Whittier Alaska Cruise Port: Complete Guide

Whittier is a unique Alaska cruise port accessible only by tunnel, serving as a gateway to Prince William Sound. This small town offers glacier viewing, wildlife watching, and kayaking opportunities. Most cruise passengers visit during turnaround days when ships transit between Anchorage and other Alaskan destinations. The port provides access to scenic fjords and outdoor adventures.

Quick Facts

Want to know more about Alaska cruise ports and what to expect at each destination?

Getting Through the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel

The tunnel is the only land route to Whittier and it’s a trip in itself. At 2.5 miles long, it’s the longest highway tunnel in North America and the longest combined vehicle-railroad tunnel on the continent. Here’s what makes it quirky: it’s only wide enough for one direction of traffic at a time, and trains also use the same tunnel.

Traffic alternates every half hour or hour depending on the time of day. You’ll pay a toll ($13 for cars) and then wait at the entrance until your designated time. Miss it and you’re stuck waiting for the next cycle. The tunnel walls are rough-hewn rock and there’s something slightly unnerving about driving through a mountain with train tracks beneath your tires.

• Download the tunnel schedule before you leave cell service areas
• Arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled time since they close the gates early
• Keep your headlights on inside the tunnel
• Don’t stop for photos inside (it’s not allowed and slightly dangerous)

If you’re traveling on a cruise line transfer between Anchorage and Whittier for your departure, the motorcoach drivers handle all the timing logistics.

The Port Itself

Whittier’s cruise terminal is refreshingly straightforward. There’s no massive port complex with dozens of shops and restaurants. Instead you’ll find a functional terminal building with basic services. The port handles both turnaround operations (where passengers embark or disembark) and occasional port-of-call visits.

Most ships using Whittier are sailing Gulf of Alaska cruises between Whittier and Seward or other ports. These one-way itineraries avoid backtracking and let you see more diverse scenery than traditional round-trip cruises.

What’s Actually in Whittier

Let’s be honest: Whittier is tiny. The entire town sits squeezed between mountains and water with limited flat land. About 75% of residents live in Begich Towers, a 14-story former Army barracks that’s now a self-contained community. The building has apartments, a medical clinic, church, grocery store, and the school all under one roof. This setup makes sense when you consider Whittier gets dumped with nearly 200 inches of rain annually and winter snowfall can be extreme.

For cruise passengers, here’s what you’ll actually find:

• Harbor area with views of Prince William Sound
• A handful of restaurants (seafood is your best bet)
• Small gift shops near the terminal
• The Anchor Inn and a couple other hotels if you’re staying overnight
• Ruins of old military buildings from World War II
• Tour operators offering glacier cruises, kayaking, and wildlife tours

You can walk the entire town in about 20 minutes. Bring layers and rain gear even if it looks sunny because weather changes fast.

Shore Excursions and Activities

The real draw of Whittier isn’t the town itself but what you can access from here. Prince William Sound is spectacular with massive tidewater glaciers, abundant wildlife, and fjords that’ll make your jaw drop.

Glacier Cruises

Several operators run boats to nearby glaciers including Blackstone, Surprise, and the impressive 26 Glaciers route. These tours typically last 4-6 hours and you’ll see glaciers calving into the water (if you’re lucky), sea otters, harbor seals, sea lions, and possibly humpback whales or orcas.

Insider tip: Book morning tours when possible. Afternoon tours can get choppy as winds pick up, and if you’re prone to seasickness the calmer morning waters are your friend.

Kayaking Adventures

Paddling in Prince William Sound is incredible but it’s cold water (around 40-50°F) so tours provide dry suits. Most kayak tours are suitable for beginners and guides handle the navigation while you soak in views of glaciers and hopefully spot wildlife.

Fishing Charters

Halibut and salmon fishing charters leave from Whittier’s harbor. The fishing here is genuinely excellent though these tours eat up most of a day. Some cruise lines offer fishing as an excursion but you can also book independently if you’re spending extra time in town.

For those considering nearby Seward as a cruise port, it offers similar glacier and wildlife experiences with a slightly larger town to explore.

Practical Tips for Whittier

Weather Preparation

Pack for cold and wet conditions. Summer temperatures range from 45-65°F and rain is more common than sunshine. Layers, waterproof jacket, and closed-toe shoes are essential. The joke among locals is that Whittier has two seasons: winter and August.

ATM and Services

There’s one ATM in town at the Anchor Inn. Cell service can be spotty depending on your carrier. Credit cards are accepted at most businesses but having some cash is smart for smaller vendors.

Timing Your Visit

If you’re embarking or disembarking in Whittier on a cruise departure from this port, you’ll likely arrive several hours before boarding or have a few hours after disembarking before your transfer leaves. Don’t stress about having tons to do. This is a place to relax, enjoy the scenery, and maybe grab some food.

