Portage Glacier Cruise Experience 1 hr drive from Anchorage
Description
Just an hour’s scenic drive from Anchorage along the breathtaking Seward Highway, Portage Glacier offers an unforgettable Alaskan adventure. Board the M/V Ptarmigan, a custom-built sightseeing vessel designed for optimal glacier viewing, including a heated cabin with expansive windows and an open-air top deck. During the one-hour cruise, you’ll glide across the waters of Portage Lake, journeying past cascading waterfalls and steep mountain cliffs. Get up close to the towering wall of Portage Glacier, and with a bit of luck, witness the thrilling sight (and sound!) of calving ice. A U.S. Forest Service ranger provides expert narration, sharing fascinating insights into the area's history, geology, and wildlife. This budget-friendly and family-friendly tour operates daily from mid-May to mid-September, with five departures to fit your schedule. This is the perfect stop to experience one of the state's most iconic glaciers.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Cruise across the icy waters of Portage Lake aboard the purpose-built M/V Ptarmigan, specially designed to navigate glacial conditions, as you journey toward the dramatic face of Portage Glacier. As you glide past floating icebergs and cascading waterfalls, enjoy panoramic views from the vessel’s open-air deck or comfortable indoor cabin while engaging narration brings the surrounding landscape to life. This scenic cruise offers a rare opportunity to get up close to one of Alaska’s most iconic glaciers, where you can witness its towering blue ice and the ever-changing natural beauty of this remarkable environment.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Wheelchair accessible (limited space, notify in advance)
- Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult
- No outside alcohol or smoking onboard
- Service animals allowed, pets are not
- Be sure to bring your camera or binoculars so you don’t miss a thing
- Cancellations must be made at least 24 hours before your scheduled departure time to receive a full refund.
Reviews(23)
Nice and short cruise with great views . Get to see portage glacier, beautiful waterfalls, and floating ice along with all the mountain views
The check-in process at the center was easy but in order to get to the boat you have to drive with your car to the area from where the boat takes off. The directions are not clear, got lost, almost didn’t make it to the tour. They should use a shuttle system from the center to the boat location to ensure that no one gets lost. Otherwise the tour was quite pleasant. Beautiful views.
Spectacular views, and great host! George was amazing, funny and informative. Would recommend and take another cruise in the future.
Outstanding tour guides/staff. Spectacular views. Our family enjoyed this immensely, in spite of the rain.
🩷 it was fun although I think u should change the speakers in the bottom cause I couldn’t really understand what your guide was saying unless I was on the top deck.. but it was too cold to stay up there
The boat pickup was easy to locate. Boat was clean. Staff were pleasant. Safety was addressed clearly. Plenty of outdoor and indoor seating available. The excursion was very interesting! Spent a good amount of time at the glacier before heading back. Really enjoyed the trip. Glad we did it. Worth the price.
It was very educational. We really enjoyed the views. It was fun and exciting. I would definitely recommend!
It was rainy and cold which took away from the experience. The boat was very clean and the crew were knowledgeable and friendly.
The views are amazing and the crew were so helpful. George was our narrator and he was hilarious. I usually get sea sick and I couldn’t even tell. Definitely a must to do.
Up close to Portage glacier, beautiful views, smooth cruise… for the price and one hour is pretty decent to me. Just enough time to see and enjoy everything! Well worth booking this trip!
