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 267 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Jacqueline_T, Jul 2026
Unfortunately, you typically can't get all that close to the main branch of the glacier because there is too much ice in the water. You still get a beautiful view though and they take you close to other branches. We saw lots of wildlife too: whales, sea lions, seals.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thanks for traveling with us! We are glad you enjoyed your journey overall. Safe travels on the rest of your journey.
Alisha_L, Jun 2026
The tour was excellent. Very impressed by the boat captain. He provided a thorough explanation of the wildlife, landscape and additional stories of the area. He was also very focused as he drove through the ice fields. Highly recommended.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thanks for traveling with us. We are happy you enjoyed your journey. Enjoy the rest of your Alaskan travels.
Thomas_H, Jun 2026
This is a great excursion with lots of interesting wildlife sightings and glacier views. The captain and crew were very nice and did a wonderful job. Highly recommend this excursion.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for traveling with us and for the recommendation. We hope you have a safe journey on the rest of your travels.
vitida_s, Jun 2026
The captain was knowledgeable. Saw many whales but they didn't come very close to the boat. Saw many sea otters and a lot of sea lions so. We had a good time. Supper was so so.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thanks for traveling with, we are happy you enjoyed your travels. Enjoy the rest of Alaska and we hope to see you again when you are in Valdez.
Richard_H, Jun 2026
The excursion was amazing! The trip was on a clean, comfortable boat. The crew was very courteous and the captain knew where to go to see amazing wildlife and marine life. His knowledge of the glaciers was exceptional. They have a heated, comfortable cabin with 2 decks and serve a nice, warm lunch. The heads (bathrooms), are clean and sanitary. He spotted and stopped for all to see whales, seals, birds, bears, mountain goats. They also have a nice collection of books for anyone to see.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thanks for traveling wit us and for taking the time to share your experience. We hope to see you again in the future when your return to Valdez.
Christi_L, Jun 2026
I wrote in my journal: Absolutely by far the BEST of Alaska so far. I loved loved loved it. Praise the Lord.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Wonderful news! We hope the rest of your Alaska travels go well.
Jay_C, Jun 2026
A terrific time on the water. We saw everything we wanted to see - whales, sea lions, otters, eagles ... the glacier was spectacular and our Captain/guide was helpful and informative. The soup and bagel was a nice touch. Can't say enough good things about this experience.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thanks for traveling with us and for taking the time to share your experience. Safe travels on the rest of your journey.
sarah_f, May 2026
Operator knew in advance ice bergs would prevent viewing the glacier, but gave us no notice until we were hours into the trip. We would not have taken an all-day boat ride had we known we would stop 16 miles before we could see it.
So far as the question below about whether I would recommend it - I took this same cruise a few years ago and it was great, but for the next several days at least, I am checking the No option.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for cruising with us. We are very sorry that you are frustrated with your journey on the Sound.
Currently we are having a very cold spring in Prince William Sound and that is impacting the direct access to Columbia Glacier. Typically, the ice has cleared allowing us to enter the Columbia Bay area further. However, this spring is not normal and is causing us to be held away.
Because of this we did add on additional time to explore Prince William Sound’s shorelines and added time with wildlife both on shore an in the water including sightings of Orca, Humpback Whales, Mountain Goats, Harbor Seal, sea otters, sea lions, Bald Eagles, puffins and an incredible number of sea birds.
The challenging with viewing Columbia Glacier is temporary and unique because of nature and temperatures.
Again, thank you for traveling with us and we hope you have safe travels on the rest of your journey.
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
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From $185.13
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Columbia Glacier Cruise from Valdez
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