See sea lion haul out areas, view puffins nesting on the cliffs and explore intricately carved glacial sea caves. Cross in front of Columbia Glacier and spend the day in Heather Bay hiking on the glacial moraine and ancient rain forests, kayaking among towering icebergs observing sea otters with pups, seals, eagles and frequently, bears on the uplands. Then continue your adventure back to Valdez, spending time in Valdez Arm, Sawmill Bay, Shoup Glacier and Gold Creek.
Your Itinerary:
Day 1: Meet at our office for a pre-trip safety briefing and equipment fitting. Load boats on our specialized water taxi and sit back to enjoy. The boat ride out to Chamberlain Bay on the south side of Glacier Island is perhaps one of the most beautiful in the Eastern part of Prince William Sound. Once in the bay we will organize our equipment, pack the boats and begin our expedition. Our next destination: Bull’s Head, made famous for the enormous Stellar Sea Lion colony that inhabits the area. Learn from your guides all about these friendly aquatic creatures as you will see first hand the way they play, fight and frolic on the rocks. On the paddle back toward the beach where we will be camping, keep a close eye out for the Horned and Tufted Puffins that have colonized the same area. Once on our beach, one of the most beautiful and secluded on Glacier Island, we will set up camp while continuing to watch the wildlife just offshore. Prepare yourself for a meal set in one of the most beautiful places we know.
Day 2: After breakfast and depending on weather, we will either paddle around the exposed Eastern side of Glacier Island or portage across a small strip of land and paddle Growler Bay to the more protected Northern side of the island. From here we will cross over to Columbia Bay and catch our first views of Columbia Glacier, the largest in Prince William Sound. We will set up camp at the entrance of Granite Cove and explore the fantastic shoreline that leads to the terminal moraine of the glacier. In the evening enjoy your meal as the evening light gives way to darkness and stars.
Day 3: Today finds us paddling toward the other pristine bay which borders Columbia: Heather Bay. Don’t forget your camera because this is the land of photo opportunities. Walking around giant icebergs stranded on the moraine with the tallest mountains in the Chugach range as a backdrop is not a sight you will soon forget. This is a perfect time to eat lunch and enjoy the scenery. After lunch prepare for a breathtaking paddle in the land of ice. Perhaps this is the experience that lured you to Alaska in the first place … paddling among floating ice in a bay so tranquil you can see your own reflection on the water. Weave your way among the ancient forms as you progress deeper and deeper into the bay. Get your photo taken in front of bergs or just relax and enjoy the splendor. Whatever your taste is, this is an experience that should not be missed. After making camp next to a gorgeous waterfall, relax, enjoy your dinner and take in the evening lights.
Day 4: In the morning after breakfast we will pack up and begin our tour toward Valdez. Our destination is 17 mile beach, a perfect place to camp with a view. Explore the coast along the way, all the while looking for eagles, seals, sea lions, bears and whales.
Day 5: After breakfast we will pack our boats and prepare for our paddle out to Sawmill Bay, perhaps one of the most beautiful of all the State Marine Parks. Along the way keep your eye out for whales who have been known to ‘cruise’ this part of the Valdez Arm. After making base camp on a beautiful beach at the edge of an old growth forest, paddle up a pristine river and watch the salmon spawn. This is also a popular place for bears and eagles to fish, so don’t forget your camera! Upon returning to camp, sit back relax and take in the colors of the evening as the guides prepare (or help you prepare) your meal. Sitting by the crackling of the fire, it is a perfect time to bask in the rich experience of the day and to get excited about the next day’s program.
Day 6: Wake up early and smell the coffee! Today we will paddle to Shoup Glacier. After a hardy breakfast, we will pack the boats and begin our journey into the arm and around Potato Point. Along the way relish the beauty of falling water as falls cascade from hundreds of feet up the cliff faces. This is a great time to watch for wildlife such as otters, seals, sea lions and, occasionally, whales. Stop for lunch and spend some time beach combing on the rugged coastline between Sawmill and Shoup Glacier, our intended destination for the evening. Once in Shoup Bay, the first views of Shoup Glacier will begin to unfold. The closer you get the bigger it is! After paddling into the inner tidal lagoon you will come face to face with the splendor of a tidewater glacier. Experience the awesome beauty of the ‘blue’ ice and listen to the cracking and popping as ice prepares to ‘calve’ into the azure waters of the bay. After exploring and visiting the Black Legged Kittiwake rookery, now numbering more than 20,000 birds, we will make our way to a camping spot. After dinner relax, go for a small hike on the moraine, or simply relax and wait for the special opportunity to see the ‘Northern Lights’ spread out across the evening, star-filled sky.
