Columbia Glacier Cruise from Valdez
Recommended by 99% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Alaska, USA
- 6 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Discover the magic of Alaska on this 7-hour Columbia Glacier cruise from Valdez. 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. Look out for wildlife along the way; if you’re lucky you could spot porpoises, puffins, sea lions and sea otters among other creatures. A delicious lunch will be provided and a professional guide will be on hand to answer any questions you may have about this unique and pristine natural area.
- Spot an array of natural wildlife including puffins, sea lions and seals
- See the area’s robust commercial fishing operations
- Learn about the area’s history and culture from an informative guide and local crew
- Feast on a delicious lunch
What's Included
- Lunch: Served around 12:00 PM is a light soup lunch.
- Light refreshments: Complimentary coffee, tea and water.
- Gratuities
- Food and drinks: A cash based snack bar with snacks and soda is on board.
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Stan Stephens Glacier & Wildlife Cruises112 N Harbor Dr, Valdez, AK 99686, USA
Address: 112 N Harbor Drive. Located behind the Best Western Valdez Harbor Inn Directions: Please park along the west end of North Harbor Drive. Walk along the front of the Best Western Hotel windows to our office that is built on pilings over the water just above the Tour Dock in Valdez.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
1
Columbia Glacier
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
2
Prince William Sound
6 hours • Admission Ticket Included
3
Stan Stephens Glacier & Wildlife Cruises
6 hours • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- 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.
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 149 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Nancy_C
Excellent cruise, very knowledgeable, food was delicious! They would stop the boat to see the wildlife as we passed them. Got as close as law allowed to the glaciers. All who worked on the boat were very friendly. Can't say enough positive things about the whole day!!
Reviews
4.9
based on 246 reviews
JohnorKathy_H, Oct 2025
This was a very good experience, the ship was excellent, the staff was great in service, and the views were magnificent.
Joseph_J, Sep 2025
It's amazing! This is be best thing I've ever done. The crew was so nice. The captain was very knowledgeable about the area and wildlife.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
We are happy you had a good time, thanks for sharing your experiences. We hope to see you again next time you are in Valdez.
Marilyn_S, Sep 2025
Ship’s Captain very informative and had relaxing feeling for enjoyable experience. Good service good. Needed better tasting chowder. Only tasted onion,
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thanks for traveling with us, we appreciate the feedback it help us continue to improve. We hope the rest of your travels in Alaska went well.
JOYCE_S, Sep 2025
This was an unbelievable day of viewing glaciers and wildlife. We saw a pod of Orcas, a group of sea lions, a raft of sea otters, puffins, bald eagles, and more. Our captain was great and provided informative content along the way. Our light lunch was delicious and just enough.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
We are glad you enjoyed the Sound as much as we enjoy sharing it with travelers. Have a safe journey as you travel home.
Nancy_C, Sep 2025
Excellent cruise, very knowledgeable, food was delicious! They would stop the boat to see the wildlife as we passed them. Got as close as law allowed to the glaciers. All who worked on the boat were very friendly. Can't say enough positive things about the whole day!!
Response from Host, Sep 2025
We are so happy that you enjoyed your day on the Sound with us! Thanks for taking the time to write a review. We hope the rest of your AK travels went well.
asghar_g, Aug 2025
A very scenic and informative boat tour of the Columbia glacier with views of whales, otters , seals along the way. Highly recommended
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thanks so much. Enjoy the rest of your travels.
Michelle_N, Aug 2025
It was an amazing experience with Allan as the captain who explained everything in detail to us. He explained in detail about each place that we passed by in the cruise. We saw some otters and sea lions. Truly a great experience. Will definitely recommend this trip to family and friends.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thanks for the recommendation. We are glad you spend the day on the Sound with us. We hope you enjoy the rest of your travels in Alaska.
MarthaMitchell, Aug 2025
Captain and crew were great. Lots of room inside ship for eating, card playing, etc. Light lunch was soup, bagel, cream cheese, water, oreos. Also provided was lemonade, selection of teas, and coffee. Ride was smooth . Saw humpback whales, orcas, harbor seals, otters.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thanks for the review and for traveling with us. We are glad you enjoyed your day on the Sound. Safe travels.
Keith_L, Aug 2025
We ended our time in Alaska with an awesome experience. From the sea otters, to the whales, the sea lions and the glaciers it was an amazing and breathtaking look at the Alaskan coast. The staff was excellent. The captain, was personable, knowledgeable and you could tell he enjoyed himself. The sailing was smooth.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thanks so much for taking the time to review your trip with us. We are happy you enjoyed you time on the Sound. Safe travels home.
Wilma_P, Jul 2025
I cannot say enough good things about this tour. The captain who was also the narrator was very professional and did his best to give us the best possible experience. The boat was comfortable and the light lunch was excellent. The scenery and the wildlife did not disappoint.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
So glad yo enjoyed your time on the Sound. We hope to see you on board again next time you are in Vadlez.
Debra_G, Jul 2025
Great crew, good amount of time taken to view the wildlife. Ample time spent at the glacier. Thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thanks for traveling with us. Hope to see you on board the rest of the way!
Doris_H, Jul 2025
Bring games or other activities for the trip back from the glacier for the kids and a good book or pillow for the adults.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thanks for traveling with us, and yes, you are welcome to bring something to assist kids pass the time.
