Anchorage Portage Glacier Cruise Review: An Alaskan Wildlife Tour

So, are you pondering an Alaska adventure, and that too with a dash of glaciers and quite a bit of wildlife? It is that Portage Glacier Cruise in Anchorage is, arguably, something you really want to check out. We went there last summer, and let me tell you, that experience was really quite memorable. It is not just a boat ride; actually it’s an excursion straight into, almost, Alaska’s heart.

Getting to Portage Glacier: The Scenic Drive

Before you even set foot on the boat, basically that trip to Portage Glacier is quite an event in itself. Just picture this: you’re rolling down the Seward Highway, with views that are very breathtaking opening up at, like your every turn. The highway, as a matter of fact, follows the coastline, and on one side you’ve got this, you know, very stunning Turnagain Arm, and on the other are these looming mountains.

The drive, too it’s almost, like a peek into a postcard. That arm is known for its bore tides, so, just in case, if you’re there at just the proper time, you could possibly spot a really fast-moving wave zooming down the inlet. What a sight that might be, as I was saying! You see, we paused at several pull-offs, just a little, for photos. Those spots are there too so you too can stretch those legs and to, naturally, soak it all up. Really be sure to keep that eye out for Beluga whales; sometimes, they’re just swimming in those waters.

Aboard the M/V Ptarmigan: Ready for Adventure

After a short bit of, maybe about a mile long hike from that Begich, Boggs Visitor Center (which, just in case, by the way, that is actually worth exploring itself), we got at the shore of Portage Lake. Then, like, there it was, that M/V Ptarmigan, waiting for all those passengers. You get on this boat, so, as you can imagine, that excitement begins to grow.

The boat actually had ample seating indoors and out, just so, too it’s almost, that you could stay cozy very irrespective of that Alaskan weather. Actually, it was pretty roomy, allowing everybody to catch, like your amazing glimpses. Also, too, I just loved, like your onboard commentary; that guide basically pointed out diverse highlights and shared basically a bit of that area’s history and that glacier’s features. So, in some respects, the fact that it actually felt as though you’re really getting an informed perspective on that whole landscape just made everything even more, you know, stunning.

Witnessing the Glacier: A Majestic Sight

Alright, here is basically where all the magic really began. The boat begins to head out, getting close to Portage Glacier. When it came in sight, it basically leaves that jaw kind of dropped. This enormous, frosty blue thing really rose up, like your old huge monument. Arguably, I had glimpsed glaciers, you know, before, yet there was still anything basically really special about glimpsing that Portage Glacier this close.

It is almost that those shades of icy blue were incredibly breathtaking. I mean really. Too it’s almost, there actually were a couple of seals reclining at, actually almost floating chunks of ice close by too it’s almost the glacier’s face, that, that made it even cooler. Actually the captain sailed very slowly, I mean really allowing everyone, just a little, so, too it’s almost, that you possibly can actually secure amazing photographs and, of course, merely consume that awe-inspiring view. Really the stillness broken basically by that faint sound from that glacier, that actually served a bit like this delicate reminder that actually this natural wonder actually stayed quite alive and always shifting.

Wildlife Encounters: Nature’s Gifts

It really wasn’t just around glaciers. That cruise provides you an opportunity to potentially spot wildlife, which really added some additional thrill into that day. As I was saying, throughout that boat ride, everyone basically had their peepers peeled actually hoping to catch a glance of regional animals. Arguably we weren’t disillusioned. Very few harbor seals were reclining on those ice floes, looking truly peaceful, or so it appeared.

Also, many various people additionally told us they glimpsed mountain goats high within those hills. Granted, that day was mainly great, so we actually managed basically to glimpse these cute otters fooling around in that water. Moments much like this truly brought in that voyage for that reason because of how genuine basically each event really felt. Okay. So in some respects seeing actually these animals with regard basically of their habitat, just a bit, made me experience especially attached to basically this spot.

Tips for Your Portage Glacier Cruise

If you’re preparing to deal with that Portage Glacier trip, you will find several little details, that can, it seems to me, improve your experience, as I was saying. Initially, I strongly suggest booking that voyage ahead of time. Specially in the top season, excursions possibly could replenish rapidly, so it really is often more smart really to secure any of your chairs previously. It seems that way at least.

In view of that the conditions possibly will basically be unforeseen (that actually is Alaska in your case!), dress a great deal! Dress very properly indeed, actually, basically with many levels and you, like your waterproof jacket. It will actually feel considerably more warm indoors on that boat, yet if ever you hope really to devote period really on that outside decking (as I actually propose undertaking!), it really is important you really stay snug, basically actually when it really is windy.

Other Activities Around Portage Glacier

Oh, that’s actually not about it; as a matter of fact there definitely are lots of options within the vicinity of basically Portage Glacier just so you will develop just the the full morning within that entire spot. We halted at this visitor facility where they also got that exhibit within the icebergs. This facility displayed any local ecosystem not to mention really furnished considerable data based in that geology as well as biology associated with regions round there.

Just like for those actually looking after basically slightly activity (basically much like anyone like myself), lots of treks start around the Portage Location basically that give just the superb potential really to look at regional area at bottom. Very carefully consider making Portage simply element on even more wide excursion round that Kenai Fjords with what can come down to you as many much various landscapes not to mention pet basically should possibly attract even many just for ones entire time with South central Alaska as soon basically basically ever it could for some individual’s one small visit that includes those arctic destinations particularly.