Whittier
Connected to the rest of Alaska by road, rail, and the Alaska Marine Highway, Whittier attracts a large number of visitors during the summer looking for the unspoiled wilderness of water, forests, islands, and glaciers that lie beyond its shores in Prince William Sound.
Whittier has excellent hiking and access to water sports, and due to the influx of travelers, a fair number of interesting shops can be found along the harbor. Travelers will find fishing charters, sighting tour operators, and water taxis available to take visitors into the calm, wildlife-rich waters of Prince William Sound.
Thanks to its location, day cruises out of Whittier are among the best in Alaska. A variety of boats, large and small, depart from the small boat harbor into the rugged and steep fjords that line Prince William Sound. Visit a kittiwake rookery where you can see hundreds of the black-legged birds nesting on sheer cliffs, then explore further to see Steller sea lion haulouts and migratory birds, whales, and other marine wildlife. The stars of the show in Prince William Sound are the area’s many tidewaters and alpine glaciers, including beautiful Blackstone glaciers and Surprise Glacier.
