11 Reasons to Visit Whittier, Alaska (Don't Miss This)

Whittier is considered the wettest city in the United States with an average annual rainfall of 16 feet and an average annual snowfall of 20 feet - this also makes it one of the most beautiful areas in Alaska (in my personal opinion of course). With beautiful views, lots of wildlife, and cozy, delicious places to eat - there's plenty of reasons you should. visit Whittier while in Alaska.

My Essential Alaska Travel Resources :
There are a lot of travel companies out there, but some are better than others. These are my favorite websites and resources to help plan an incredible trip to the 49th State.

For flights, I recommend using WayAway or Hopper to compare the cheapest dates to travel to Alaska.

Car rentals, arguably the best way to see Alaska, are best through Discover Cars!

I always use AGODA for hotels. They have an easy-to-use platform where you can compare the best rates.

To keep cell phone service if you're traveling internationally, I always use Airalo’s easy to purchase eSIM’s (no installation required).

For fun things to do, I recommend Viator to find the best tours in the area, otherwise Klook also does the trick.

Just in case, Safetywing is the insurance I always use for travel insurance.

Lastly, my Alaska packing list for your travels to the Last Frontier.

Getting to Whittier & Where to Stay

No matter where you're driving from, in order to get to Whittier you'll have to time your visit to coincide with the one way tunnel, which runs every half hour. (Take note, it goes the opposite direction every half hour, so if you miss the time you want then you'll have to wait an entire hour before you get the opportunity again.) Last time we went through the price was $13 per small vehicle. (You can check the tunnel schedule here.) If you're visiting from Valdez, then you also have the option to take the ferry, which will take a bit more planning and will be a bit spendier, but you can check the schedule for the ferry here.

Finding a place to eat in Whittier can be a bit tricky, and typically my husband and I only take day trips from Anchorage. Because there aren't many places to stay in the area, we usually just camp out at one of the pulloffs down Shotgun Cove Road. Don't worry though, there's plenty of places to eat in Whittier (my personal favorite is Varly's Swiftwater Seafood Cafe or the Pizza & Ice Cream Parlour.

The best tour in Whittier :
- Prince William Sound Glacier Cruise

11 Reasons to Visit Whittier

​​1. Prince William Sound
Prince William Sound is one of the most peaceful bodies of water in Alaska. With incredible views and amazing chances to encounter wildlife, it's one place that draws visitors all by itself. If you're on a budget I would recommend booking a cruise with Phillips Cruise - their tour takes you around the sound and you'll get to see 26 glaciers! If you're looking for something a bit more private that offers more "up close" encounters with wildlife and glaciers then I recommend Lazy Otter Charters for an incredible tour.

2. Sea Kayaking
If you're visiting Alaska and looking for something a bit more relaxed then Lazy Otter Charters also offers guided sea kayaking trips. It'll allow you even more immersive experience through Prince William Sound.

3. The Town Under One Roof
​You might not have guessed it but the entire town of Whittier lives in one single apartment building, the Begich Towers. You'll be able to spot this "high rise" no matter where you are in town, and you can even go in to explore if you'd like with the first floor mimicking a kind of "museum."

4. Shopping
Most towns in Alaska have shopping and local businesses along the main street and harbor, but Whittier has one of my favorite. Prince William Sound Salt Co. offers locally produced, ethically sourced, pure Alaskan Sea Salt. Inside their shop you can find different variations of their salt, adorable merch, and bath & body products.

5. Experience Alaska's Marine Highway
​Alaska's Marine Highway is unlike any other. Criss crossing primarily throughout the Southcentral and Southeast areas of Alaska, the Marine Highway allows access to areas that are otherwise unreachable by the road system. Although there are many areas you can get on and off the Marine Highway, a popular route is starting in Whittier and making your way to Valdez, just make sure you have a way to get back! The experience itself can be a bit spendy, but the views are beautiful - and it'll be an adventure unlike any other. I've heard the longest route (from Washington to Juneau) can take up to 3 days! If you plan on experiencing the Marine Highway, make sure to book ahead and check the schedule here.

6. Try the Jet Skis
Whittier is one of the only areas in Alaska where you can join a Jet Ski tour and go right up to a glacier! This unique family owned adventure brings you 60 miles through Prince William Sound and to the base of a glacier - an adventure I'll be doing myself later this summer!

7. The Wildlife
Because Whittier sits on the waters of Prince William Sound, the waters here are often calmer than coastal towns - making it a perfect haven for marine wildlife. If you keep your eyes peeled while exploring the coast you'll often see otters and seals nearby! If you head out deeper into Prince William Sound you'll see even more like sea lions, puffins, and sometimes even whales and orcas.

8. Sound Cycle Bike Tours
This is an excellent way to explore a bit of Alaska without feeling rushed. If you're not too keen on getting out on the water, this is a great, easy way to get out around Whittier and still enjoy the great views! Especially if you don't have a car or are just visiting for a port day on a cruise, the town isn't as "walkable" as others in Alaska so this is a great alternative.​​

9. The Views
The views in Whittier are some of my favorite. With incredibly tall mountains and glaciers just about everywhere you look, just trust me when I say the views themselves are worth a visit. If you're able to, I would take a drive down Shotgun Cove Road and do some hikes out towards that end of town!

10. The Hikes
There are plenty of hikes in and around Whittier that are worth a stop, but it's worth noting that they'll typically be pretty muddy. Some of my favorites are Emerald Cove Trail (a 3.3 mile hike that brings you along the coast) and the Portage Pass Trail (a 4.2 mile hike that brings you up and over to views of Portage Glacier).

11. The Waterfalls
In addition to stunning hikes, the waterfalls in and around Whittier are some of the best. You can see my entire list of my favorite waterfalls in Alaska here, but two easy ones to visit in Whittier are Horsetail Falls (a 2 mile hike) and 2nd Salmon Run Falls (about a 1 mile hike). The waterfall pictured above is the 2nd Salmon Run Falls!

Watch my Whittier Adventures here!

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Other Alaska blog posts you might be interested in : 
-> 15 Easiest Alaska Glaciers to Visit
-> 11 Waterfalls to Visit in Alaska
-> 7 Best Tours in Alaska

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