Duration: approx 6hrs. Learn about mining, oil shipping, the 1964 earthquake, and fishing history, and as well as stories about the first people to explore and live in the area. Rounding Heather Island, the catamaran soon enters Columbia Bay. The face is more than 3 miles wide and is rapidly moving backward at a rate of 4 feet per day in the summer! It is also one of the most active glaciers in the world. Enjoy a comfortable and personal 8-hour Columbia Glacier Tours on our 30′ boat with only 6 passengers. Valdez, AK 99686, Toll-Free: 866-867-1297 You can see Columbia Glacier on a day cruise from Valdez . Alaska (AK) Valdez ; Things to Do in Valdez ; Columbia Glacier; Search. Our award winning glacier cruises depart from Whittier Alaska - the Gateway to Prince William Sound. Geologic Formations. This 6-hour journey through Prince William Sound will feature a visit to the Columbia Glacier area where you have a chance to view history in the making as Columbia Glacier retreats back into the Chugach Mountains. Book your tickets online for Columbia Glacier, Valdez: See 242 reviews, articles, and 470 photos of Columbia Glacier, ranked No.1 on Tripadvisor among 14 attractions in Valdez. Look out for wildlife along the way; if you’re lucky you could spot porpoises, puffins, sea lions and sea otters among other … Columbia Glacier. Stan Stephens offers two daily tours, one of which features Columbia Glacier, the largest tidewater glacier in South Central Alaska, even though it is dropping an average 13 million tons of ice off of its face daily. Learn More >, Alaska Tour & Travel With steep glacier trails, many miners died attempting the crossing and Valdez did not flourish until after the construction of the Richardson Highway in 1899. We did splurge for a guided boat tour of Columbia Glacier. The Columbia Glacier is the largest tidewater glacier in Prince William Sound. Columbia Glacier Cruise. Be sure to bring a camera and binoculars. There are also power outlets for recharging cameras and phones. ... stephens sea otters prince william sound boat ride saw seals chowder great adventure bagels mile cruise icebergs captain wildlife glacier alaska kayaking weather stevens retreat highlights face activity. Stan Stephens Glacier & Wildlife Cruises operates the Glacier Spirit, offering 6-1/2- and 9-1/2-hour tours daily from mid-May through late September. Photo Gallery The sound is surrounded by the Chugach Mountains and an intricate coastline of fjords, rock beaches, and craggy sea stacks. The day tour starts in Port Valdez and slowly cruises into the Valdez Arm of Prince William Sound. 3900 Arctic Blvd, Ste 304 No smoking is allowed on the boat. 74 reviews. Of the many highlights you can expect, a visit to the massive floating icebergs of the Columbia Glacier, one of the largest tidewater glaciers in south-central Alaska, is truly a thrilling experience. Enjoy a Glacier/Wildlife Cruise from Valdez Alaska aboard the Lu-Lu Belle, the limousine of Prince William Sound. Here are the rates and operating dates for this product. US$143.59 per adult. Book your Alaska Cruise! 6 hours. Remember, we have a lowest price guarantee for nearly everything we sell. Get the full experience and book a tour. Located at the head of Unakwik Inlet, Meares Glacier is further out from Valdez than other glaciers like Shoup or Columbia, so tours to Meares will be longer. Valdez is about 100 miles or two scenic hours away by car. The Columbia Glacier Cruise is a great choice for guests staying at the Copper River Princess Lodge. Think Alaska. Passengers often see puffins and cormorants, sea lions and seals, Dall sheep and brown bear, and sometimes even orcas. This tour does not operate daily. Overview. Where Will You Travel Next? It's out of the way and you simply don't have time. Stan Stephens Cruises . ", Book Now with no risk, your deposit is fully refundable until 31 days prior to travel with the purchase of our Worry-Free Cancellation Waiver. The Columbia Glacier is an important tidewater glacier to monitor because of its present rapid retreat, its generation of icebergs, and its vicinity to oil-tanker traffic in and out of the Port of Valdez, Alaska. Columbia Glacier is the headline destination of this tour, however there are many other attractions along the way that your local captain and crew will share with you such as; a water based tour of the Trans Alaska Pipeline Terminal, a chance to witness commercial salmon fishing operations, and cascading waterfalls along the shoreline. On board you will have a chance to view Prince Williams Sound’s wildlife, including sea lions, sea otters, and whales. This cruise is a photographer’s dream. Popular: Booked by 258 travellers! Valdez is about 100 miles or two scenic hours away by car. After a lunch of chowder and bagels, the tour returns into Valdez at about 5 PM. Even on a sunny day the air coming off the glacier can be in the 40s. Departure times and locations are listed below. This 6-hour journey through Prince William Sound will feature a visit to the Columbia Glacier area where you have a chance to view history in the making as Columbia Glacier retreats back into … The tour was very informative, and they did an excellent job getting us right up in front of the