Portage Glacier Cruise Experience 1 hr drive from Anchorage
Recommended by 93% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Anchorage, USA
+3
- 1 hour (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Explore our promoted experiences
Overview
What's Included
- Admission Fee - Admission fee
- 1-hour cruise on Portage Lake
- Up-close views of Portage Glacier
- Heated indoor cabin + open-air viewing deck
- Onboard narration
- English-language tour
- Food & beverages (available for purchase on board the M/V Ptarmigan)
- Bring your own camera or binoculars so you don’t miss a thing
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- 1500 Byron Glacier Rd, Girdwood, AK 99587, USA
Please check in 5–10 minutes before your scheduled departure at the queue area in front of the M/V Ptarmigan.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
1
Portage Glacier
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Infants must sit on laps
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- 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.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 144 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.7
based on 119 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
The weather was not good, rain, clouds and mist made it difficult to see many of the things they tried to show and discussed. That said, they did a good job trying to work with the weather conditions. The crew was very friendly and helpful. The best part was idling near the glacier waiting to ice to fall. While we did not see any ice drop, we did see a very small landslide. We will take a second trip next time we are in Anchorage.
Beautiful glacier views and a relaxing cruise! The crew was friendly, the scenery was incredible, and getting up close to Portage Glacier was such a memorable experience. Definitely worth the trip from Anchorage! 🧊🏔️
It was kind of cold when we were by the glacier, so dress warm. We enjoyed the awesome views from the top desk of the boat.
The cruise is short but sweet, but maybe a little bitter-sweet too knowing that the glacier is retreating so rapidly. The crew was very nice. Our narrator Jo had all the info and kept a good balance of information and fun but while also allowing us time to enjoy the sites. The crew helped take photos of us with a life ring. And they had retrieved some of the glacial ice from the water on earlier cruises so I was able to touch the glacier indirectly. There are snacks and soft drinks on board. There was plenty of parking.
My best friend and I had a wonderful time. So much knowledge and fun facts were shared. The weather was sunny, light wind and fairly clear skies. Oh, and not to be forgotten. Chad was so kind, patient and a good sense if humor.
The info speaker was pretty hilarious too.
This will be my go to for out of state visitors. It was the best little tour I've been on.
Many thanks to the whole crew.
A perfect morning with incredible views of the glacier. We had a wonderful experience and highly recommend!!
Well organized and started on time. It is so beautiful that it is hard to pay attention to the information we discussed about the glaciers. I recommend that you mention beforehand that you will be asking for tips at the end, that way you can be prepared to bring cash.
Except for the rain everything was great although it’s a long drive for a 1 hour tour. Seeing the extent to which the glacier ha receded is amazing and absolute proof that the climate is changing.
Amazing and fun! The boat ride is not only informative and incredibly scenic, but the crew adds a fun twist with plenty of humor along the way.
Getting up close to the glacier is truly an incredible experience and one that shouldn’t be missed. Beautiful scenery, lots of laughs, and a memorable way to experience Alaska. Highly recommend!
Such a wonder tour! The crew was so knowledgeable and answered all our questions. So glad we booked this. Beautiful views and a wonderful time!
Perfect length for teens who just want to play video games. Boat has snacks and pop. Has some educational things to look at as you go down the waterway. The lady giving the informative talk is very hard to hear in the bottom of boat. If you go to the top of boat you can hear PERFECTLY. we went early Sept where weather was low 60’s but on the boat it was in the 30’s. I brought backpack with ear coverings, hat, gloves, and coat. I waterproofed our sneakers and brought a cheap poncho and glad I did because it rained the whole time up there. I DID NOT want to go up top but my kid made me and IT WAS SOOOOO WORTH IT!! The staff was super friendly and offered to take pics for everyone which was awesome! The scenery was amazing. I must be honest that the “glacier” was just snow that came down the mountain and not really a glacier BUT it was white/blue and absolutely stunning so we didn’t care. the captain looks like a true salty fisherman and is definitely picture worthy! He stayed near the snow for about 15 minutes so we all had time to snap away. We went out and back. Super simple. Quick, but long enough. Bring a selfie stick, poncho, binoculars to see top of mountains, and charge that camera! Prior to this we stopped at the Alaska animal conservation which is only 15 minutes away. It was Nice but the food prices were INSANE so bring ur own snacks. ($10 for hotdog and $6 for a capri sun juice pouch😳)
10/10 experience it did not disappoint at all!! Very informative and the staff was extremely friendly! Glacier was 10/10
Great tour, knowledgeable staff. We enjoyed it and would highly recommend the experience! Our kids (13 and 6) said it was one of their fav parts of our trip.
