Cruises from Whittier

Whittier is a small town that lies 120 km south east of Anchorage in south central Alaska. The town has its origins from World War II, when the American military built a port and railroad terminus near the Whittier Glacier (named after the American poet John Greenleaf Whittier). The port was used by the military until 1960. Today, the town is a popular port of call for cruise ships and is popular with tourists and sport fishermen. It has links to Anchorage and the Alaskan interior.

Whittier offers the visitor a number of activities including fishing, glacier cruises and kayaking. The Prince William Sound Explorer Glacier Cruise takes passengers through the fjords and is an opportunity to explore the wilderness and tame waters of Prince William Sound. Highlights of the tour include the waterfalls and inlets of Esther Passage and the tidewater glaciers of Barry Arm. The cruise lasts six hours, during which passengers can enjoy lunch, watch the abundant marine life and learn about the natural history of the area. The cruise is available from May to September.

College Fjord is regularly visited by cruise ships due to its spectacular glaciers. It is also ideal for kayakers who want a more remote location as well as offering a range of hiking activities. Archaeological evidence from the Gold Rush era provides historical interest.

Denali National Park is home to North America’s tallest mountain, Mount McKinley. The park also contains other mountains and large glaciers. It covers an area of 6 million acres. Wolves, bears, Dall sheep, caribou and moose can be found within its perimeters. The park can be reached either by car or the Alaskan railroad. There are also a number of tours available to the park. Near the park entrance other trips are available such as helicopter flights, white water scenic rafting, husky kennel tours, horse riding and dinner theatres. The latter are traditional evenings in an Alaskan log cabin. Music and humour are used by a talented cast to bring to life the story of the Alaskan Gold Rush of the early 1900s.

The Prince William Sound Museum pays tribute to Alaska’s legends and was created by the Whittier Museum Association. The museum was developed using floor-space in the Anchor Inn donated by the Shen family. Over the years the museum has evolved and now has 19 exhibits that chronicle the town’s history as a military port and rail terminal. It also encompasses Alaska’s military heritage during World War II and the Cold War. There are two large buildings in Whittier; Begich Tower in which half the population of the town live and the old abandoned Buckner Building. The latter was intended to be a complete city under one roof, including accommodations, shops, a prison, a school and a hospital. Today it is considered structurally unstable it also contains asbestos and is occasionally frequented by bears.

The peak season for visiting Alaska is mid-June to mid-August. The days are long and the prices tend to be higher. Travelling outside this period in May or September will allow you to take advantage of discounts, which can be between 10-25%, offered by some tours and hotels. May tends to be cold and some outdoor activities may not be possible. Alaska weather is not predictable and while it does not have a rainy season as such; the likelihood of rain increases as the season progresses. Summer weather is usually warm and sunny in the interior. If you are planning a trip to Alaska it is advisable to wear layers of clothing which will keep you warm and dry. Comfortable walking shoes and a rainproof jacket are also advisable. Alaska is very casual so bring t-shirts, jeans, sweatshirts and jumpers.