!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jamier782021
Sep 24, 2023
Amazing!! - Perfect day, perfect outing! Even the food was amazing!! Every view was spectacular!! Would do it again and highly recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Abhishil
Sep 20, 2023
Unparalleled Experience - We had a wonderful time doing the 26 glacier cruise. We received a reminder the previous evening from Phillips Cruise. We took the 9.30 am drive through the tunnel which was an experience in itself. As advised, we parked our car at the parking lot where we met the delightful Natalie. She assisted us in paying the parking fees, since we had reached early - she gave us a map where she had highlighted the major landmarks, the route etc which we felt was thoughtful. At her recommendation, we zipped off to Lazy Otter for a good breakfast and coffee returning at boarding time. We had already picked up our boarding passes from another welcoming lady at the cruise office. The boarding was a breeze. No rushing for a vantage point - seats are allotted on a first booked first served basis which we totally appreciated. First the cruise of course . It was a wonderful trip - we were awed , overwhelmed, stunned by the size, number and beauty of the fjords. The glaciers are interestingly named after colleges like Harvard, Yale and so on! Imagine seeing at close quarters a (Harvard) glacier 1.5 miles across and 26 miles deep! The captain gave a lot of time for the passengers to see the glaciers. For the major ones, he turned the catamaran on both sides so that all had a good look. We saw the glaciers calving and it was a beautiful place to be amongst floating icebergs and in front of glaciers. The crew broke a small piece of glacier ice which we could touch and a part of which was used to make chilled delicious Margaritas ! The Captain as well as the park ranger accompanying us gave an excellent commentary through out the cruise, sharing interesting exhibits too. I felt it majorly added value to the trip. One learns so many things and interesting trivia on guided tours! Next was the food arrangements. A good lunch, complimentary free flowing tea and coffee, and even freshly baked cookies as an evening snack.. Towards the end, there was a photo session with a glacier as the backdrop with placards provided by the cruise and taken by a crew member Ryan. A special mention of Ryan who was very cheerful, shared information, took photographs, assisted passengers. All the crew members were friendly and helpful. Two tips - if it rains when your cruise starts, do not worry. It may not be raining where the glaciers are. Secondly, if you are prone to sea sickness, do not worry - the cruise is very smooth.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lisa_h
Sep 18, 2023
Best part of my trip - The glaciers were definitely the best part of the trip. I didn’t expect to see as many glaciers as we did. I was very impressed with how close they got us to the glaciers. Definitely a highlight of my trip.
Review provided by Viator
Wholt13
Aug 30, 2023
Wonderful trip - highly recommended! - Wonderful trip - highly recommended! We took the train down/back from Anchorage to Whittier for the Cruise, and that ride was also great (beautiful scenery, saw beluga whales, very relaxing). Weather was a bit tough, but the captain and crew worked so hard to make our cruise deliver - and it did! All the glaciers were stunning, with several “calving” for us. We saw orcas, eagles, bears, otters, seals, sea lions, and numerous birds. Simply amazing!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kevin_m
Aug 25, 2023
Great glaciers and waterfalls - Although it was a rainy and cold day, the staff did a great job, the commentary was spot on, and despite the rain, we had great views of what we went to see.
Review provided by Viator
Ana_b
Aug 18, 2023
Views of glaciers … woowww!!! - Really no es views, the glacier was so close to us, and the captain made everything in her hands to everyone had an amazing time!
Review provided by Viator
Wendy_h
Sep 12, 2023
The ranger was talking... - The ranger was talking and we barely hear him. The food was good and service was excellent. However the entire glacier experience was not great. We barely see any wildlife as whats been advertised. We felt too long after three hours. Skipping small glaciers would have been and cut short the trip time would be perfect.
Review provided by Viator
Surendra_j
Sep 4, 2023
Good tour but price was high - Nice hospitality. Excellent tour guide. Good food. Clean boat Price viator charged was 45 $ higher than available directly from the vendor.
Review provided by Viator
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May 2024
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