Prince William Sound

February 1, 2010

Written by Michelle McKinley, Anchorage reporter for RateitAnchorage

Anyone visiting Anchorage, Alaska is likely to want to spend at least a little time enjoying the outdoor beauties that the state is so famous for. One of the most magical locales for sightseeing is Prince William Sound where daily cruises will take visitors through wildlife filled waterways where glaciers and sea life rule the day.

There are a number of different tour and cruise lines for the Prince William Sound outings that so many people seek out in Anchorage. Most of the tours will be crafted around finding ideal viewings and spotting the bears, whales, and otters that dot the landscape and ice floes in the area. Most of the crew members on these cruises are expected to carry degrees in related fields such as geology or marine biology to make it easier to showcase the different natural landmarks and wildlife sightings you are sure to enjoy in the area.

Additionally, there are off-boat activities that many tour lines will offer, such as kayaking expeditions into the waterways of the sound. There are also chances to disembark and walk across the moss and other flora of the icebergs. In addition to private ferries, there are also a number of ferry tours that operate in the region – providing a wide array of lower cost, easier access runs through the sound. The actual length of a tour can range from 2-6 hours for a local ferry to 3-5 days for a cruise experience.

In terms of what you will find, the most famous destinations in Prince William Sound include Harriman Glacier and College Fjord along with the Columbia Glacier, which regularly calves into the sound – creating spectacular effects. Wildlife you will likely encounter includes sea lions, otters, whales, orcas, and on land you are likely to see everything from bears to wolves and foxes. Most tours will work to have a wide array of food, even for short tours, just to keep everyone comfortable. The shorter ferries will often charge for the food, but if you plan on experiencing a longer, more diverse cruise experience, you can often get inclusive meals in the package. Tour guides are also available on most trips into the sound, providing expert insight and guidance on what you will see.

For many people, the experience of visiting Alaska is enough in and of itself. However, for anyone that visits the great northern state for the experience of seeing the wildlife and untouched wilderness that few other locations in the United States can offer, Prince William Sound is one of the only truly pristine ways to do so. From the most basic of ferry tours to the most elaborate of glacier cruises, Prince William Sound is a national treasure that should be experienced by anyone who visits Anchorage.