Whittier cruise tour: Wildlife & mountain stops from ship

See bears, moose and beluga whales without arranging your own transport

A guided tour from Whittier that picks you up at the cruise ship and visits five stops across the Anchorage area: Portage Lake and the Chugach National Forest, the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, Beluga Point overlooking the Turnagain Arm, Potter Marsh for birdwatching, and Earthquake Park. The guide speaks English, Korean or Chinese. Bottled water and snacks are included, and the tour ends with drop-off at your Anchorage hotel or airport.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center1h 30m · entry included
2. Earthquake Park30m

Scenic tour from Whittier to Anchorage

• Walk around Portage Lake
• Visit Chugach National Forest info center
• Tour Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
• Stop at Beluga Point overlook
• Explore Potter Marsh wildlife area
• Visit Earthquake Park and walking tour
• Drop off at Anchorage hotel or airport

The experience

Portage Lake and the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center anchor the first part of the day. The center rehabilitates injured and orphaned animals native to Alaska (bears, moose, caribou, lynx and eagles), and lets you observe them in habitats designed to match their natural surroundings. You walk the grounds at your own pace and learn how the center's work supports wildlife conservation across the state.

The route then moves to three scenic overlooks and viewing areas. Beluga Point sits on the Seward Highway above the Turnagain Arm, a waterway famous for dramatic tidal swings and beluga whale sightings. Potter Marsh, just outside Anchorage, spans over 500 acres of boardwalks and observation decks where more than 130 bird species live alongside moose and beavers. Earthquake Park closes the tour with views of the Turnagain Arm and the surrounding mountains, plus a self-guided walk through the area shaped by the 1964 Good Friday earthquake.

The tour runs six to seven hours total. An air-conditioned vehicle handles all the driving between stops, and your guide provides context about the region's natural and cultural history. Drop-off happens at your Anchorage hotel or the airport, depending on where you need to be.

What’s included

• Pickup from your cruise ship in Whittier.
• bottled water and snacks.
• an air-conditioned vehicle for all driving between stops.
• drop-off at your Anchorage hotel or airport.
• all fees and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to1d before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Chinese and Korean

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Alaska Horizon Adventure

Is this one for you?Pickup straight from your cruise ship in Whittier means you don't need to arrange transport or navigate to a meeting point: the tour finds you. If you're staying in Anchorage or flying out the same day, the flexible drop-off at your hotel or airport settles the logistics for the rest of your day.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Korean and Chinese.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What animals will I actually see at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center?

The center is home to bears, moose, caribou, lynx and eagles, among others. These are injured, orphaned or endangered animals in the center's care, so sightings are reliable. You're not waiting and hoping like you would in the wild.

Can I see beluga whales from Beluga Point?

Beluga Point overlooks the Turnagain Arm, a waterway known for frequent beluga whale sightings, though spotting them depends on the season and tidal conditions when you visit.

Is Potter Marsh good for birdwatching?

Potter Marsh is a vital habitat for over 130 bird species and includes hiking trails, boardwalks and observation decks built for watching them. You may also spot moose and beavers in the marsh.

Where does the tour pick me up and drop me off?

Pickup happens at your cruise ship in Whittier. Drop-off is at your Anchorage hotel or the airport, whichever you choose.

How much walking is involved?

The tour suits all physical fitness levels. You walk around Portage Lake and the Chugach National Forest information center, move through the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center grounds at your own pace, and take a self-guided walk at Earthquake Park. The other stops are viewpoints you can enjoy from the vehicle or short walks to overlooks.