Whittier tour companies to consider (local Alaska operators!)

Hi there!

Whittier is a small town so there aren’t a whole lot of tour companies to choose from.

First, here is a list of tour companies if you’re looking to do an excursion in Whittier.

Then, there are some more company options if you’re looking for a transfer between Whittier and Anchorage before or after a cruise.

I have been to Whittier cruise port to start a cruise, to end a cruise, and as part of back-to-back cruises, so I know what it’s like to do a cruise in all of the situations that will bring you to Whittier if you are doing an Alaska cruise on Princess or Holland America! (I was on Princess cruise ships, but I imagine it will be the same for Holland America!)

Here are tour companies to consider!

 

 

There are partner websites included on this blog. I may earn a commission.

 

1. Phillips Cruises

Phillips Cruises is the popular tour company for glacier boat tours in Whittier. The Phillips Cruises tours literally start right next to the cruise ship, making this a very convenient glacier tour!

 

Whittier tours you need to consider through Phillips Cruises:

• 26 Glacier cruise
• Glacier Quest cruise

 

Read the Viator reviews of the tours:

• 26 glacier tour on viator
• Glacier Quest tour on viator
• 26 Glacier cruise day trip from Anchorage (transfer included)

 

Read the getyourguide reviews of the tours:

• 26 glacier tour on getyourguide
• Glacier Quest tour on getyourguide

 

Read more reviews:

• Phillips Cruises on google maps

 

See more about the difference between the 26 glacier cruise and the Glacier Quest cruise by reading my post about Whittier excursions.

 

🤓 More for your trip: You can make it a train + Phillips Cruises boat tour kind of day, whether you are starting or ending your cruise in Whittier, or making it a day trip to Whittier from Anchorage! The Alaska Railroad is explained below.

 

 

2. Alaska Sea Kayakers

Alaska Sea Kayakers is the tour company for kayaking in Whittier.

 

Whittier tours you need to consider through Alaska Sea Kayakers:

• Passage Canal kayak tour
• Kittiwake kayak tour

 

Read the reviews of the tours:

• Alaska Sea Kayakers on google maps

 

 

3. Glacier Jetski Adventures

Glacier Jetski Adventures is one of the tour companies that offers jet skiing in Whittier.

 

Whittier tour you need to consider through Glacier Jetski Adventures:

• Blackstone Bay Jetski Tour

 

Read the reviews:

• Glacier Jetski Adventures on google maps

 

 

4. Alaska Wild Guides

Alaska Wild Guides is another one of the tour companies that offers jet skiing in Whittier.

 

Whittier tour you need to consider through Alaska Wild Guides:

• Glacier Jet Ski Tour

 

Read the reviews:

• Alaska Wild Guides on google maps

 

 

Companies for transfers between Whittier and Anchorage

Next, here are some companies if you are looking for a transfer from Whittier to Anchorage after your cruise, or a transfer from Anchorage to Whittier before your cruise.

 

 

5. Big Swig Tours

Big Swig Tours is a tour company that offers brewery tours out of Anchorage. They also offer a brewery tour in combination with a transfer from Whittier to Anchorage.

 

Whittier to Anchorage tour you need to consider through Big Swig Tours:

• Alaska crafted tour and cruise transfer from Whittier

 

Read the reviews:

• Cruise ship transfer from Whittier to Anchorage
• Day trip from Anchorage (if you’re staying a few days in Anchorage)
• Big Swig Tours on google maps

 

 

6. ACT Big Bus

ACT is a popular shuttle for cruise ship transfers between Whittier and Anchorage. You can do a direct transfer, or you can make it a combo that includes a stop along the way.

 

Whittier to Anchorage transfers you need to consider through ACT Big Bus:

• Whittier to Anchorage Bus Narrated Direct Transfer
• Whittier to Anchorage Bus Tour with Wildlife Park
• Whittier Anchorage All Day Bus Tour

The “wildlife park” is the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center.

See all of the ACT Big Bus Whittier Anchorage transfer options

 

Read the reviews of the transfer:

• ACT Big Bus on google maps

 

 

7. Salmon Berry Tours

Salmon Berry Tours is a tour company out of Anchorage.

 

Whittier to Anchorage tour you need to consider through Salmon Berry Tours:

• Whittier to Anchorage cruise transfer and tour

 

Read the reviews:

• Cruise ship transfer and tour from Whittier to Anchorage
• Salmon Berry Tours on google maps

 

 

8. Alaska Railroad

Alaska Railroad is described as a “state-owned corporation that is operated like a private business.”

So this isn’t a tour company, but you can have a fun Alaska experience through Alaska Railroad if you will be going to Whittier! You can take the train between Whittier and Anchorage.

It’s reasonable to make it a combo thing of the 26 glacier tour + train! Phillips Cruises coordinates the 26 glacier tour with the train timings. If you’re starting or ending your cruise in Whittier, you can also do luggage storage with them for free while you are on the tour.

If you have a cruise that’s starting in Whittier, then you can take the train from Anchorage to Whittier on the morning that your cruise departs. (Then you can do the 26 glacier tour before you get on the cruise ship! I had a cruise that started in Whittier, and I did this! No issues. It was perfect.)

If you have a cruise that’s ending in Whittier, then you can take the train from Whittier to Anchorage in the evening that your cruise arrives in Whittier. (You can do the 26 glacier tour while you wait for the train! I also had a cruise that ended in Whittier, and I did this too. Also perfect.)

And if you’re staying in Anchorage, you can make a day trip to Whittier by train!

 

The train that goes between Whittier and Anchorage is the Glacier Discovery train. Plan your Whittier train trip:

• Train schedule
• Cost of train tickets
• Availability calendar

 

More Alaska cruise port tours: Juneau | Ketchikan

 

HAPPY CHOOSING A TOUR COMPANY IN WHITTIER!