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
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 107 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Beckey_V, Sep 2026
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.
Karen_C, Sep 2026
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
Alice_L, Sep 2026
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.
Michelle_F, Sep 2026
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.
Nikitha_K, Sep 2026
We had an amazing experience on this cruise . Very informative and the crew is very friendly and entertaining !
Reg_F, Sep 2026
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.
Roxana_T, Sep 2026
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.
Stephen_G, Sep 2026
Really fun trip
Narrated with information about the glacier, and a chance to get as close as allowed. Highly recommend.
Adam_T, Sep 2026
It’s a very nice and short trip! Great crew working on the boat! Would definitely recommend if you are in vacation in anchorage.
Greg_C, Sep 2026
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
Jacqueline_S, Aug 2026
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.
Donald_W, Aug 2026
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.
Kelly_R, Aug 2026
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.
Tonya_B, Aug 2026
You could not understand the gentleman talking, therefore we got no information about the glacier. A good picture taking event
shana_j, Aug 2026
Very laid back, family friendly excursion. Snacks on board, but they only take plastic, but you can tip with cash!!
Ronald_D, Aug 2026
The Boat gets closer than you would expect.
Well narrated. Friendly staff. Best deal on a Glacier tour for the money.
Gloria_A, Aug 2026
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!
Alayna_B, Aug 2026
We didn’t have great weather but we still had a wonderful time and it was beautiful! I would definitely recommend this cruise!
Albert_T, Aug 2026
Saw Portage Glacier on a fantastic sunny day, spectacular scenery just like in pictures. Friendly and helpful staff throughout the ship. Thank you for a wonderful experience.
Joseph_C, Aug 2026
The tour was absolutely breathtaking, a must do if you're in Anchorage Alaska. The staff were so professional and made sure that you knew they were there for you. Nathan our tour guide, his play-by-play description and information were awesome. Our captain drove us right up to the best pictures that we could ever imagine. This tour was well worth the drive, don't question it. Thanks to everyone at the cruise line.
Fran_C, Aug 2026
You need to book the tour that includes transportation from Anchorage if you don't have a car. My error. Cruise has kindly reimbursed me. Excellent customer service. Thank you.
Rozina_C, Aug 2026
It was great experience, I loved it. I would do it again if I ever visit Alaska again. I had a fun time
Joseph_A, Aug 2026
Easy but worth it. Great side trip and staff were friendly and accommodating. Up close to glacier without having to go through open ocean!!
Alleia_G, Aug 2026
Beautiful, scenic, peaceful, easy to navigate and a pleasant experience overall. Would love to do it again.
Chris_R, Aug 2026
The boat was very clean and roomy. The crew was courteous and friendly. The views of the glacier were exceptional.
Michael_D, Aug 2026
Dress appropriately. Binoculars should be considered. Great tour, very informative. We went in the summer and it was warm until we got close to the glacier and it got REALLY REALLY COLD!
fatkitty, Aug 2026
Great tour. Be sure to bring your sweatshirt! The glacier was stunning and beautiful and the drive from Anchorage was breathtaking.
John_F, Aug 2026
Typical tourist excursion. Expect crowds and lots of people from cruises and land tours. Sailing up to the glacier was nice and the crew/staff were very friendly. Overall this was our least favorite activity during our stay in Anchorage, although it was good.
Brian_S, Aug 2026
My family is not a huge boat cruise family so this was a quick cruise to see a glacier and reasonably priced. We enjoyed our time!
Lyncha_J, Aug 2026
Great cruise. Great picture opportunities and very knowledgeable about the landmarks. Would definitely recommend.
Loved It.
From $59.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
Compare Similar Experiences
Current
Portage Glacier Cruise Experience 1 hr drive from Anchorage
105
1 hour
Free Cancellation
From
$59.00
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
- Denali 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