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Turnagain Arm, Wildlife Center & Glaciers: Small-Group Tour

372 Reviews 4.92 out of 5 stars Based on 372 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and TripAdvisor |
Recommended by 99% of reviewers
99% of reviewers gave this experience a rating of 4 or higher.
| Anchorage, USA
Book online or call us

from $130 per person

Lowest Price Guarantee
Turnagain Arm, Wildlife Center & Glaciers: Small-Group Tour Image 1
Turnagain Arm, Wildlife Center & Glaciers: Small-Group Tour Image 2
JB from the AWCC
Turnagain Arm, Wildlife Center & Glaciers: Small-Group Tour Image 4
Turnagain Arm, Wildlife Center & Glaciers: Small-Group Tour Image 5
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 26 (0) days in advance.
6 hours (approx.)
Hotel pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
Instant confirmation

Overview

Six hours, one unforgettable road. This small-group tour (14 guests max) trades the big motorcoach for a Mercedes Sprinter and a born-and-raised Alaskan guide who's driven Turnagain Arm his whole life.

Heading south from Anchorage, the Seward Highway squeezes between the Chugach Mountains and the sea. At Beluga Point we glass the water for belugas and the cliffs for Dall sheep and eagles. At the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, rescued bears, moose, bison, caribou, and muskox roam big natural enclosures — your best shot at photographing Alaska's icons in one visit. Then Portage Valley: Explorer and Byron Glaciers and a short walk through mossy rainforest.

Lunch happens like a local on the way home: Girdwood Brewing Company, in a mountain ski town, with rotating Alaska food trucks (lunch is at your expense).

A lifelong local behind the wheel, 14 seats instead of 50, and no rush when the wildlife shows up. See Alaska between the postcards.

What's Included

  • Snacks
  • Bottled water we will have bottled water and some snacks available during the trip
  • Entry to the AWCC is provided as part of your tour.
  • Lunch Lunch and drinks at Girdwood Brewing Company (typically $15–25 per person), gratuities
See 1 more

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup point
Pickup details

I've found that getting around an unfamiliar city can be an annoyance. My goal is to remove all annoyances from your day. To this end, let us pick you up at your hotel. This could entail us being there by as much as 30 minutes early to do this. I will let you know before your tour exactly what time I'll be at your hotel.

What To Expect

Book Online

Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
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Safe & secure Easy breezy Hassle‑free

Anchorage

Your guide, Tim, meets you at your hotel in a comfortable Mercedes Sprinter van, and we head south out of the city toward Turnagain Arm.
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10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Seward Highway

The Seward Highway is a designated National Scenic Byway and one of America's most beautiful drives — a ribbon of road pinched between the Chugach Mountains and the waters of Turnagain Arm. Along the way, watch for Dall sheep on the cliffs, bald eagles overhead, and beluga whales in the Arm, with your guide sharing local history and stories the whole way. We make flexible stops when wildlife appears.
Read more

2 hours Admission Ticket Free

Beluga Point

A rocky outcrop over Turnagain Arm and one of Alaska's classic viewpoints. We stop to glass the water for beluga whales, scan the cliffs for Dall sheep, and take in the Chugach Mountains rising straight from the sea.
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10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center

A sanctuary for rescued and orphaned Alaskan wildlife on a spectacular stretch of Portage Valley flats. See brown and black bears, moose, bison, caribou, muskox, and more up close in spacious natural enclosures — the reliable way to photograph all of Alaska's big animals in one afternoon.
Read more

1 hour 10 minutes Admission Ticket Included

Portage Glacier

A glacier-carved valley at the end of Turnagain Arm. Take in views of Explorer and Byron Glaciers and stretch your legs on a short walk through mossy northern rainforest — a completely different Alaska from the coastline you just drove.
Read more

1 hour Admission Ticket Free

Girdwood Brewing Company

Lunch like a local in the ski town of Girdwood. This neighborhood brewery hosts rotating Alaska food trucks, mountain views, and a laid-back local crowd. Grab lunch, try a local beer if you like, and relax before the valley's glaciers.
Read more

1 hour Admission Ticket Included

Anchorage

We retrace one of America's most scenic drives back north. Drop-off at your hotel or wherever in the city you'd rather end your day.
Read more

30 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Show 6 more stops

Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 14 travelers

Frequently Asked Questions (8)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Turnagain Arm, Wildlife Center & Glaciers: Small-Group Tour?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (AKST).This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund. Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

Still have questions?

We're here to help.
Activity code: C-401018P1

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.92
372 reviews

Average 4.92 out of 5 stars based on 372 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
348
4 stars
21
3 stars
1
2 stars
1
1 star
1
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 26 (0) days in advance.
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Frequently Asked Questions (8)

Activity name

The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Shore Excursions customers.

Filter by:

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Turnagain Arm, Wildlife Center & Glaciers: Small-Group Tour?
A:
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.
  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (AKST).
  • This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
Apr 2025
Q: What's included in the price?
A:
The following is included:
  • Snacks.
  • Bottled water. we will have bottled water and some snacks available during the trip.
  • Entry to the AWCC is provided as part of your tour.
The following is NOT included:
  • Lunch. Lunch and drinks at Girdwood Brewing Company (typically $15–25 per person), gratuities.
Apr 2025
Q: What is the weather cancellation policy?
A:

This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Apr 2025
Q: What is the minimum age for this tour?
A:

There is no minimum age for this tour, so bring your wee one along for an adventure. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..

Apr 2025
Q: My date is not available in the calendar, I am just checking to see if it is available?
A:

If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.

If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.

Apr 2025
Q: Is this an accessible tour?
A:

Accessibility information for the Turnagain Arm, Wildlife Center & Glaciers: Small-Group Tour is as follows:

  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Apr 2025
Q: Where is the meeting point for this activity?
A:

Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Turnagain Arm, Wildlife Center & Glaciers: Small-Group Tour will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Shore Excursions. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!

 

 

Mar 2024
Q: How long does a refund take to reach my card, and can I get it faster?
A:

Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.

Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.

If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.

Oct 2026

What's Included

Activity name

  • Snacks
  • Bottled waterwe will have bottled water and some snacks available during the trip
  • Entry to the AWCC is provided as part of your tour.
  • LunchLunch and drinks at Girdwood Brewing Company (typically $15–25 per person), gratuities

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 14 travelers

Report Product Issue

Activity name