VALDEZ PRIVATE FIELD GUIDE
A Private, 8‑Hour Charter Through Columbia Glacier’s Floating Icefield
An intimate, eight-hour private charter from Valdez to Columbia Glacier for up to six people—this guide lays out the route, wildlife and what to expect aboard the 30′ boat.
A Private, 8‑Hour Charter Through Columbia Glacier’s Floating Icefield.
Set out from Valdez on a personalized eight-hour voyage to Columbia Glacier in Prince William Sound. On a small 30′ boat limited to six passengers, your captain navigates the shifting maze of bergs and growlers, interprets the region’s natural and human history, and adjusts the pace so the group can linger where wildlife or spectacle demand more time.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Columbia Glacier’s vast tidewater front
Columbia Glacier is the largest tidewater glacier in Prince William Sound, covering over 400 square miles; it calves continuously, filling the approach with large icebergs and a floating field that the boat threads for close views.
A marine highway for whales, otters and seabirds
The ice field and surrounding habitat host an array of wildlife commonly seen on the tour, including sea otters, sea lions, seals, orcas, humpback whales, Dall’s porpoises, puffins and eagles.
A captain‑led, customizable private cruise
Operated as a private charter for up to six passengers on a 30′ boat, the trip is paced by your group’s interests—whether that means extra time at a sea lion haul‑out, extended orca watching, or a mid‑cruise stop to harvest a small iceberg (a ‘growler’) for your drinks.
What the day feels like
What the day feels like
The day is deliberate and flexible: depart Valdez in the morning, cruise roughly an hour to the Columbia Glacier area and spend the remainder of the eight‑hour outing navigating around Glacier Island at your own pace, watching cavings and wildlife while your captain describes the glacier’s formation, moraines and recent retreat.
THE ICEFIELD
Columbia Glacier’s vast tidewater front
Columbia Glacier is the largest tidewater glacier in Prince William Sound, covering over 400 square miles; it calves continuously, filling the approach with large icebergs and a floating field that the boat threads for close views.
THE WILDLIFE
A marine highway for whales, otters and seabirds
The ice field and surrounding habitat host an array of wildlife commonly seen on the tour, including sea otters, sea lions, seals, orcas, humpback whales, Dall’s porpoises, puffins and eagles.
THE ROUTE
A captain‑led, customizable private cruise
Operated as a private charter for up to six passengers on a 30′ boat, the trip is paced by your group’s interests—whether that means extra time at a sea lion haul‑out, extended orca watching, or a mid‑cruise stop to harvest a small iceberg (a ‘growler’) for your drinks.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this private charter suits — and who it doesn’t
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The operator will stop to collect small icebergs (‘growlers’) and can chip ice for drinks during the cruise; no additional, operator‑specified gear list is provided in the trip details.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the tour?
The excursion is an eight‑hour private charter; the schedule lists an 8:00 a.m. departure and a 4:00 p.m. return.
How many people can be on the boat?
The tour is a private charter limited to six passengers on a 30′ boat.
How far is Columbia Glacier from Valdez and how long does the transit take?
Columbia Glacier is about 30 miles from Valdez and the boat transit to the glacier area is roughly an hour.
What wildlife might we see?
Wildlife commonly seen on the tour includes sea otters, sea lions, seals, orcas, humpback whales, Dall’s porpoises, puffins and eagles, among other birds and mammals.
Can we get glacier ice for our drinks?
Yes—the crew will stop mid‑cruise to collect a small iceberg (a ‘growler’) and chip ice cubes for passengers’ drinks.
Is the trip narrated?
Yes—your local captain provides interpretation about the natural history, glacier formation, moraines and the glacier’s recent retreat, as well as regional human history.