Day 7: After a breakfast and beverages, head out into the bay one more time for a morning tour. This is a great time to get those last photos by the glacier. We’ll than paddle back and break down camp. Now we begin our journey back to Valdez, paddling the beautiful coastline of Port Valdez. Along the way learn more about the mining and gold rush history of Prince William Sound as we paddle by the Cliff Mine. Watch for eagles as we pull into Gold Creek, a state marine park, for lunch and a perfect pit stop in between Shoup and Valdez. After lunch take a short hike up to the steep, basalt gorge littered with waterfalls and big trees. This is the northernmost example of the temperate rain forest which stretches from Coos Bay in Oregon to southern Alaska and Prince William Sound. The last three miles back to Valdez are good for seeing river otters, seals, sea lions and bird life. Pull back into the small boat harbor of Valdez mid to late afternoon. Be prepared for both intense periods of sunshine and for cold rainy days. Prince William Sound has a warm and wet coastal climate, typical of temperate rain forests. Temperatures range between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, but abnormally cold spells can happen when night time temperatures drop to the below 40s. You should come prepared for wet or dry weather. Sea kayaking fortunately is a sport that can easily be pursued while raining. Provided you are adequately dressed, seas tend to be calmer and wildlife is more easily approached. You should follow standard layering techniques in your choice of clothing.
We recommend you to bring minimum of 2 sets of warm clothes:
First Set
- Pants/Long Johns: preferably wool, fleece, or polypropylene - they are excellent sources of warmth even when wet. I recommend fleece clothing because it dries very quickly and retains its warmth when wet. Synthetics do dry faster than wool.
- Upper body: 3 layers of wool/polypropylene /or fleece, (i.e., long john top, shirt, jacket) and a windbreaker.
- Feet: Warm socks, one pair per day and 2 additional pairs. We recommend polypro and wool blend socks with standard high top rubber boots (called break-up boots in Alaska) for getting in and out of the boat, for hiking and tide pooling. I strongly recommend that you bring your own boots, so as to assure proper fit. However we do have a supply of boots available for you to use. Please let me know the sizes you need in ample time so that we can have them available.
- Hands: We provide pogies for fully guided clients. Polypro or wool gloves are also very good with rubberized dish washing gloves to put over them on rainy days Please bring at least 2 pairs of gloves
- Head: A ski cap and baseball cap.
- Rain Gear: Good rain gear is essential for protection from both rain and wind. It should fit well and be sturdy if you have a dry suit, paddling pants, jacket and/ or booties- bring them along.
Additional Set:
- This can be additional warm clothes in case you get too cold or wet & should include: a wool sweater, wool or fleece pants (or light weight wind pants), a wool gloves and/or mittens, wool or fleece hat.
Additional items:
- T-shirt, shorts, thin loose pants;
- Thin loose long sleeve shirt to prevent sunburns, sun glasses;
- Comfortable camp shoes (ex. Tennis shoe, sandals, camp moccasins);
- Sun screen 15-25 rating;
- Insect repellent and or mosquito headnet, small day pack for hiking;
- Croakies for sun glasses or glasses, water bottle;
- Pocket knife, watch;
- Waterproof flashlight or head lamp, extra batteries.
Your personal toilet items should include:
- Towel Toothbrush/paste;
- Biodegradable soap, hand towel for tent.
Camping Equipment: Note: We will provide these items for fully guided clients (if necessary)
- Sleeping pad;
- Sleeping bag –3 season. Down is not recommended;
- Tent – a full cover rainfly is recommended.
Optional Items:
- Camera, film and replacement batteries, binoculars;
- Books, umbrella;
- Fishing license: can be purchased anywhere in Alaska. Licenses can be purchased for a day, week, month, or year.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Minimum age: 12.
Also see tour packages in:
USA
Alaska
Canoeing/Kayaking/Rafting
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