Valdez

Valdez reminds a lot of us of the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill. However, the area is fully recovered and a great place for visiting. Kayaking the Columbia glacier ice fields is easily one of my top all-time experiences.

If you are going to Wrangell St Elias NP from Anchorage, make sure to stop down to Valdez for a kayak tour of Columbia Glacier. It makes an epic stop before taking the ferry from Valdez to Whittier.

Columbia Glacier Kayaking

Columbia glacier was probably the highlight of an Alaska trip full of highlights. It is hard to describe how majestic it is to kayak through a glacial field with ice towering 50 feet overhead.

We used Pangaea Adventures and I would highly recommend them for a tour. Everything from the guides, to the kayaks, to the routes were amazing. Additionally, the guide we had was fun. Also, they seemed to have their safety procedures in place. Everyone was outfitted with tandem kayak, spray skirts and life jackets. Lastly, visit their Columbia Glacier day tour for more details.

My wife agrees, this is a must-do experience. Even if you are not an avid kayaker, this is a great tour for beginners and not a strenuous paddle. Just take your time and enjoy this amazing scenery. Additionally, we saw a lot of wildlife including sea lions and bald eagles.

car Ferry from Valdez to Whittier

After visiting Wrangell St Elias and Valdez for kayaking, the ferry from Valdez to Whittier is a nice option to load your car or RV and head over to Kanai Fjords NP. Not only is it a time saver from driving, but it is also a beautiful trip and you are likely to see some wildlife, such as sea lions and whales.

ALSO CONSIDER VISITING THESE NEARBY AREAS

Check out our 2 week Alaska itinerary! Additionally, consider taking the Ferry to Whittier and visiting Kenai Fjords NP. Also, visit this site’s main Alaska region page for more options.