Prince William Sound, Alaska

Departing Whittier
"the western gateway to Prince Wm. Sound"

These trips highlight the spectacular tidewater glaciers of College Fjord, Harriman Fjord, Barry Arm and Blackstone Bay (depending on trip). Also depending on trip, you will see bald eagles, sea otters, harbor seals, and a variety of seabirds. We occasionally see whales, porpoises and black bears, but not nearly as dependably as on our specialized wildlife tours. We get as close to the glaciers as ice conditions and safety allow. Our careful adherence to protection guidelines assures that your trip will have a minimal affect on wildlife's natural behavior.

By late July, black-legged kittiwake chicks are growing rapidly
at their rookery across the bay from Whittier (photo above).

Cascade, Barry (top right) and Coxe Glaciers (bottom right)
are featured in our "Esther Passage/Barry Arm" tour. ---->

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College Fjord Plus

When: Any open date, early June - September
How Long? About 8 hours and 110 miles.
Cost: $184 plus tax
. . . . . . . 2-passenger minimum if booked over a month ahead,
. . . . . . . 4-passenger minimum if booked less than a month ahead.
Discounts: 10% off if 6 total passengers; Children under 12, 1/3 off if at least 4 adult fares.

The ideal alternative to crowded, cursory big-boat glacier tours. Stupendous mountains and the Sound's densest concentration of glaciers, including Harvard Glacier, the Sound's second biggest. This is a remote, pristine region, where we almost always see lots of sea otters and harbor seals. We visit several glaciers, marine wildlife hotspots, and a spectacular hidden waterfall. En route, we cruise close to scenic shorelines. Optional stop at a remote beach for lunch, where Capt. Gerry will stay with the beached boat in the interetidal zone, leaving you free to adventure on your own. The tradeoff is less time at the glaciers.

Compared with crowded big boat glacier tours operating from Whittier, for just a few dollars more each for a party of six, you get to spend more time on the water, spend more time at the glaciers we visit, you get a value-added experience and you definitely have more fun!

Photo Top Left
Bryn Mawr Glacier, in College Fjord's Harvard Arm, is one of the glaciers we visit on this tour.

Photo Bottom Left
Harbor seals are usually found hauled out on the thick "brash ice" in front of Harvard glacier.

When: Any open date, March - September

Length: About 5 hours and 85 miles

Cost: $149, plus $6 tax; snacks included.
2-passenger minimum if booked over a month ahead,
4-passenger minimum if booked less than a month ahead.

Discounts: 10% off if 6 total passengers; Children under 12, 33% off if at least 4 adult fares.

We cruise narrow, scenic Esther Passage, and spend plenty of time visiting three active glaciers that empty into a mile-wide bay at the head of Barry Arm that is rimmed with steep, rugged mountains. We also visit a small puffin colony, sea otter feeding grounds, plus a secluded, wildlife-rich bay.

Compared with crowded big boat glacier tours operating from Whittier, for just a few dollars more we offer a value-added experience and we definitely have more fun!

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We visit Blackstone (top photo) and/or Beloit Glaciers
(bottom photo) on this tour.

Bald eagles are common in Prince William Sound. An adult and 2-yr juvenile feed on a salmon carcass (photo right).

When: Any open date, March - September

Length: About 5 hours and 85 miules

Cost: $149, plus $6 tax; snacks included.
2-passenger minimum if booked more than a month ahead,
4-passenger minimum if booked less than a month ahead.

Discounts: 10% off if 6 total passengers; Children under 12, 33% off if at least 4 adult fares.

This tour features the closest calving glaciers to Whittier, but it places more emphasis on wildlife than the other Blackstone Bay glacier trips. We pass hanging glaciers and abundant waterfalls, we visit Blackstone and/or Beloit Glaciers, and then head out to open waters and islands where we'll likely find sea otters, Steller sea lions, harbor seals, puffins and a variety of other wildlife. Good chance for whales and porpoises in early summer.