Experience was breathtaking.
Be cautious of booking through Viat9r. 3 times we have arrived only to be told they hadn't idea what excursion we spoke of. I won't book through them again
Even though it was raining, was still exciting seeing the glacier and taking a short ride on the boat. My boys loved being able to live around and the sounds of the rocks falling was their favorite part.
This was a great experience for the family. We were able to enjoy some alaska scenery. But didn't spend the entire day. Everybody was friendly and very knowledgeable about the glacier and answered all of our questions.
We had an amazing experience on this cruise . Very informative and the crew is very friendly and entertaining !
This is a small glacier that has receded considerably in recent decades; the boat cruise is the only good way for most people to see it, and the pilot and host do an excellent job of showing it. We were blessed with a pleasant, sunny day. Surrounding scenery adds a lot, to the glacier per se.
The tour is very nice and the crew very friendly, it lasts about 1 hour and the scenery is beautiful. Just beware if you use Uber to get there, is nearly impossible to contact any Uber on the way back so schedule transportation accordingly.
Really fun trip
Narrated with information about the glacier, and a chance to get as close as allowed. Highly recommend.
It’s a very nice and short trip! Great crew working on the boat! Would definitely recommend if you are in vacation in anchorage.
Very nice good information about the glacier, how big, and how the lake was formed. The staff were all very nice they were nice and talked to everyone. Made us feel important and made sure we were taken care of with the safety things and all the history.
I would suggest a few more signs to get to the boat dock.
Thank
You Julie
It was very underwhelming with the glacier. We expected more from the glaciers than what we saw. The ride and the meeting of new people was pleasant and enjoyed the crisp air scenary.
This is a perfect way to learn more about the glaciers found throughout Alaska while getting up-close with the Portage Glacier. The ship was quite clean and comfortable and the captain and crew did a great job of showing off the lake and the glacier.
It’s a quick one hour boat ride, but it is definitely worth the price. The guys on the boat were very nice and knowledgeable about the area. The best thing about this boat ride was all the beautiful waterfalls, glaciers etc.
You could not understand the gentleman talking, therefore we got no information about the glacier. A good picture taking event
Very laid back, family friendly excursion. Snacks on board, but they only take plastic, but you can tip with cash!!
The Boat gets closer than you would expect.
Well narrated. Friendly staff. Best deal on a Glacier tour for the money.
All the staff were very friendly. They would take photos at will! Gave a little extra with the water fall and the ice to hold!
We didn’t have great weather but we still had a wonderful time and it was beautiful! I would definitely recommend this cruise!
Member Pricing
From
$56.05
per personWas $59.00(-5%)
up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
Compare Similar Experiences
Current
Member Pricing
Portage Glacier Cruise Experience 1 hr drive from Anchorage
119
1 hour
Free Cancellation
From
$59.00
$56.05
5% savings
Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
Attractions in Anchorage, USA
- Denali National Park and Preserve Tours & Tickets
- Tony Knowles Coastal Trail Tours & Tickets
- Chugach State Park Tours & Tickets
- Earthquake Park Tours & Tickets
- Prince William Sound Tours & Tickets
- Mount Alyeska Tours & Tickets
- Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center Tours & Tickets
- Portage Glacier Tours & Tickets
- Turnagain Arm Tours & Tickets
- Cook Inlet Tours & Tickets
- Lake Hood Tours & Tickets
- Alaska Railroad Tours & Tickets