Columbia Glacier Cruise from Valdez

Overview

This 6-hour tour explores the fjords and passageways of the Prince William Sound in route to South-central Alaska's largest tidewater glacier – Columbia Glacier. Your all-Alaskan captain and crew will share with you the history of the Sound and point out the marine wildlife and bird life in the area such as sea otters, seals, sea lions, whales, porpoises, eagles, puffins and more!

City: Alaska

Mon 23 Dec

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $164.11

Make a reservation

Mon 23 Dec

Starting at $164.11

Make a reservation

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What's Included

Lunch: Served around 12:00 PM is a light soup lunch.

Light refreshments: Complimentary coffee, tea and water.

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Children must be accompanied by an adult
We do provide a vegetarian option, however are not able to meet all special dietary needs. If you have specific restrictions or needs please feel free to bring your own meals/snacks.
Face masks provided for travellers
Hand sanitiser available to travellers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regularly sanitised high-traffic areas
Gear/equipment sanitised between use
Transportation vehicles regularly sanitised
Guides required to regularly wash hands
Regular temperature checks for staff
Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
COVID-19 vaccination required for guides

What To Expect

Columbia Glacier

Columbia Glacier is the largest glacier in south-central Alaska. Each day Columbia calves off around 8 million tons of ice. Depending on this ice flow we will navigate the large ice bergs getting as close to the face of Columbia as the ice and safety dictate.

Prince William Sound

Prince William Sound is a protected part of the ocean that we cruise in. It is rich with wildlife, glacier, beautiful glacier carved fjords and history.

Stan Stephens Glacier & Wildlife Cruises

Stan Stephens Cruises has been operating tours in Prince William Sound for 50 years.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews (118)

ChrisMary825

Jul 2012

The 6.5 hour cruise to Columbia Glacier is highly recommended as an enjoyable, interesting and informative day tour from Valdez. Excellent commentary and time taken to stop, wait and observe fishing, sea life, mammals, raptors, birds and of course the glacier and the sea ice. Very relaxing and comfortable cruise. Fast, clean and great catamaran cruise boat.

HappyWanderers38

Jun 2011

We took the 7 hour Glacier Cruise out to Columbia Glacier with the Stan Stephens team. Incredible is all one can say. The Valdez area, and Prince William Sound is simply one of the most beautiful places on Earth. The weather on the Sound is very unpredictable and constantly changing. We started out trip from Valdez with gray overcast skies and strong cold winds. By the time we arrived at Columbia Glacier, the weather had changed to warm with sunny skies. Be prepared for anything. This was an amazing journey. No trip to Valdez would be complete without getting out there on the water in Prince William Sound. The trip is distinguished by the incredible amount of wildlife you will see. Stellar Sea Lions, Otter, Bald Eagles, Bear, Dall Porpoises cavorting and jumping near the ship, and the highlight of course, the wonderful whales breaching and jumping out of the water!! This of course, is nature and not a circus show. Nothing is guaranteed. But the Sound is teeming with life owing to the richness of the waters and you're bound to see a lot. The vessel was very comfortable and a smooth sail all the way. Our captain navigated right up to the ice fields approaching the Glacier. That blue glacial ice is soooooo beautiful. He would in many instances, sail right up to the shoreline to get better views of wildlife including Puffins and Cormorants. It was a magical day for us, one will won't soon forget. If you have the time, and you're in the area, you MUST go and Stan Stephens is the company to go with. They have many years of experience out there on the Sound. Highly recommended!!

Ryco

Jun 2010

Cruising out of the most beautiful harbor of Valdez, Alaska was full of acticipation about what we would see when we got out to Prince William sound. The boat was comfortable and the staff aboard was very knowledgeable about the area. We were not even out of Valdez Arm and into the open sound when we saw a number of sea otters. The cruise took us to Columbia Glacier, so unique to have icebergs crackling and floating all around us. The getting to the glacier was as exciting as we viewed sea lions, humpback and fin whales, and Dall propoise. The captain also motored into one of the many beautiful serene coves along the sound. As we returned to Valdez Harbor a number of bald eagles soared overhead. This was a wonderful "take-in".