Whittier Cruise Transfer & Scenic Tour: Five Alaskan Stops

Five Alaskan landmarks in one morning, ship to hotel

A private scenic tour from Whittier that picks you up at your cruise ship, visits five natural and wildlife sites across six to eight hours, and drops you at your Anchorage hotel. The route covers Portage Lake, the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center where you see bears, moose and eagles, Beluga Point overlooking the Turnagain Arm, Potter Marsh with its 130 bird species, and Earthquake Park with views of the surrounding ranges. A live guide speaks English, Korean or Chinese. Bottled water and snacks are included.

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

• Pick up from cruise ship in Whittier
• Walk around Portage Lake and visit Chugach National Forest
• Visit Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
• Stop at Beluga Point scenic overlook
• Explore Potter Marsh wildlife viewing area
• Tour Earthquake Park and learn about 1964 earthquake
• Drop off at Anchorage hotel

The experience

Portage Lake opens the tour with a walk around its shoreline and access to Chugach National Forest if it's open that day. From there, the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center takes up a substantial part of the morning. It's a nonprofit sanctuary for injured, orphaned and endangered animals native to Alaska, and the grounds let you observe bears, moose, caribou, lynx and eagles in settings closer to their natural habitats than a typical zoo. The center's mission centers on rehabilitation and education, so the animals you see are part of an active conservation effort, not just display.

The route then moves to Beluga Point, a scenic overlook on the Seward Highway where the Turnagain Arm stretches out below and the Chugach Mountains rise in the distance. This is the spot where beluga whales surface during certain seasons, though sightings are not guaranteed. Potter Marsh comes next: a 500-acre wildlife area just outside Anchorage with boardwalks and observation decks where over 130 bird species live, and where moose and beavers move through the habitat. The final stop is Earthquake Park in Anchorage itself, a hilltop park with views of the Turnagain Arm and the ranges beyond, built as a memorial to the 1964 Good Friday earthquake. A self-guided walking path explains the earthquake's impact on the landscape and the area's geology.

Pickup happens at your cruise ship in Whittier. Drop-off is at your Anchorage hotel. The vehicle is air-conditioned, and the guide carries bottled water and snacks for the group. The tour runs six to eight hours depending on how long you spend at each stop and traffic between sites.

What’s included

• Pickup at your Whittier cruise ship and drop-off at your Anchorage hotel.
• a live guide in English, Korean or Chinese.
• bottled water and snacks.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• 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 at the ship and drop-off at your hotel means you don't need a rental car or arrange separate transportation between Whittier and Anchorage. The tour handles both the transfer and the sightseeing in a single booking.

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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 see at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center?

The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center is home to bears, moose, caribou, lynx and eagles, among other Alaska native species. The animals are part of the center's rehabilitation program for injured, orphaned and endangered wildlife, so you're observing animals that are receiving active care and conservation support.

Does the tour include transportation from my cruise ship to the hotel?

Yes. Pickup is at your cruise ship in Whittier and drop-off is at your Anchorage hotel, so the entire transfer and tour are covered in one booking.

What is Beluga Point and why is it on the route?

Beluga Point is a scenic overlook on the Seward Highway that faces the Turnagain Arm, a waterway known for dramatic tidal changes and beluga whale sightings. The overlook offers views of the Chugach Mountains and is a popular spot for wildlife viewing and photography.

Is Potter Marsh good for birdwatching?

Potter Marsh is a 500-acre wildlife area that supports over 130 bird species, making it one of the best birdwatching spots near Anchorage. The area also has boardwalks and observation decks for viewing, and moose and beavers are often spotted there as well.