Deep within the northwest reaches of Prince William Sound, two legendary fjords—Harriman Fjord and College Fjord—unveil one of Alaska’s most spectacular glacial landscapes. Here, towering tidewater and valley glaciers cascade from snow-clad peaks into icy waters, creating a panorama that feels timeless and untamed.
The crown jewel is Harvard Glacier, stretching 24 miles (39 km) with a 1.5-mile (2.5 km) face—an awe-inspiring testament to nature’s scale. As you glide through these fjords, watch for seals lounging on ice floes and listen for the thunderous crack of calving ice echoing across the Sound.
This remote wilderness also carries a storied past. In 1899, railroad magnate Edward Harriman led an ambitious scientific expedition here, joined by luminaries like naturalist John Muir and photographer Edward S. Curtis. Their journey through what is now College Fjord inspired glacier names honoring East Coast colleges—Yale, Amherst, Barnard, and Harvard—adding a scholarly touch to Alaska’s raw beauty.
Today, these fjords remain a highlight of any Alaska voyage, offering an unforgettable encounter with pristine glaciers, rich history, and the serene majesty of the Last Frontier.