Blackstone Glacier Small-Group Cruise and Beach Walk
About This Experience
Lazy Otter Charters run the small-boat version of a Blackstone Bay trip, and the difference from the big catamarans is the whole point: fewer people, a naturalist who can actually answer you, and a landing on a remote beach that no large vessel can make.
It is a three-and-a-half hour round trip from Whittier, about an hour of it spent running down to Blackstone Glacier. The fjord walls on the way are the geology lesson — sheer cliffs, wide glacial outwash streams, and the grooves and striations that older ice scoured into the rock.
Partway through, the captain puts the bow onto a remote beach and everyone gets off for fifteen or twenty minutes. Standing on a Prince William Sound shoreline is a genuinely different experience from watching it go past a window, and it is the thing this operator sells that the others cannot.
The boat has a heated inside cabin and a marine toilet; snacks and hot drinks are included. Lunch is not, so eat before you board or bring something. Rain gear is not supplied either, though some is available to rent.
One practical note that matters more here than anywhere: the Whittier tunnel opens toward Whittier once an hour, on the half-hour. For a 1:00 pm departure you need the 12:30 tunnel at the latest, and the operator says so explicitly.
This is a new listing and has not yet collected verified reviews on GetYourGuide. Judge it on what the itinerary names — small group, beach landing, expert narration — and check the operator's live listing before booking.
Highlights
- Small-group boat into Blackstone Bay, not a large catamaran
- A 15–20 minute landing and walk on a remote Prince William Sound beach
- Tidewater glaciers, hanging glaciers and waterfalls along the fjord walls
- Expert narration from captains and deckhands who live and work on the Sound
- Snack and a hot drink included, with a heated cabin aboard
- Free parking in Whittier while you are on the water
What's Included
- ✓ 3.5-hour small-group cruise along Blackstone Bay
- ✓ Tidewater glacier viewing
- ✓ A 15–20 minute remote beach landing and walk
- ✓ Snack and hot drink
- ✓ Expert narration aboard
- ✓ Heated inside cabin and a marine toilet
- ✓ Free parking while on tour
Not Included
- Lunch
- Transport to or from Whittier
- Rain gear (some available to rent)
- Gratuities
What to Bring
- Warm layers and sturdy, warm shoes for the beach landing
- Rain gear — strongly recommended even when the forecast is clear
- A camera and binoculars
Good to Know & Caveats
- The Whittier tunnel opens toward Whittier once an hour, on the half-hour. For a 1:00 pm departure take the 12:30 tunnel at the latest.
- Use the restrooms in the tunnel staging area before you cross — there is only a marine toilet aboard.
- Dress in warm layers with sturdy, warm shoes; rain gear is recommended regardless of forecast.
- Bad weather can force a cancellation or reschedule. If the operator cancels, you can take a full refund.
- Check in at the office at 1 Harbor View Drive before boarding.
- Smoking is not permitted.
Not Suitable For
- Travellers who cannot step from a boat onto an unimproved beach
- Anyone who wants a full lunch included — only a snack and hot drink are provided
Meeting Point
Lazy Otter Charters, 1 Harbor View Drive, Whittier — look for the white building with the green roof beside the harbour loading ramp. Free parking while you are on the tour.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you actually land on a beach?
Yes. Partway through the trip the captain lands the boat on a remote shoreline for a 15–20 minute walk. It is the feature that distinguishes this operator from the large catamaran cruises out of the same harbour.
How is this different from the big Whittier cruises?
Group size and access. Phillips' catamarans carry far more passengers, include a hot meal and cover more distance; this is a small boat with a naturalist aboard, a beach landing, and only a snack and hot drink. It is also the shortest trip on the site at 3½ hours.
What time do I need to be through the tunnel?
The tunnel into Whittier opens on the half-hour, once an hour. The operator asks that you take the 12:30 tunnel at the latest for a 1:00 pm departure — apply the same logic to whatever departure time you book.
Is lunch included?
No. A snack and a hot drink are included; lunch is not. Eat before you board or bring your own.
What happens if the weather is bad?
The operator may cancel or reschedule. If they cancel, you can choose a full refund. GetYourGuide's own free cancellation also applies up to 24 hours before departure.
