Private Glacier Quest Cruise with Roundtrip Hotel Transportation

Your private charter begins with a scenic drive through the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, the longest one-way, multi-use tunnel in North America, providing access to the coastal town of Whittier, Alaska - the western gateway to Prince William Sound. Upon arrival, you will depart from Cliffside Marina and set course for the glacier-rich waters of Blackstone Bay. As the vessel leaves the harbor, take a moment to look back toward Whittier to catch views of Whittier Glacier. While cruising through Passage Canal and into Blackstone Bay, your Captain will share stories of the region's history, including insights into Prince William Sound and the indigenous cultures that have lived here for generations.

As you enter Blackstone Bay, a dramatic deepwater fjord sculpted by centuries of glacial activity, you will be surrounded by the pristine wilderness of Chugach National Forest. Waterfalls spill from alpine glaciers high above, cascading down steep mountainsides into the sea. Wildlife sightings are common and may include sea otters, Steller sea lions, mountain goats, bears, whales, and more.

Within Blackstone Bay, you will encounter several impressive glaciers. Tebenkof Glacier is named after Mikhail Demitrievich Tebenkof, a renowned surveyor whose charts became the first published maps of Alaska's coastal waters in 1852. Northland Glacier clings strikingly to the edge of a towering mountain, while Blackstone and Beloit Glaciers are tidewater glaciers, with towering walls of ice rising directly from the ocean. Your Captain will navigate close to these massive formations, offering the opportunity to listen to the unmistakable crack and thunder of ice calving into the sea.

On the return journey to Whittier, you will pass a kittiwake bird rookery home to more than 10,000 nesting birds perched along the rocky cliffs of Passage Canal. This area is also a prime location to spot mountain goats, which are often seen high above the rookery along the surrounding cliffs.

Please note: The vessel travels a total of 45 miles round trip. They will go about 20-25 miles from Cliffside Marina. Per Coast Guard regulations they will take you as close as .2 miles from the face of the tidewater glaciers. Photo ID is REQUIRED on the day of tour.

Itinerary Overview:

8:45 AM - Pick-Up from Alyeska Resort