glacier. Box 1297 2021 Alaska Glacier Cruises COVID-19 Guest Information Alaska Glacier and Wildlife Day Cruises. Each trip into this area is unique and our approach to Columbia is determined by the ice conditions we find. It snakes its way 32 miles through the Chugach Mountains before dumping into the Columbia Bay, about 40 miles by boat from Valdez. The sound's calm waters are home to a variety of marine wildlife. Each trip into this area is unique and our approach to Columbia is determined by the ice conditions we find. A light meal is served on board. Phillips Cruises and Tours, LLC provides Prince William Sound glacier cruises to Alaska residents and visitors from around the world. Stan Stephens Cruises offer a day cruise to Columbia Glacier in Prince William Sound departing from Valdez. A trio of barrier islands protect from the more tumultuous water in the Gulf of Alaska. Look out for wildlife, such as porpoises, puffins, sea lions, and sea otters, while you enjoy commentary from your tour guide. Head through the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Terminal and Columbia Bay before arriving at the glacier. Several companies offer Columbia Glacier tours from Valdez or Whittier. A visit to Columbia Bay is one of geologic significance. Valdez - Columbia/Meares Glacier Cruise - Alaska - USA Through the internet we contacted the people of this B&B for a glacier cruise. Visitors can navigate though chunks of glacial ice on a wildlife cruise, kayak day trip or helicopter tour and experience the Columbia Glacier spilling … 242 Reviews #1 of 14 things to do in Valdez. Steamship companies promoted the Valdez Glacier Trail as a better route than Skagway for miners to reach both the Klondike gold fields and the Copper River fields in interior Alaska. Go for a hike or kayak, visit the museum, cruise to massive Columbia Glacier. Columbia Glacier Cruise. Set out from Valdez and sail Alaskan waters on this cruise to Columbia Glacier. The Columbia Glacier is located 30 miles from Valdez, about an hour boat ride, and is the largest tide water glacier in Prince William Sound, encompassing over 400 square miles. Relying on public transport, you couldn't get to Valdez anyway except by flying. This day cruise takes passengers deep into that beautiful landscape for six hours of glacier and wildlife viewing. The wild surroundings are coastal Alaska at its best! The tour operator will provide direction to free parking for self-drivers. Head through the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Terminal and Columbia Bay before arriving at the glacier. Whether moody and grey, or clear and blue, the scenery around Valdez is stunning. Since the early 1980’s it has been retreating catastrophically from its terminal moraine, leaving […] I'm Captain Fred and I'd like to invite you to experience Alaska's wilderness, whales, other wildlife, and Prince William Sound's majestic glaciers, Valdez's busy harbor and the terminus of the world famous Trans Alaska Oil Pipe Line. A visit to Columbia Bay is one of geologic significance. The Lu-Lu Belle glacier cruise came highly recommended by our nomadic friends – the Snowmads. 242 Reviews #1 of 14 things to do in Valdez. Please check the schedule for this tour. Check in at the tour office on the west side of the Valdez Small Boat Harbor one hour prior to departure. Columbia Glacier is the second largest tidewater glacier in North America and the largest in Prince William Sound. Discover the magic of Alaska on this 7-hour Columbia Glacier cruise from Valdez. Columbia Glacier Cruise from Valdez. The tour boat has two levels with heated cabins on each, wrap-around exterior walkways, and viewing decks at the bow and stern. For independent travelers, Valdez is best reached by car. Columbia Glacier. This makes for exceptional glacier viewing, with guests routinely able to photograph huge chunks of ice breaking away and crashing dramatically into the otherwise still water. Valdez, AK 99686. More info. If your time or budget is more limited, you will want to consider our 6-hour Columbia Glacier Cruise. Columbia Glacier, the largest tidewater glacier in southcentral Alaska is in the middle of a historic retreat into the Chugach Mountains. Columbia Glacier Cruise from Valdez. I was totally unimpressed by the Columbia Glacier cruise.You don't get anywhere near the glacier to see calving, like you do on the Whittier glacier cruises.IMO the scenery is nicer on the Whittier tours too. It is the last tidewater glacier in North America. A vegetarian lunch option is available when requested in advance. Fax: 907-835-3765, Physical  Address: VALS#03 Columbia Glacier Sea Kayaking Tour The largest tidewater glacier in Prince William Sound and the second largest in the entire state of Alaska, Columbia Glacier is 25 miles from Valdez and covers more than 400 square miles. 