Things to do in Valdez

Take a 6-hour journey through Prince William Sound, featuring a visit to the Columbia Glacier area. Jump on the chance to view history in the making and retreat back into the Chugach Mountains. Embark on a sightseeing cruise and explore first Port Valdez. Learn about early explorers, oil shipping, commercial fishing, and pass by cascading waterfalls down the coastal mountains. Travel through the Valdez Narrows and enjoy a hot soup lunch to prepare for the adventure ahead. Head through Prince William Sound and try to catch sight of seals, sea otters, sea lions, porpoise, Orca, Humpback Whales, puffing, bald eagles, and more. Enter into Columbia Bay and don your warm layers and winter gear. Discover a world surrounded by ice, largely untouched by people. Return in time to explore the Valdez community and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

Enjoy a cruise through the Prince William Sound, spot bald eagles, orcas, and visit the advancing Meares Glacier on a 7.5-hour adventurous cruise through the heart of the area. Begin your day by exploring Port Valdez where you will learn about early explorers, oil shipping, and commercial fishing. Cruise by waterfalls cascading down coastal mountains as you travel the calm waters of the Sound to Unakwik Inlet. Encounter marine birds and wildlife at incredible locations on the water. Look out for sea otters, sea lions, and porpoises. Watch out for wildlife including majestic humpback whales and sea birds such as puffins. Spend some time relaxing on the boat in front of the Meares Glacier and witness some calving activity, where the ice falls into the ocean. Be served lunch as you depart Meares Glacier. Pass a bullhead sea lion Haulout, to watch the sea lions resting before returning to Valdez at 5:00 PM.

Experience the best paddling, wildlife, and ice in Alaska on a day trip to the Columbia Glacier. Paddle among the wildest, most impressive scenery around and see the largest tidewater glacier in Prince William Sound. Meet your guide at the meeting point in Valdez and receive a safety briefing and paddling tips. Then, board a boat and cruise to the Columbia Glacier. Paddle among ancient, freshly calved ice and land on newborn beaches. With massive tide swings and ever-changing calving rates, every day is different in the Columbia Glacier zone. Enjoy a lunch break and continue to paddle around the wildest place you’ve ever known. After your adventure, board the boat and cruise back to Valdez.

Discover the beauty of Duck Flats on this sea kayaking tour from Valdez. Look for nesting bald eagles, resting harbor seals, feeding sea otters, and other curious creatures. Learn about the rich local history from your guide. Meet your guide at the small boat harbor in Valdez and receive a safety briefing and instruction. Then, set off on a kayak tour of Duck Flats. Paddle into the calm, protected waters of Duck Flats and head out past the new harbor to follow a chain of small islands recognized for their nesting birds and sun-bathing seals. Enjoy discussions of natural history as well as the history of Valdez. Afterward, return to the harbor.

Enjoy a thrilling rafting adventure in Valdez, Alaska. Navigate the Lowe River through Keystone Canyon, which is the only land route to the Alaskan interior. Take in the stunning scenery of the canyon as you raft through the rapids. Meet your guide at the meeting point and receive a safety briefing and basic instruction. Then, head to the river and get outfitted with all the necessary equipment. Climb into the raft and start your adventure. The initial Class I-II water offers an opportunity to get used to the raft and practice commands prior to entering the canyon. As the canyon narrows, the waves and rapids increase into big-water Class III. If the water is really moving, you’ll hear boulders turning on the riverbed. On a short section of calm water, stop at Bridal Veil Falls, one of the many massive waterfalls adorning Keystone Canyon’s sheer rock walls. After the quick stop, it’s back in the raft to navigate the rest of this magnificent canyon. Take out as the canyon opens and the river calms.

Embark on a 6-hour kayaking adventure from Valdez to Gold Creek State Park. Paddle through the waters of Port Valdez and enjoy a picnic lunch on the beach. Hike through ancient rainforests to cascading waterfalls and keep an eye out for black bears and jumping salmon. Meet your guide at the small boat harbor and gear up for your adventure. Get on-land instruction before loading into the kayaks and paddling from the harbor to Gold Creek State Park. Keep your eyes peeled for seals, sea lions, and sea otters as you paddle through the waters of Port Valdez. Enjoy a more remote paddle to a wonderful beach for a picnic lunch. Hike through ancient rainforests to cascading waterfalls. Keep your eyes peeled for black bears and jumping salmon. The return to Valdez will follow the same route back to the small boat harbor.

Paddle around ancient, freshly calved ice and land on newborn beaches. With massive tide swings and ever-changing calving rates, every day is different in the Columbia Glacier zone. Climb aboard a motor boat for a water taxi ride to Shoup Bay, where you will begin this scenic journey. Over the course of the day, paddle up a fjord that has been revealed by a retreating glacier, past a nesting colony of black-legged kittiwakes, along a lush, waterfall-laden coastline, and up towards the face of the glacier. Enjoy a short walk on the beach and a lunch spot with a marvelous glacier view. At the end of the paddle, be picked up by the motorboat for the ride back to Valdez.