Glacier JetSki Adventures — Local services in Whittier

We were there on June, 21, 2021 and did the morning ride, with another family of 4, whom we did not know.

My wife and I traveled to Alaska as a COVID make-up anniversary trip and I somehow managed to essentially plan the trip around the Glacier Jet Ski adventure I booked out of Whittier. It all stemmed from cheap airfare from Minneapolis, and then was impacted by the near total rental car shortage. This resulted in me checking out the Alaska Railway, and seeing that Whittier was the first stop, and that lead to "what to do in Whittier", and viola, we hiked the first day, and did the jet ski adventure the second.

We could not have been more pleased with the experience. I'll begin with the telephone conversations I had with one of the owners. I called on two separate occasions, the first having to leave a voicemail that she promptly returned. Both times she was extremely friendly, and efficiently answered my questions about what to wear, etc. Upon arriving for the morning tour, the staff (Beth and another lady who's name I have forgotten) were ready for us and were very friendly and efficient as they got us ready for the trip, and explained what we needed to do to remain safe out on the ride.

I can not express how incredible it is to be skimming alone the water at 50MPH surrounded by the awesome beauty that is the land and water surrounding Whittier. Then, to be able drive up to several glaciers and watch them drop ice and water as chunks of blue-green ice float around your ski, is sort of mind-boggling.

As for the equipment, it is all 100% top of the line. The skis even have hand warmers for goodness sakes. Having owned skis in Florida when I was a kid, I can only imagine that handwarmers are a special order item on the average jet ski. The dry suits are comfortable for the ride, and do indeed keep one fully dry, something I learned when I slipped off the ski into the water during a "swim stop" on the way back to Whittier from Blackstone Bay.

Is it relatively expensive? I guess that depends, but assuming you've already paid for travel, and for lodging and food, the additional few hundred dollars for a once in a lifetime experience (at least for most of us) is money very well spent.

Now, I will mention that there are two (that we noticed) other jet ski rental places operating out of Whittier. My thoughts are this. First, that the original folks (Glacier Jets Skis are the OG) deserve respect for having pioneered an experience that I imagine took a good deal of convincing for the local government, state regulatory folks, and their insurance carrier. Additionally, while sitting on a bench near the water waiting for our train back to Anchorage we saw one of the other outfitters heading out, and their customers did not appear to be wearing anywhere close to the same quality or type of gear that we had with GJSA.

A couple of other considerations. First, the "glacier tour" boats that leave out of Whittier cost $150 per person. As I understand it they are longer tours, and you see "more" glaciers, but there truly can be no comparison between being on a massive boat with 200 other people that drives near glaciers, and being on your own nimble water-craft inches from the water, and feet from the ice itself.

We found Whitter to be a neat little town. There are several worthwhile hiking trails nearby that you can walk to if you choose to stay in town either before, or after your GJSA. Note that Whittier is a VERY rainy place, so plan accordingly if you're going to stay in town for more than just the adventure. We stayed at the Anchor Inn, and ate at The Whittier Inn. We were good with the Anchor Inn, but if you want more spit and polish The Inn is where you'll want to be.

So, it is without reservation that I recommend taking the Glacier Jet Ski Adventure out of Whittier Alaska. You will...

Exceptional Booking Experience and Customer Service

Our upcoming trip with Glacier Jet Ski Adventures has been nothing short of spectacular, even before we set foot in Whittier. The booking process was incredibly simple and efficient, which immediately put us at ease. Charlie and Rebecca have been fantastic, answering all of our questions with great detail and offering invaluable advice on everything from where to eat to the best times to navigate the Whittier tunnel.

Their commitment to ensuring a smooth experience has been evident from the start. They provided clear guidance on what to expect, recommended excellent local dining options, and gave precise instructions for passing through the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, which is crucial for reaching Whittier.

We are beyond excited for our adventure and feel confident knowing we are in such capable hands. Charlie and Rebecca's personalized attention and expertise have already made this an unforgettable experience. We can’t wait for the jet skiing adventure itself!

Thank you, Charlie and Rebecca, for making this process so seamless and exciting. Highly recommend Glacier Jet Ski Adventures for anyone looking to explore Alaska’s stunning glaciers with a personal touch.

The Glacier Jetski tour was one of the most amazing experiences our family has ever had! We've been fortunate to enjoy many fun activities, such as swimming with elephants, zip-lining in the jungles on the longest zip line in North America, feeding alligators in the Everglades, catching 11-foot sturgeons in the Columbia River, and fishing for sailfish in Cabo. Hands down, this was the most incredible adventure we've ever been a part of.

The price may seem steep at first, but once you finish, you realize the individual attention they give you and the family business you are supporting are truly amazing. One cannot explain how massive these glaciers are and how small you feel when looking up at 1,000 feet of ice that just goes on forever. When we were there, pieces the size of cars were breaking off with a thunderous roar echoing through the valley. There were so many opportunities for great photos. We all took our phones in the dry box, and not once did anything important get wet.

The guides are true professionals, and they ensure you have a fantastic time. If you're looking for an adventure, want to get some great photos, and have the ride of a lifetime, book here. We're still on cloud nine, telling sea stories about the four-hour adventure that was worth every penny. There is a reason why they have a 5.0 rating. We saw more of Alaska in four hours than what a typical tourist would see in a week.

Thank you, Jetski team, we...

Glacier Jetski Adventures was one of the best experiences I’ve ever enjoyed. We live in Alaska, and whether you are a tourist from another place, or you live in Alaska and are just wanting to explore this amazing state more...this tour is for you.

Our first scheduled booking was canceled due to bad weather. Disappointing, but it made me happy to see the company puts safety first. They offered a full refund or a rescheduled day for anytime they had openings. We obviously rescheduled and the process was smooth and easy, with no hiccups.

The owner, Charlie, had the best customer service and made you feel like you were talking to an old friend. His vision of the first Jetski tour in Alaska is a beautiful one, and I truly believe that he’s right that his tour is the most empowering way to view Prince William Sound, the wildlife, glaciers, and waterfalls. He was also very considerate and respectful of some concerns some in our group had, and made sure the tour was still enjoyable, safe, and happy for everyone in the group.

The guides, Dannie and TJ, were phenomenal and made sure that the 6 of us on the tour could have a safe and enjoyable experience. They got us close to the sights, but also were very clear on safety guidelines and didn’t put anyone at risk.

We went out on a fairly rainy day, yet the top of the line gear they provided kept us dry and warm. (Obviously wear warm layers of your own clothes below their gear - but they provide excellent gear as long as you prepare accordingly.) The jetskis were SO easy to learn how to use, extremely stable, and comfortable! I expected to be so sore after the tour or on the following day, and I wasn’t.

I love that they keep their tour sizes small...our group was 4, and there were 2 other riders, along with the two guides. So only 8 people all together. They gave us ample time to enjoy the sights, while also giving us lots of fun on the jetskis. The jetskis have a waterproof compartment for a phone or GoPro, but it’s not really adequate for a bigger camera if you are curious about bringing your camera gear. We only had our phones, and the waterproof compartment was perfect for those.

Glacier Jetski Adventures is worth every single penny; I’d be happy to pay them again to take me out, and quite honestly probably will. We have out of state friends and family who need to experience this - and it would be a shame to send them on their own. 10/10 recommend. Don’t question this...