112 North Harbor Drive If so, how close did you get to the face of the glacier? The Columbia Glacier Cruise is a great choice for guests staying at the Copper River Princess Lodge. A local captain and crew will guide you through the Trans Alaska Pipeline Terminal and Columbia Bay before arriving at Columbia Glacier, the largest tidewater glacier in South Central Alaska. It is important to dress in layers for this day tour. 800-208-0200 or 907-245-0200. Set out from Valdez and sail Alaskan waters on this cruise to Columbia Glacier. Stan Stephens Glacier & Wildlife Cruises Explore Prince William Sound from Valdez with the Local Experts! Complimentary coffee, hot tea, lemonade, and water are available throughout the cruise. Don't worry if your desired date is sold out, submit a request and we will work hard to get more space or find a suitable alternative. Here are the two trips: Columbia Glacier Cruise, 6 hours To get a preview of this dramatic glacier, check out this really great time-lapse video of the Columbia Glacier recorded by Extreme Ice Survey, or this aerial video, filmed by Alaska.org’s Bob Kaufman from his … Our destination is the Columbia Glacier, the second-largest tidewater glacier in North America, but we will encounter all of unique sights along the way. There are also power outlets for recharging cameras and phones. Bring a rain jacket, hat, and gloves. The Columbia Glacier lies about 30 miles out of Valdez, which is on State Highway 4, about a 300-mile drive east of Anchorage. 10:30 a.m. *. Glide up close to one of the most active glaciers in the world, photograph the other-worldly icebergs that drift by and capture the remote life of otters, sea lions and eagles. Select a departure below to see current availability. Look out for wildlife, such as porpoises, puffins, sea lions, and sea otters, while you enjoy commentary from your tour guide. Since 1996, Pangaea Adventures offers guided sea kayak day tours, whitewater rafting trips, backpacking treks, sailing charters, & multi-sport adventures. Alaska Tour & Travel uses cookies to track your trip selections and favorites. Columbia Glacier Sea Kayak Day Tour – The Guide’s Choice Offering the best paddling, wildlife, and ice in Alaska, this trip is the reason you visit the Last Frontier. I want you to experience all this in comfort and luxury … Plan Now. Infants under the age of 2 may travel for free but must sit on an adult's lap. Seasickness is not generally a problem in the calm water of Prince William Sound, but if concerned, air on the side of caution and take preventatives before departing. If your time or budget is more limited, you will want to consider our 6-hour Columbia Glacier Cruise. Explore the quieter corners of Alaska’s exceptional Prince William Sound. Has anyone ever taken the Columbia Glacier tour out of Valdez using Stan Stephens as a vendor? This glacier and wildlife cruise features tidewater glaciers and Alaska's abundant marine wildlife. The owners have booked the glacier cruise for us and we only have to get our tickets at the ticket information and pay them. This Valdez glacier and wildlife cruise through Prince William Sound features a visit to Columbia Glacier. "They were very helpful in accommodating my handicapped wife on and off the boat. P.O. Click on a link for an interactive map. *2:30 PM Departure on May 27 & 31, June 16 & 20, July 6, 10, 26 & 30, August 15 & 19, Valdez Convention & Visitors Bureau - 2016, Mailing Address: Columbia Glacier: Columbia Glacier cruise - See 242 traveller reviews, 470 candid photos, and great deals for Valdez, AK, at Tripadvisor. 5/15/2021 – 9/19/2021. Book Now. In addition to the amazing ice in Columbia Bay, you will see wildlife along the way that calls the Sound home and have the opportunity to learn about the mining, oil shipping, earthquake, and fishing history of the area. 74 reviews. This full day cruise takes you through the remote and very beautiful Prince William Sound, past cascading waterfalls and glacier-carved fjords. Lunch includes a hearty bowl of clam chowder, a bagel, cream cheese, and cookies. The largest tidewater glacier in southcentral Alaska. Adult $140 / Child $70; 6 hours; 10:30 a.m. * 5/15/2021 – 9/19/2021; This 6-hour journey through Prince William Sound will feature a visit to the Columbia Glacier area where you have a chance to view history in the making as Columbia Glacier retreats back into the Chugach Mountains. Columbia Glacier: Columbia Glacier cruise - See 242 traveler reviews, 470 candid photos, and great deals for Valdez, AK, at Tripadvisor. Our excursions share with travelers Columbia Glacier or Meares Glacier as well as an opportunity to view sea lions, sea otters, seals, Bald Eagles, puffins, porpoise, Humpback Whales, or … Wear rubber-soled shoes. Child rates apply to children under the age of 13. Explore things to do in Valdez. The tour boat has two levels with heated cabins on each, wrap-around exterior walkways, and viewing decks at the bow and stern. Anchorage, AK 99503 Columbia Glacier: Columbia Glacier cruise - See 242 traveler reviews, 470 candid photos, and great deals for Valdez, AK, at Tripadvisor. Lu-Lu Belle Glacier Cruise. Adult $140 / Child $70. Join us this summer for a day cruise through Prince William Sound in Valdez, Alaska. Pouring from an elevation of 10,000 feet, the Columbia Glacier is the one of the largest tidewater glaciers in southcentral Alaska. Glacier cruise tours out of Valdez are available during the summer. Columbia Glacier, the largest tidewater glacier in southcentral Alaska is in the middle of a historic retreat into the Chugach Mountains. Geologic Formations.