Six Day Shoup Glacier to Columbia Glacier Kayak Tour

Day 1:

During the morning, the guide will familiarize the group with the agenda for the coming days and an introductory instruction on sea kayaking and packing the kayaks.

Following a scenic water taxi ride to the drop-off, the day will be spent exploring the upper bay of Shoup Glacier Marine State Park. We will find sea otters, seals, and a nice array of seabirds.

This will be our first intimate experience with a glacier. There are also decent hiking opportunities in this area, and the campsite is one of the best in the Sound! (Breakfast) (Lunch) (Dinner)

Day 2:

Paddling out of Shoup Bay, the group will head south, through the Valdez Narrows and into Valdez Arm. Our destination for the evening will be Sawmill Bay Marine State Park, a protected and pretty bay rimmed with rainforest and lofty peaks.

En route, we'll paddle a dramatic coastline adorned with towering snow-capped peaks and magnificent waterfalls cascading down from the cliffs above.

Set up a comfortable camp site, and in the evening we can paddle into ""Bear's Kitchen"" to look for black bear feeding on salmon. (Breakfast) (Lunch) (Dinner)

Day 3:

After a tranquil evening in Sawmill Bay, venture out into the Valdez Arm for a relaxing paddle along a brilliant coastline to one of our favorite camping beaches.

This wondrous stretch of shore has a handy, scenic, rushing watersource at one end. The beach also offers expansive views east across Valdez Arm and south into Prince William Sound. A great place to enjoy a camp fire and evening stories.

Should time permit, a walk in the rainforest is always a great option here, too. (Breakfast) (Lunch) (Dinner)

Day 4:

A good push into the Sound and around Point Freemantle to the Columbia Glacier area. A full day of paddling brings us to Heather Bay, a well-protected slice of emerald water and home to a wide variety of waterfowl and marine mammals. It is not uncommon to see rafts of thirty or more sea otters here.

Born in the heart of the Chugach Mountains, the Columbia Glacier is the largest tidewater glacier in Prince William Sound. Views of snow capped peaks and towering icebergs abound! (Breakfast) (Lunch) (Dinner)

Day 5:

Our day will be spent in Heather and Columbia Bays exploring the ice of Columbia Glacier. This day offers relaxing paddling and hiking opportunities as well. The diverse wildlife is a treat on all of our visits.

We will possibly stay at the same camp site to give a more relaxed pace to the day, or sometimes we'll make the push north toward the face, or perhaps instead we'll cross south to Glacier Island in the evening.

The weather and group's pace and desire will determine the destination. (Breakfast) (Lunch) (Dinner)

Day 6:

Our final day starts early with a paddle out of Heather Bay and crossing to Glacier Island (unless we are already camped there). Weather permitting, by midday we'll be turning Bull Head for the experience of a lifetime. Here we get to paddle with a colony of Stellar Sea Lions and possibly even humpback whales. Keep an eye out for puffin and cormorants inhabiting the caves lining the cliff-ridden shoreline.

Pull out onto a secluded beach for a bite, hike and unpack. The motor boat will pick us up after lunch for the victorious shuttle back to Valdez. (Breakfast) (Lunch)

Note: The pace and itinerary of this tour can vary from trip to trip. It is common to camp on Glacier Island on night 5 instead of in Heather Bay, but sometimes we end up staying in Heather Bay or Columbia Bay until the last day as described above. It just comes down to weather, pace and preference. Any which way, you style! Also, it is important to note, that later in the summer, the weather can begin to deteriorate in the Sound (these can also be some of the sweetest days of the year!), and based on forecasts, we often flip the itinerary to do it in reverse, and instead of a pickup at Shoup at the end, you'll paddle right back into the Valdez Harbor!

