THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Board at Cliffside Marina in Whittier for a 3 hour 45 minute high-speed cruise into Blackstone Bay to watch tidewater glaciers calve, scan a 10,000-bird kittiwake rookery, and search for whales, otters, and coastal wildlife. Comfortable, narrated, and family-friendly—this trip makes Prince William Sound’s big ice accessible in a single afternoon.
Board at Cliffside Marina in Whittier for a 3 hour 45 minute high-speed cruise into Blackstone Bay to watch tidewater glaciers calve, scan a 10,000-bird kittiwake rookery, and search for whales, otters, and coastal wildlife. Comfortable, narrated, and family-friendly—this trip makes Prince William Sound’s big ice accessible in a single afternoon.
Book with Phillips Cruises & Tours
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Phillips Cruises & Tours · Whittier, Alaska
Glacier Quest Cruise launches from Cliffside Marina, 100 West Camp Rd, Whittier, Alaska 99693, carrying visitors into the glacier-carved arms of Prince William Sound. In a compact, 3 hour 45 minute outing you’ll cross Passage Canal and run 45 miles into remote Blackstone Bay where tidewater and alpine glaciers carve the shorelines and waterfalls spill off steep graywacke and shale cliffs. The route reveals Whittier Glacier in the town’s approach, then Tebenkof Glacier - named for the 19th-century surveyor Mikhail Demitrievich Tebenkof - and a sequence of others including Northland, Blackstone and Beloit. Blackstone and Beloit are tidewater glaciers: you can watch their fronts groan and calve into the sea, a sound and sight that rearranges your idea of scale. Rocky cliffs host a kittiwake rookery with more than 10,000 nesting birds; keep an eye for whorls of white wings and ask the captain about nesting seasons and bird behavior. Wildlife sightings layer the landscape: humpback and orca whales, Steller sea lions on rocky perches, sea otters floating like life vests, and occasionally bears or mountain goats higher on the slopes. The captain’s professional narration provides context - from local Native Alaskan history to the military-era construction of the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel that links Whittier to Interior Alaska - so the trip reads as natural history plus human story. What makes this cruise stand out is the combination of accessibility and intensity: arriving at Cliffside Marina puts you minutes from ocean-bound glaciers, and the high-speed catamaran covers more water without skimping on close approaches. The operator offers an industry-exclusive No Seasickness Guarantee, a complimentary hot meal, and attentive crew who position the boat for viewing glaciers and wildlife. Note that some vessels have stairs and raised thresholds; guests should notify reservations of ADA needs. Practicalities matter: the recommended tunnel time is 11:30 AM for self-drivers to ensure on-time check-in; tunnel tolls and parking are separate. Dress in layered, waterproof clothing and bring binoculars and a camera with a telephoto lens for wildlife and calving shots. Be prepared for cold spray and sudden wind on open decks. For travelers based in Anchorage or Girdwood, coach and rail options hook into the itinerary seasonally from May through September. Glacier Quest Cruise is a dramatic, readable way to experience Prince William Sound - where moving ice, steep gray rock, thundering waterfalls and concentrated wildlife make a single afternoon feel like a deep step into Alaska’s elemental coast. Bookings recommend check-in with Photo I.D.; coach, rail, or self-drive options simplify logistics for daytrips from Anchorage. Small group inquiries are welcome—call 1-907-276-8023 for groups of 15 or more. Whether you’re traveling with family or solo, Glacier Quest balances comfort and close-up Alaskan wilderness for an unforgettable afternoon on the Sound. Book early for seats.
easy.
3–4 hours.
No special fitness required; guests should be able to board the vessel and stand or sit for the cruise.
The Glacier Quest Cruise runs approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes from Whittier into Blackstone Bay.
Check-in is at Cliffside Marina, 100 West Camp Rd, Whittier, Alaska 99693; bring Photo I.D. per operator instructions.
Expect whales, sea otters, Steller sea lions, kittiwakes, and occasionally bears or mountain goats on shorelines.
Self-drivers should plan to use the 11:30 AM Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel for timely check-in; tunnel tolls and parking are separate.
The operator offers an industry-exclusive No Seasickness Guarantee—check booking details for how to claim it and recommended remedies.
Some vessels require stairs and raised thresholds; notify reservations of ADA needs when booking so staff can advise or accommodate.
Tebenkof Glacier bears the name of 19th-century Russian surveyor Mikhail Demitrievich Tebenkof; the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel was built later to connect Whittier to Interior Alaska.
Stay on designated decks, avoid tossing food or plastics overboard, and follow crew guidance to minimize disturbance to wildlife and nesting birds.
Phillips Cruises & Tours operates out of Whittier, Alaska, offering sightseeing cruises and day tours that explore Prince William Sound and nearby coastal areas. The company runs the Glacier Quest Cruise, a high-speed sightseeing trip that sails through Prince William Sound to view ten named glaciers, towering waterfalls, and marine wildlife such as whales, sea otters, and seals. Passengers experience glacier calving, dramatic mountain scenery, and coastal wildlife observation from onboard viewing areas. All departures originate from Whittier, providing convenient access for visitors arriving by road or rail. Tours are led by captains and crew familiar with local waterways and Alaska coastal conditions, using vessels equipped for sightseeing and passenger safety. The company focuses on natural-history interpretation, pointing out geological features, glacier behavior, and wildlife habitat during cruises. Phillips Cruises & Tours accommodates day travelers, photographers, families, and outdoor enthusiasts seeking close-up glacier views without multi-day backcountry travel. Reservation information includes departure times, boarding instructions, and guidance on appropriate clothing for coastal weather and sea spray. The operator follows regional safety practices and navigational protocols applicable to Prince William Sound excursions. For travelers planning a visit to Whittier or nearby Alaska destinations, Phillips Cruises & Tours provides itineraries centered on glacier viewing and wildlife watching, delivering practical access to Prince William Sound’s scenic highlights. The Glacier Quest Cruise remains a primary offering for those seeking dramatic glacier scenery and wildlife encounters on a single-day high-speed cruise. Customer information is available online and through local Whittier visitor centers and seasonal schedules.
Book with Phillips Cruises & Tours