Billy_N, Jul 2025
The staff was awesome. I especially liked the narration from the ship captain. He was so informative. The crew was so pleasant and gave us some great local advice for restaurants
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thanks for traveling with us, we are so happy you enjoyed your time on board. We hope the rest of your travels go well.
Sheila_K, Jun 2025
This tour was awesome. Seeing the Glaciers up close was so cool and even parts breaking off into the water. Our captain pointed out lots of water mammals and different birds along the way.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Thanks for traveling with us. We are glad you enjoyed your journey. Safe travels
David_C, Jun 2025
Great experience - weather was good and tour guide kept us informed on what we were seeing. Nice facilities on boat. Recommend this tour!
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Thanks for traveling with us! We are glad you enjoyed tour. Enjoy the rest of your Alaskan travels.
Matthew_H, May 2025
It was totally awesome. The boat was super clean and well maintained. The captain could not have done a better job both operating and narrating.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Thanks for traveling with us. We hope to see you next time you are in Valdez!
Elizabeth_J, Sep 2024
Fantastic trip! Crew was very knowledgeable and friendly. Took time to stop and wait whenever animals were spotted. Such an incredible place!
Rob_H, Aug 2024
Extremely beautiful
It would have been nice if a credit would have been offered to me due to the fact that a friend bailed out at the last moment
Gina_O, Jun 2024
Greatest experience of my life so far. The crew was wonderful and the captain was awesome! The chowder they served was super yummy.
But the views were insane. You will not regret this trip.
Diane_P, Jun 2024
Great trip, Capt. Kaleb and crew were informative and plesant. Views, glacier and wildlife sighting were great!
Naama_B, Jun 2024
Amazing day at sea yesterday!
The Captain - knows his way in the ocean, explains and shows the wonders of the different bays and different creatures living there.
The crew was very friendly and the experience was a one-in-a-lifetime!
Edward_H, Jun 2024
The captain was extremely knowledgeable, had a good manner and the glacier itself was spectacular. A good experience on the boat, well worth it
Robert_T, May 2024
The weather was perfect for our cruise to Columbia Glacier out of Valdez. The ship looked brand new and was spotlessly clean. The staff were extremely helpful and friendly. The captain was not only an expert at plying the waters in this complicated area, but also an expert on the flora and fauna in the region, as well as the geological and social history of the area. The staff regularly spotted wildlife, and the captain regularly slowed down the boat to move quietly closer to the object concerned, and then gave expert narrative on what we were seeing. Lunch was a delicious bowl of clam chowder, a bagel and cookies. Coffee, tea and water were free. The ship has a capacity of about 90, but there were only about 40 on board for our tour since it was early in the season. My husband and I (a gay couple) highly recommend this cruise.
Lori_H, Sep 2023
Was a nice way to spend the day. The baot was clean and provided viewing everywhere. Bring snacks. Good trip.
Response from Host, Sep 2023
Thanks for traveling with us. We hope the rest of your travels are going well.
Abigail_N, Aug 2023
The whole cruise was a delightful experience! The captain and crew were great! Lunch was good...the clam chowder was served hot with a lightly toasted bagel.
Response from Host, Sep 2023
We are glad you enjoyed your day on Prince William Sound. Hope to see you next time you are in Valdez.
Rajan_I, Aug 2023
I booked through Viator and got a 10% discount.
They even let me cancel one reservation with a full refund just 1 day before the trip.
Response from Host, Aug 2023
Glad you are happy with your experience.
Moshe_G, Aug 2023
Fun! What a vast and stunning nature! A real experience to sail to see an amazing glacier, its surroundings and also encounter wonderful animals such as sea otters, sea lions, whales, dolphins in real life!!
Response from Host, Aug 2023
We are so happy that you enjoyed you travels with us. Thank you for taking the time to review our company. We hope the remainder of your travels in Alaska went well. Take care.
Jackie_S, Jul 2023
Our family had a great experience! Captain Amanda was very knowledgeable and friendly.
We saw sea otters, humpback whales, sea lions, seals, another type of whale and porpoises.
Response from Host, Jul 2023
Thanks for traveling with us. We are glad you enjoyed your time in Prince William Sound. We hope to see you again next time you are in Valdez.
Preshank_S, Jun 2023
Really clean and nice boat. Ample amount of coffe, tea and dinner served was prepared on boat and served. Staff was helpful and super knowledgeable. Captain made sure that we got to see whale, dolphin and glaciers from pretty nearby. It was relaxing journey with no hush. We saw lot of icebergs and glaciers.
Response from Host, Jul 2023
Thanks for traveling with us and thanks for taking the time to write a review! We are glad you enjoyed your trip through Prince William Sound with us. We hope to see you back on board next time you are in Valdez.
RandallL_C, May 2023
The Ship was immaculate, the best maintained boat I have set foot on. Captain and crew were exceptionally helpful, professional and knowledgeable. Highly recommend
Response from Host, May 2023
Thanks for traveling with us. We are happy you enjoyed your time on Prince William Sound. Enjoy the rest of Alaska.
From $185.13
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Columbia Glacier Cruise from Valdez
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Free Cancellation
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