• 2 synthetic T-shirts
• 1 pair of shorts (quick dry)
• 1-2 pairs of long underwear
• 1-2 lightweight polypro shirts
• 1 medium weight polypro/fleece shirt
• 1 Heavy fleece jacket -3-6 Pairs of wool or other synthetic socks
• 2 Pairs of pants (1 comfortable light nylon or polyester and 1 medium weight fleece or polyester)
• Underwear (again, avoid cotton. Yes, they do make them!)
• 1 Rain jacket 100% waterproof, hooded (coated nylon with taped seems or downright rubber are best). See breathable fabric note below!
• 1 Pair of rain pants 100% waterproof (coated nylon with taped seems or downright rubber are best). See breathable fabric note below!
• 1 to 2 Pairs warm gloves (wool or polypro gloves) (1-liner glove and one midweight glove)
• Warm hat (fleece or wool) and/or wide-brimmed rain hat
• Sun glasses
• Baseball or sun hat for sunny days (a rain hat can double as a sun hat)
• 1 Pair of comfortable sneakers or sandals
• Sunscreen & lip protection
• Water bottle
• Toiletries & personal medical kit. Personal kit containing the following (insect repellent, anti-bacterial hand gel, small amount of Ibuprofen or similar OTC medication, a few Band-Aids, a small bag of tissues, Mole-Skin)

Optional Items:

• Full rim rain hat (great to have)
• Binoculars
• Camera
• Calf high rubber boots (we provide these if you don’t want to bring your own)
• Extra stuff sacks (variety of sizes and colors)
• Personal tent (we supply tents; However, some people like to bring their own)
• Sleeping bag -0 to 20 degree synthetic (no down). We supply sleeping bags, but you may bring your own.
• Sleeping pad (We supply a sleeping pad, but many people bring their own)
• Fishing gear
• Small flashlight (headlamp) for tours after the 2nd week in July
• Personal insulated drinking mug

Important Note About Breathable Fabrics: Gore-tex and other so-called waterproof breathable fabrics are not waterproof enough to stay dry during long rainy days. If you really want to bring a breathable jacket or pants, you MUST re-treat the outside of the garment with a new waterproof coating (DWR). The DWR (durable water repellent) that your garment is treated with new will wear out in a short time. Contact us for more information. Bring extra clothes for before and after the tour. You are welcome to bring any kind of comfortable clothing you wish for around town, but we cannot stress enough the importance of not wearing cotton on our tour. Temperatures in town can range from the mid forties to lower eighties. We will keep all your extra, unneeded items at our office in town while your’e out camping.

You may see sea otters, harbor seals, Steller sea lions, black bears, bald eagles, puffins, and a variety of seabirds. Whale sightings (especially humpbacks and orcas) are possible, particularly near Columbia Glacier and Glacier Island.

You’ll sleep in tents at remote beach campsites selected by your guides. There are no developed facilities, but your guides will set up a Leave No Trace-style backcountry toilet system. Expect rustic but beautiful wilderness camping!

Prince William Sound weather can change quickly. Expect a mix of sun, clouds, rain, and possibly wind. Highs in summer range from the upper 40s to mid 60s°F. Proper layering and waterproof outerwear will keep you comfortable in any condition.

We use stable, double (tandem) sea kayaks for this trip. These are ideal for long distances, variable conditions, and accommodating paddlers of all experience levels.

You’ll paddle among the icebergs at the glacier’s outer moraine and get impressive views of the glacier face, but due to safety concerns, we maintain a safe distance from actively calving ice.

Tours operate rain or shine, and Alaska’s coastal weather can be unpredictable. Your guides will assess conditions for safety and adjust the itinerary if needed. In rare cases of severe weather, the trip may be rescheduled or refunded.

Prince William Sound’s water is very cold year-round, usually around 40–50°F (4–10°C). That’s why we provide all necessary gear, including splash skirts and PFDs (life jackets), to keep you safe and comfortable.

This is Alaska—chances are you’ll experience both! We provide quality dry gear and rain protection, but dressing in layers and following our gear list will help keep you comfortable.

Group sizes are small: 2–6 guests with 1–2 guides. The maximum is 8 guests.

Absolutely - at checkout, select the option for a private trip to have an exclusive experience just for you and your group of up to 8 guests.