Travel south to Valdez, Alaska for this remote kayaking and camping adventure. Explore Prince William Sound and Heather Bay as you paddle around some pristine scenery filled with wildlife. Paddle up to the largest tidewater glacier in Prince William Sound, the Columbia Glacier. Keep your eyes peeled for sea otter and seal sightings. You may even get lucky and spot an orca whale in these waters! Spend two nights camping in this remote area and paddle around exploring at your leisure each day. This Alaska kayaking trip is easily combined with other backcountry camping experiences and time in Anchorage. Or opt to travel the Alaska railway north to visit Denali National Park.
Highlights
Kayak up to the largest tidewater glacier in Prince William Sound
Explore Heather Bay and Columbia Glacier as you camp out along the shore
Spot wildlife in the bay including sea otters, seals, and orca whales!
Activities that provide a reasonable level of physical challenge and elevate the heart rate. Focused on more active pursuits including multisport tours. Travelers may be active 5-7 hours total each day. Recommended for travelers with active lifestyles.
Fly from Anchorage or another connecting town with Ravn Air to Valdez. Settle into your hotel this evening.
Day 2: Heather Bay | Columbia Glacier
1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Meet up with your guide in town this morning for a safety briefing and orientation. From here board the water taxi for a cruise out to Heather Bay, the access point to the majestic Columbia Glacier. This glacier is the largest tidewater glacier in Prince William Sound. Embark on your multi-day kayaking tour today, paddling first through the massive floating icefield among towering icebergs to the island overlooking the glacier. Paddle away from Columbia Glacier keeping watch for a variety of marine mammals including harbor seals, sea otters, and maybe a rare glimpse of an orca! Tonight camp in Heather Bay and settle in for some tasty camp cuisine prepared by the guides.
Day 3: Columbia Bay
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Set out from Heather Bay again this morning to explore Columbia Bay in more depth. Cross the main channel of ice escaping over the glacier's moraine. Keep your eyes open for wildlife throughout the day, as it is common to see large groups of sea otters or harbor seals hauled out on the ice in this area or spot an orca trying to find his next meal! Paddle the western coastline of Columbia Bay with a visit to Granite Cove. Camp here if conditions allow.
Day 4: Glacier Island
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Enjoy breakfast this morning and a short hike in the area before setting out on kayaks towards Glacier Island. Explore the bays located along the north side of the island and take advantage of the numerous short hike and beach-combing locations. You can opt to climb one of the ridges for an impressive view of Naked Island, Columbia Glacier, and possibly the snowy peaks of Montague Island. Your guides will prepare a delicious hot meal before camping for the night.
Get an early start today paddling around the corner of Glacier Island to Bull Head. Here you will find a colony of Stellar Sea Lions which can be seen feeding, sleeping and swimming. These great mammals were once thought to be extinct. Also, be on the lookout for puffins and cormorants along the rugged coastline. Stop at one of the beaches for lunch and a hike up through the rainforest. After this break to stretch your legs, paddle off to Chamberlain Bay for more kayaking before your water taxi picks you up to take you back to Valdez this evening. Settle back into Valdez Harbor Inn for the evening.
Day 6: Fly Anchorage | Return Home
Take a local flight this morning to Anchorage. Connect with your flight home or continue with your independent Alaska travels. We would suggest a Denali Backcountry trip to top off your adventures!
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$2,0122-3 travelers
Notes
Select a Date
Rates based on pooled small group tour, max 8 people.
Initial deposit is 30%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days prior to departure by bank transfer, check, or credit card. Final payments by credit card may be subject to a 3% surcharge or a maximum $20,000 charge
The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
Mary has kept in regular contact and prepared me for everything so far
Michael Sinner
2 months ago
Very prompt responses. Erin found us the trip we were looking for and gave us good advice.
Nancy Brown-Koeller
2 months ago
I don’t have the words to describe it but the last week has been one of the best I can remember. 6 days of adventure in South East Alaska including trekking through lush rain forest, sitting in silence listening to glaciers calving, up early to see the northern lights, kayaking and stupidly swimming in iceberg frozen waters ! (That actually hurt).
Animal sightings including black and brown bears, Minke and hundreds of Humpack Whales, porpoises, sea lions, mountain goats, harbour seals, bald eagles, salmon and more birds than I can count. Wonderful friends and connections made. A huge shout out to Trevor and his totally amazing crew on the Admiralty Dream whose energy and enthusiasm made this most incredible experience.
DAVID JAMES
3 months ago
From the initial booking all the way through the trip, this was by far our favorite trip. Small boat travel is the only way to see a location. The excursions were so much more than I could explain. The locations were remote and awesome.
Lori I
3 months ago
Personal, knowledgeable service. We felt so informed and supported before our trip. Highly recommend and would use again.