Wildlife Viewing Right from the Harbor

One thing people don’t realize: you can see sea otters, seals, and eagles right from the harbor area without booking any tours. Walk along the waterfront and watch for otters floating on their backs cracking open shellfish. It’s free entertainment while you wait.

Comparing Whittier to Other Alaska Ports

Whittier functions differently than typical Alaska cruise ports. Places like Juneau, Ketchikan, and Skagway are primarily port-of-call destinations where ships visit for a day. Whittier is mostly a turnaround port where cruises begin or end.

The advantage is immediate access to Prince William Sound’s pristine wilderness without spending a sea day getting there. The downside is there’s minimal town exploration compared to larger ports. If you want the tunnel experience combined with glacier access, Whittier delivers. If you want shopping, dining options, and museums, you’ll be disappointed.

Some cruise itineraries also feature remote Gulf of Alaska ports and wilderness areas accessible only by boat, offering even more isolated experiences than Whittier.

Bonus Tips

• The Begich Towers has a laundromat in the basement that’s open to visitors if you desperately need to wash clothes before or after your cruise
• Varly’s Swiftwater Seafood Cafe near the harbor serves excellent fish and chips with halibut caught locally
• Free parking is available near the harbor if you’re driving yourself
• The bathrooms at the cruise terminal are your best bet for facilities while waiting
• Train enthusiasts can sometimes watch the Alaska Railroad trains entering or exiting the tunnel on the tracks below the road
• Photography is spectacular even in rain and fog which adds moody atmosphere to mountains and water
• If you have mobility issues, know that Whittier has limited sidewalks and some areas are gravel or uneven pavement
• The gift shops near the terminal have decent Alaska-made items and are less touristy than you’d expect
• Black bears occasionally wander into town so keep your distance and never approach wildlife

Should You Stay Overnight in Whittier?

Some travelers add a night before or after their cruise. The Inn at Whittier and Anchor Inn offer comfortable accommodations with harbor views. Staying overnight makes sense if you want to take a full-day fishing charter, avoid rushing through the tunnel, or simply decompress before or after your cruise in a quiet setting.

However Whittier isn’t a destination where you need multiple days. One night is plenty to experience everything unless you’re planning extensive outdoor adventures. Most people find staying in Anchorage more practical since it offers more amenities, dining choices, and activities.

Common Questions and FAQ

Can I walk to town from the cruise terminal?

Yes, it’s about a 5-10 minute walk along the harbor from the terminal to the main part of town. Everything is close and walkable.

Is the tunnel scary to drive through?

It’s dimly lit and narrow but not dangerous. Some people find it claustrophobic but the drive only takes about 6-7 minutes. Keep your eyes on the vehicle ahead and you’ll be fine.

What happens if the tunnel closes due to weather?

This is rare but can happen during severe conditions. Cruise lines and tour operators monitor tunnel status closely and have contingency plans. If you’re driving independently, check the tunnel website or call their information line before traveling.

Are there bears in Whittier?

Black bears do visit occasionally, especially near the edges of town and hiking trails. They’re not aggressive but treat them with respect and keep your distance. Don’t leave food out and follow standard bear safety guidelines.

Can I explore the abandoned military buildings?

Some World War II-era ruins are visible near town but many are on restricted property or structurally unsafe. You can photograph them from public areas but don’t enter abandoned buildings as they’re hazardous.

Is there Uber or taxi service in Whittier?

No rideshare services operate in Whittier. The town is small enough that you won’t need transportation within it. If you need to get to Anchorage, arrange a shuttle or rental car in advance.

What’s the best time to visit Whittier?

The cruise season runs from May through September. July and August have the warmest temperatures and longest daylight hours but also the most visitors. June and September are quieter with good wildlife viewing though weather can be more unpredictable.

Personal Experience

When our cruise ship pulled into Whittier, I wasn’t sure what to expect from this tiny Alaska port town. The approach alone was incredible – we had to drive through the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel to get there the day before our departure, and let me tell you, driving through a 2.5-mile tunnel carved through solid mountain that alternates one-way traffic between cars and trains is something else. The tunnel only opens at scheduled times, so you really have to plan ahead. We made sure to check the schedule online before leaving Anchorage because missing your window means waiting around for the next opening, which can be over an hour.

Once we got to Whittier itself, the town felt wonderfully unusual. Most of the 200-something residents actually live in a single building called Begich Towers, which houses apartments, the school, and even the post office. We had a few hours before boarding, so we walked along the harbor and watched sea otters floating on their backs near the docks. The weather was pretty typical for Whittier – misty and cool even in summer – but that just added to the dramatic scenery with mountains rising straight out of the water. There’s not a ton to do in town since it’s so small, but we grabbed lunch at a local spot serving fresh seafood and poked around the small gift shops near the cruise terminal. It’s definitely not your typical tourist town, and that’s exactly what makes it memorable.