College Fjord is a glacier-lined fjord in northern Prince William Sound where tidewater glaciers meet the sea, led by Harvard Glacier, one of the largest glaciers in the Sound. The 1899 Harriman Expedition named many of its glaciers after East Coast colleges. You can see College Fjord on our 26 Glacier Cruise from Whittier, where we follow the expedition’s route.

Our Alaska 26 Glacier Cruise and our Glacier Quest Cruise offer unforgettable trips into the wilds of Alaska waters, where vacationers can see glaciers and abundant wildlife, including sea lions, harbor seals, and even bears or mountain goats along the shore. Choosing a top Alaska glacier and fjord destination will allow you to witness unparalleled views of nature that can’t be found anywhere else in the world.

College Fjord: A Glacier Powerhouse

The most active glaciers in the world are located in Prince William Sound, often allowing cruise passengers to witness ice thundering into the water as the massive glaciers calve. Cruising College Fjord will bring you close to many glaciers, enabling a breathtaking view of up to eight glaciers at once. The largest, Harvard Glacier, presents a face spanning a mile and a half across. Keep your camera ready to document dramatic calving and marine wildlife like otters and seals traveling the ice floes.

Glacier Quest Cruise: Calving Glaciers Close to Whittier

The Glacier Quest Cruise is a shorter, 3.75-hour trip from Whittier that visits 10 glaciers along Passage Canal. Guests float among icebergs, watch glaciers calve, and look for seals, sea otters, whales, bears, mountain goats, bald eagles, and other animals.

Harriman Fjord: Spotting Marine Life Amidst Towering Glaciers

Five glaciers flow into protected Harriman Fjord, which spans 12 miles from Barry Arm near Whittier to the terminus of Harriman Glacier. Cruising the frigid waters of the inlet presents opportunities to see orca and humpback whales, Dall’s porpoise, sea lions, sea otters, and harbor seals. The region’s crystalline rivers and streams are home to five species of wild salmon, increasing the chance of sighting bears fishing on shore. The Harriman Fjord was named for the expedition that mapped the area and can be explored after experiencing the grandeur of College Fjord on our 26 Glacier Cruise that follows the route of the 1899 Harriman Expedition.

Choose Your Perfect Alaska Day Cruise from Whittier

Prince William Sound is the best place in Alaska to see stunning coastal scenery and tidewater glaciers calving into the ocean. Cruise passengers can view spectacular waterfalls and wildlife, including bald eagles, seabirds, otters, and, occasionally, whales. The close proximity to shore means you’ll see peaks rising from 2,000 – 9,000 feet straight from the water’s edge and have an opportunity to glimpse wildlife on shore.

At Phillips Cruises & Tours, we operate one-day glacier cruises from Whittier, Alaska. Our guests explore spectacular Prince William Sound in first-class comfort aboard stable, high-speed catamarans that allow passengers to get closer to the region’s stunning glaciers and local wildlife at sea and onshore. The 26 Glacier Cruise is a 5.25-hour tour following the Harriman Expedition route through Esther Passage, College Fjord, and Harriman Fjord. The Glacier Quest Cruise is a 3.75-hour cruise exploring Passage Canal. All cruises include narration by Chugach National Forest Service Rangers and a delicious hot meal.

When you’re ready to experience the unforgettable sights and sounds of America’s Land of the Midnight Sun, book one of our day cruises to witness the unique marvels of Prince William Sound. Learn more about our FAQs. Contact us today to book a glacier cruise sure to be the highlight of your Alaska vacation.

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