Be on the lookout for Kittiwake bird rookery and waterfalls near Whittier cruise port!

Hi there!

The Kittiwake is a type of seabird that you can see when you go to Whittier.

Whether or not you’re an avid bird watcher, it’s a sight to be seen!

There are soooo many little birds that dot the cliffs, and you might see tons of them floating (swimming?!) in the water too!

As with all wildlife watching in Alaska, you’ll see them better if you have binoculars. Or else they literally look like white dots!

So if wildlife is a priority for you, be sure to bring binoculars!

And, not only will you see tons of white dots, you will most certainly hear them too!

The Kittiwake Rookery is along the cliffs almost directly across from the Whittier cruise port.

So this is something to be on the lookout for at sailway. Since the cruise ship won’t get that close, this is why you’ll want binoculars!

If you do want to get a little bit closer, the Kittiwake Rookery is yet another reason to do a Princess William Sound boat excursion! (The big reason to do it is for the glaciers!)

And not only will you see the little kittiwake birds, there are amazing waterfalls right next to the kittiwake rookery too!

Below are tips for seeing the Kittiwake Rookery!

Tips for seeing the Kittiwake Rookery in Whittier Alaska

There is a Kittiwake rookery across from the Whittier cruise port.

Now, this doesn’t mean that it’s easy to see the Kittiwake rookery from the cruise ship, but it does mean that you can do tours from Whittier to go and see it!

At the kittiwake rookery, you will see sooo many white little birds!

There’s a good chance you will see them on the cliffs.

There’s a good chance you will see them in the water!

There’s a good chance you will see them flying around!

Look for the little white dots!

You will also HEAR them!

There are waterfalls right near the rookery.

The Kittiwake rookery is right near magnificent waterfalls!

There are lots of waterfalls along the cliffs, and actually this is just one of many!

And actually if you look carefully you will see several waterfalls flowing off the cliffs!

Do a Prince William Sound boat tour!

Because of the location of the kittiwake rookery and the Whittier boat harbor, all boat tours out of Whittier will pass by the kittiwake rookery.

The Whittier marina is right next to where the cruise ship docks.

If you do the 26 Glacier tour or Glacier Quest tour with Phillips Cruises, the kittiwake rookery is included as part of the tour.

And the best part about it is that your Prince William Sound boat tour will be about more than just the birds!

Yes, the best part is that you will be able to see many glaciers!

The kittiwake rookery stop is actually the very last part of the tour.

You’ll sail right on by it at the start of the 26 glacier tour and Glacier Quest tour, but on the way back right before you get back to where the tour started, the boat will go over towards the kittiwake rookery so you can get closer to the birds and to the waterfalls!

Do the Kittiwake kayak tour.

You can also go kayaking to the kittiwake rookery and waterfalls with Alaska Sea Kayakers, and the birds may be flying all around you!

HAPPY SEEING THE KITTIWAKE ROOKERY IN WHITTIER!

I saw the kittiwake rookery in May and September of 2023. Your experience may vary!