At the head of Passage Canal on the northeast shore of the Kenai Peninsula lies the town of Whittier, about 60 miles southeast of Anchorage. In fact, to get to Anchorage, you’ll need to traverse America’s longest tunnel—2.5 miles shared with one-way auto and rail traffic. In addition to great excursions into the Alaskan frontier, Whittier boasts interesting history that includes the Chugach Indians of Prince William Sound, Russian and American exploration, gold rushers and World War II debarkation. Visitors (700,000) far outnumber residents (200-300). Chances are you’ll be visiting in the summer, and if you were in port long enough, you’d enjoy 22 hours of daylight here! Here are some great options of exploring Whittier and making the most of this sweet Alaskan cruise port.
In town, take a step into the 1940s military structure known as Begich Towers that now serves as a residential complex and houses a grocery store on the first floor. For sure you want to pop into the Prince William Sound Museum which showcases Whittier’s military and rail history and the fascinating construction of the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel.
For eats in town, there are limited but good choices. You are, after all, adjacent to pristine waterways and forests teeming with fish and beasts. Home of the “Left Handed Halibut”, Varly’s Swiftwater Seafood Café serves up shrimp, halibut, rockfish and other only-local seafood specialties hand battered in a secret mix. Warm up with homemade chowders and save room for bread pudding or rhubarb crisp. They also operate an ice cream parlor with traditional offerings as well as hot dogs and pizza. The Wild Catch Café has a reputation for super-friendly service complemented by delicious chili, burgers, fries, salads, fresh halibut and excellent coffee. Where else can you enjoy donuts with a mountain view than a dart into Donut Depot? Korean-owned China Sea Restaurant creatively incorporates the local halibut into a Kung Pao variation.
Best Things to Do in Whittier on an Alaskan Cruise
After a fill-up at one of Whittier’s restaurants, why not try a hike on the 10,000-year-old Portage Trail? Follow in the footsteps of Alaskan natives, Russian fur traders and early settlers. It’s about one mile with a 750-foot elevation gain but, boy, is it worth it. It’s the only official trail with a view of Portage Glacier.
Shore excursions mostly include activities on the water—fishing, kayaking and cruising. While the landscape and seascapes are astonishing, cruise passengers also delight in the wildlife that includes the bald eagle, great gray owl, peregrine falcon, Kittiwake birds, weasels, bears, coyote, puffins and whistling marmots. Visitors in search of humpback and killer whales, sea lions, harbor seals, sea otters and porpoise will also be delighted.
The popularity of fishing is evident in the more than 30 charter fishing boats that operate out of Whittier. In fact, the 15,000-square-mile sound features one of the largest pink salmon runs in the world which feeds the vast ecosystem. Other targets include halibut, lingcod and rockfish. Some top choices for fishing excursions are Crazy Ray’s Adventures, Saltwater Excursions or Lazy Otter Charters that also offer kayak rentals and Blackstone Bay excursions.
Best Things to Do in Whittier on an Alaskan Cruise
You may also take half-day scenic boat tours through Prince William Sound, exploring Passage Canal and Port Wells. Phillips’ Cruises and Tours offers a very popular 4.5 hour cruise of 26 glaciers (count them as you go) on the sound in fast catamarans that trace the path of explorers John Muir and William Dall in 1899. We like that they offer an exclusive no seasickness guarantee! Equally popular Major Marine Tours features smaller vessels hosted by a Chugach National Forest Ranger that tours glaciers, searches for wildlife and includes a hot buffet lunch with local specialties.
Best Things to Do in Whittier on an Alaskan Cruise.Photo Courtesy of Major Marine Tours
We invite you to chill out with CruiseExperts.com on an Alaskan cruise that includes a stop in Whittier—even if it’s a day trip from Anchorage. Now is the time to book, as Alaska cruises for summer 2015 are selling out fast, so to book the Alaska cruise of your choice, call our expert agents today at (888) 804-2784, visit us at www.CruiseExperts.com or email us at info@CruiseExperts.com to find out the best deals for Alaska. To stay updated on the latest hot cruise deals, “Like” us on Facebook or join our Inner Circle.