Serving Prince William Sound
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Columbia Glacier / Heather Bay Wildlife and Walking Tour
Group Tours Only
9 hour day
Activity Level slow/medium
Columbia Glacier is South Central Alaska’s largest tidewater glacier. This is a 9 hour guided boat and walking tour. You will be traveling on our fast, comfortable, heated vessel, “Kimberlin’s Kat”. The spacious deck allows every passenger plenty of room for moving about and taking pictures! Prince William Sound is beautiful; you will be amazed at the abundant wildlife and gorgeous scenery! Your guide will narrate your trip; you’ll learn about the history of Valdez- the 1898 Gold Rush, the construction of the trans-Alaska pipeline, the 1989 Valdez oil spill, the Cliff Mines, the 1964 earthquake (largest ever recorded in North America). You’ll learn about the different kinds of marine life that makes it’s home in the Sound, and the beautiful flora that envelopes the area. Your questions are always welcome during the tour.
SCHEDULE:
• 9:00 a.m. Departure from Valdez Small Boat Harbor, on the vessel “Kimberlins Kat”. Cruising from the Port of Valdez, you will travel through the Narrows, then the Valdez Arm, out to Heather Bay.
• 10:30: a.m. Arrive at Heather Bay/ Columbia Glacier. Captain will bring the vessel right to the shore. Spend a few minutes for a midmorning snack, and then head out with your guide on a refreshing walking tour. This is a slow/medium paced tour. Columbia Glacier is the focal point; and your guide will give you lots of information about this beautiful glacier. The surrounding waters of the glacier are dotted with beautiful, bluish icebergs that jut out from beneath the deep. A photographer’s paradise!
• 1:45 p.m. Enjoy a late, leisurely, lunch onboard, or take your food out on the beach and have your own picnic!
• 2:30 p.m. Explore Heather Bay and continue our tour as we cruise the forested beaches of the area, hoping to catch a glimpse of a the local wildlife; majestic bald eagles, playful sea otters, graceful whales, puffins, seals, sea otters, goats and even bears!
• 3:30 p.m. Captain Mike will taxi to the shrimp grounds to pull shrimp pots. Get your cameras ready for this truly Alaskan experience! He might even pull up an octopus!
• 4:00 p.m. Trip back to the Port of Valdez is a time to relax and take it all in! Time for more pictures and good conversation with your fellow travelers. Captain Mike might even teach you the “cod toss”, a fun, Alaskan game. We’ll let him explain.
• 6:00 p.m. Arrive back at the Port of Valdez. We thank you in advance for your business! If you have any questions or comments, we encourage you to come to our main office on Harbor Drive, directly across from the Harbormasters. We will be happy to assist you.
*(All times are approximate)
Trip Description- 9 hour day - Glacier and wildlife/sight-seeing on vessel for ½ of the time, the other ½ of the time will be getting out and exploring beautiful Heather Bay and viewing Columbia Glacier and the surrounding icebergs.
Ages- Suitable for adults & children
Clothes to wear- Warm, layered clothes and a jacket. Rain gear sometimes needed. Hat and light gloves if it’s a chilly day.
Comfortable, sturdy boots (or shoes that can withstand moisture) for walking/hiking on the beach.
Stuff to bring- Carry on bag with camera, extra film/ batteries, sunglasses, sunscreen, water bottle, favorite snacks, any personal items.
Weather- to check, please call the National Weather Service (907) 835-4505 or go to www.arh.noaa.gov
Otter Resting on iceberg
Reflection at Heather Bay
Columbia Glacier Ice Burst