Valdez To Whittier Ferry: USA / Canada 2018

We were up early for our pre-booked Alaska Marine Highway 5.30am ferry from Valdez to Whittier. We’d checked in by 4.45am and there were already several lines of vehicles there!

We couldn’t have been more lucky with the weather – clear blue skies and no wind. We spent the whole journey sat on the deck wowing at the view.

We saw puffins, sea otters, humpback whales and stunning views of the Columbia glacier.

It was truly amazing.

We docked early as the ferry didn’t call into Tatitlek.

Then it was off at Whittier and through the tunnel. The tunnel was free in our direction, $13 coming the other way, bonus! Then on to Seward for the 4th July Independence Day celebrations!

We’d pre-booked a motel, the Breeze Inn. When we made the reservation it was one of only two rooms left available in Seward and we’d booked back in Febraury! We weren’t sure what to expect, but were delighted with our room – top floor at the end of the corridor so we had amazing views out the front to the mountains and harbour and out onto the lagoon from the rear windows.

We geared up, headed out for tea as a celebration and then down to the water to watch the beginning of  Independence Day – fireworks at midnight.

A truly magical day.

Tomorrow….the 4th July 2018 in Seward…click here to read our next installment.