Top Anchorage Water Tours

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.

We make it easy to see it all in one day! Relax on the coach as you enjoy the beauty of Turnagain Arm. On the cruise get ready to view one of the largest concentration of glaciers in Alaska. Weather, ice conditions and wildlife activity changes daily and our captains may adjust the route to provide the best cruise experience while keeping your safety and comfort a top priority. We take pride in ensuring that your time with us is an enjoyable memory that becomes a favorite highlight of your Alaska vacation. We operate first-class catamarans. Due to their dual hull design, these powerful high-speed catamarans are extremely stable and able to smoothly navigate through the narrow fjords and passages that lead us to the face of massive glaciers. By operating safely and efficiently, Phillips Cruises & Tours provides a comfortable cruise and our No Seasickness Guarantee assures nervous cruisers the confidence that they will enjoy our cruise without any unpleasant effects.

New in 2023! This full-day tour transverses a glacier feed river as it meanders through a glacier-carved valley. It is not uncommon to see a whole host of wildlife that frequents the river system as we paddle our way through the rivers meandering course. You will find salmon swimming under your paddle craft as they migrate to their spawning grounds. Also, expect to see ducks and eagles fly overhead and maybe even find a moose standing in the water eating a meal. This tour starts by paddling across Jim Lake and then a short overland portage into Jim Creek. Finally, exit on the beach of the Knik River that flows from the Knik Glacier, and while there get some pictures with the glacier in the background. The Knik Glacier is the headwaters of the Knik River and is the largest glacier in Southcentral Alaska. From there we will continue downriver to the mouth of the Knik arm of the Cook Inlet.

The opportunities for adventure in Alaska are endless, so visitors on tight schedules might have difficulty fitting in everything. You'll paddle around icebergs in Spencer Glacier Lake and enjoy views of hanging glaciers, cascading waterfalls, and more on a train ride through Grandview, the most scenic section of the Alaska Railroad.

We make it easy to see it all in one day! Relax on the coach as the driver guide narrates while you enjoy the beauty of Turnagain Arm. In Whittier, the Glacier Quest Cruise cruises from the quaint seaside town to glacier-filled Blackstone Bay, a dramatic deep-water fjord where two tidewater glaciers and several alpine glaciers await. Keep an eye out for sea otters, Steller sea lions, bears, mountain goats, whales, and more! You will see several glaciers, including Tebenkof Glacier, named for Mikhail Demitrievich Tebenkof, an outstanding surveyor whose maps were the first charts of Alaska’s waters published in 1852. Northland Glacier rests majestically, clinging to the edge of the towering mountain. Blackstone and Beloit are tidewater glaciers that have carved a steep pathway to reach Prince William Sound’s saltwater. Cruise up close to these massive glaciers to watch for telltale signs of movement signaled by the distinct “pop” of glacier ice calving. Return to Anchorage by coach.

Meet the animals of Alaska on a half-day tour from Anchorage. Travel down the gorgeous Seward Parkway along the Turnagain Arm waterway to viewpoints including Bird Point and Beluga Point. Take in the breathtaking scenery, then continue to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. Go inside the sprawling nature preserve for injured animals to view large land animals, such as fox, lynx, grizzly bear, caribou, wood bison and more up close.

Experience Alaska’s wildlife and landscapes without planning a complex route from Anchorage on your own. This group tour combines glacier views, mountain scenery, wildlife encounters, and historic stops into one well-rounded day through Chugach National Forest and beyond. Along the way, your guide shares local insight and photography tips to help you get more out of the experience and your photos.

Hop aboard a red trolley in downtown Anchorage during this deluxe city tour, focused on local culture and history. See top landmarks including Earthquake Park, Lake Hood Harbor, and the Alaska Railroad Depot. Get off the trolley at designated photo stops and ask your guide questions to learn more. Watch seaplanes land on Lake Hood and keep an eye out for wildlife like moose during the tour.

Learn about Anchorage’s history while cruising around town in a bus outfitted to look like a vintage trolley. Gain unique into the local history and culture of Alaska's most populous city from guides with generational ties to the region. You may even get to spot moose crossing the road and seaplanes descending on Lake Hood and Lake Spenard.

Busy travelers with only one day to spare can see the best of the Alaskan wilderness on a tour that combines a scenic train ride, river float, glacial lake paddle, and a visit to a wildlife conservation center. From taking photos with icebergs to seeing bears at the wildlife center, the mix of activities fulfills visitors’ Alaskan adventure dreams.

Let an insider lead the way around Anchorage on this half-day, small-group tour of the city, featuring stops at must-see attractions including Ship Creek and Alaska Wild Berry Products. Gain a deeper understanding of local culture as you learn the history and folklore behind key Anchorage attractions. With both walking and driving components, you get to stretch your legs and rest. Sample reindeer sausage, smoked salmon, and other local treats.

See the sites from Anchorage to Whittier with just your family and friends on this private tour that includes a cruise transfer. With your group of up to nine people, soak up spectacular views along Turnagain Arm, Bird Point, the Alyeska Scenic Tramway, and Portage Lake. Throughout the day, keep watch for wildlife sightings of Dall sheep, mountain goats, beluga whales, black bears and moose. You set the itinerary and schedule. This tour is available traveling from Whittier to Anchorage as well. Note: Price is per tour, not per guest. Order "1" adult for all ages and group sizes from 1 to 9 guests.

You don't have to travel far from Anchorage to see the abundant Alaskan wildlife. On this half-day small-group tour down the Turnagain Arm of the Gulf of Alaska, learn about the local ecosystem while looking out for wild animals as you’re driven along the scenic road. Board a boat to cruise to the Portage Glacier, and visit the animals at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center.

Travel the Seward Highway without the hassle of renting a car and driving and experience the thrilling Turnagain Arm. Highlights of this small-group tour include Beluga Point for panoramic views and wildlife sightings, Portage Valley with a glacier stop, Turnagain Art Gallery featuring intricate chainsaw carvings, and Potter Marsh, a haven for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts.

Matanuska Glacier is a must-visit when in Anchorage. But, without the right vehicle and equipment, it can be tricky to plan for the adventure. Skip the hassles of logistics and gear with this small-group tour that picks you up in the city and transports you to the glacier, where you can embark on a hike of a few miles.

Set out on a nocturnal adventure in search of the elusive northern lights with this photography-focused tour departing from Anchorage. Get picked up at your hotel and go in search of the aurora borealis with a small group. Learn new photography skills and try your hand at capturing the dazzling light show of the northern lights with your camera.

Discover the beauty of Alaska as you travel from Anchorage to Seward with just your family and friends on this private tour that includes a cruise transfer. With your group of up to nine people, admire the breathtaking scenery along Seward Highway, designated an All American Road. You set the schedule and itinerary, which may include Turnagain Arm, Bird Point, the Alyeska Scenic Tramway and Seward SeaLife Center. Throughout the day, keep watch for wildlife sightings. This tour is available for a transfer from Seward to Anchorage as well. Note: Price is per tour, not per guest. Order "1" adult for all ages and group sizes from 1 to 9 guests.