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Lazy Otter Charters and Cafe

Water Taxi And Custom Cruises In Whittier, Alaska Since 1994

Lazy Otter Charters, Inc. is a family owned and operated charter and water taxi operation harbored in Whittier, Alaska. Captain Mike Bender has been operating Lazy Otter Charters Inc in Prince William Sound since 1994 and is pleased to be expanding our fleet and offering the same renowned reliability and customer service. NEW, we offer guided kayak trips, and we have added a third boat to our fleet!
Discover the calm waters and numerous protected isles and inlets of spectacular Prince William Sound with Lazy Otter Charters, Inc. Prince William Sound is one of Alaska’s precious jewels, with the largest collection of tidewater glaciers, mountains that careen strait up from the waters edge, and nutrient rich waters that support an abundance of sea life. Whether you are interested in a personalized day cruise, including glaciers, whales and wildlife viewing, need a trip to a public cabin in Prince William Sound, or an expedition using our kayak transport Lazy Otter Charters Inc. would love to help you with your Prince William Sound adventure.

Send us an email if you have any questions!

Lazy Otter Charters is celebrating 30 years of exploring Prince William Sound. Mike and Kelly are proud to have been operating in Whittier and sharing the places they love best for 30 years.

Captain Mike Bender has been operating Lazy Otter Charters Inc in Prince William Sound since 1994 offering renowned reliability and customer service. Mike has extensive knowledge and passion for the Sound. Mike started sailing in PWS in 1980 and it is his love for the area that prompted him to start Lazy Otter Charters to share PWS with others. The biggest pleasure for Mike is raising his kids in the Sound and in the business and the numerous family memories created here. Mike works to protect Prince William Sound for all families.

mike and kelly glacier Prince William Sound

Captain Mike & Kelly Bender

Kelly is co-owner of Lazy Otter Charters with her husband Mike. Kelly started her career in Prince William Sound in the 80s working on tour boats between Valdez and Whittier. After working small cruise ships and tour boats throughout the Pacific Northwest, Southeast Alaska and Kenai Fjords, she returned to Whittier and her first love, Prince William Sound. Oh that’s also where she met her greatest love and joined Mike in the Lazy Otter Charter business. Kelly is the President Greater Whittier Chamber of Commerce, and has extensive knowledge of Whittier businesses and community and the Alaska tourism industry.

“I know with absolute certainty, every time our guests go out into Prince William Sound they are going to have a spectacular experience.  This place is so amazing. It thrills me that we get to be  a part of their adventure.  Sincerely that’s why we love this business.”

~Captain Mike – Owner

Oh Captain, My Captain!

Meet the Lazy Otter Crew

Dylan Bender

Dylan Bender, born and raised in Alaska and in Lazy Otter Charters. The youngest of the Bender Family, Dylan was practically born on a boat in Prince William Sound and has grown up working with his siblings and parents in the family business. When Dylan is not in college at the California Maritime Academy, he is in Whittier helping his Dad with everything a marine business could need. “I love working on the water and spending time outside skiing, climbing, and skydiving.”

Michelle Lang

Captain

Captain Michelle Lang grew up in Southern California but her love for the ocean began on her first boat job in Australia 9 years ago. After two years of working on boats on the Great Barrier Reef she decided to move up to Alaska and has called it home ever since. For the last 6 years she has spent the cold summers in Seward, Juneau and Whittier and then migrated to the warmer waters of Hawaii to sail with the humpback whales! She has also spent winters on sailboats in Key west, Portugal, and New Zealand. Out of all the places she has worked, Alaska has been her favorite “I am always excited to come back and show people why I love to call it home.”

Jennifer Lang

Captain

Captain Jennifer Lang (Jen), grew up in Southern California and fell in love with the ocean at an early age. She has worked professionally on boats for several years in Seward Alaska and has since come to call Alaska home. She also spent the past year in New Zealand working on both multi day tour vessels as well as aquaculture barges. She is now excited to get to call Whittier and Prince William Sound home! Her passion for adventure has taken her far and wide, fostering a deep apreciation for exploration and connection with the natural world. “I have a never ending desire to learn and grow as a captain and also simply as a person.”

Stephanie Carlson

Stephanie Carlson has worked for Lazy Otter in many different capacities since 2019 and is, as Kelly likes to say, the spokes to the wheel. Stephanie helps keep the reservation and admin side of the Otter going. She is a born and raised Alaskan, who enjoys collecting retro nostalgia. “My favorite things to do in the summer are bonfires at the head of the bay or enjoying evenings at Emerald Cove Trail Head. I make it a priority to travel out of state a few times a year, a few of my favorite repeat destinations are Chicago and the Hawaiian Islands.” If you want to know a good camping spot in South Central Alaska, or about the summer music scene- Stephanie’s your gal.

Amarissa Cramer

Amarissa Cramer is returning for third year with Lazy Otter Café & Gifts as the café and fudge shop Manager. Amarissa lived in Alaska during her high school years and now is a college student from Twin Falls Idaho majoring in Geology. “I love the outdoors!” If she’s not at work you can find her skiing, rock climbing, and crocheting!

Stephen Kornoelje

Captain

Stephen Kornoelje joined Lazy Otter Charters as a Captain in 2024. Born and raised on the water of West Michigan, living on a houseboat for 6 months of the year. Looking for something more adventurous moved to the Florida Keys for a Scuba Instructor internship. Once finished with the internship moved onto a liveaboard sailboat in the Exuma, Bahamas running week long dive trips. After two years on a charter boat moved to the commercial side, running an Offshore Supply Ship in the Gulf of Mexico. “I’m Excited to spend the summer exploring Prince William Sound. When not working I can be found underwater with a camera in my hands!”

Caroline Strinsky

Caroline Strinsky, is celebrating her second season as a deckhand for the Lazy Otter. Caroline started working in the café of Lazy Otter and decided to follow the maritime footsteps of her Mother and Father and pursue sea time as a deckhand. “I love all things outdoors, specifically whitewater kayaking and rock climbing. When I’m not in paradise (Whittier), I spend my time studying psychology and American Sign Language at Clemson University. I’m looking forward to an amazing summer filled with dolphins and glaciers! ”

Tyler (Ty) Villnow

Tyler (Ty) Villnow is an adventurous spirit who grew up in the foothills of Lake Tahoe, California, and has been with Lazy Otter Charters 3 years. “I am Driven by my passion for exploration that’s why I made the move to Whittier Alaska.” Ty continues to peruse his dreams working in and on the ocean. When not on a boat in Prince William Sound Tyler can be found ridding the waves on a surfboard or hitting the slopes on a snowboard. His thirst for adventures knows no bounds and he brings that same energy and enthusiasm to exploring the Prince William sound with all of our guests.