Your Travel Guide to Whale Watching in Valdez, Alaska
Valdez, Alaska, is a beautiful city located on the coast of Prince William Sound. Many whale-watching tours feature a visit to the nearby Columbia Glacier, one of the largest tidewater glaciers across all of Alaska. Here’s the information you’ll need to visit Valdez for a whale watching trip.
About Valdez.
Valdez is typically thought of as an industrial town, and many people know it as the southern end of the Trans-Alaska oil pipeline. However, Valdez is also a great place to visit, especially for nature-lovers hoping to take in the sights.
The best time of year to visit is anytime during spring and summer, which is also when you’re most likely to see the local humpback whale population.
There are tons of activities to take advantage of during your stay in Valdez. Many people come for fishing, especially salmon and halibut. Others enjoy hiking and biking trails, glacier and whale watching tours, and museums that capture the oil and mining history of the town.
Most people choose to stay in hotels and B&Bs in the downtown Valdez area, but there are also many wonderful options for campsites and cabins for a more wilderness-focused experience.
Whale Populations Around Valdez.
During the spring and summer months, humpback whales abound in the waters around Valdez. Visitors can sometimes even view them right from the shore as they come into Port Valdez to feed. Kelsey Dock is one of the best places to watch for whales from the shore, and you’re more likely to get a good look at the whales using binoculars.
In addition to humpback whales, on a trip out of Valdez, you might see orcas, otters, seals, sea lines, and more.
Exploring Valdez and Whale Watching with Stans Stephens in Prince William Sound
I had an opportunity to go whale watching in Prince William Sound so I hopped on a flight, drove 300 miles and went on an adventure of a lifetime!
How to Book a Whale watching Tour in Valdez.
The tours operating out of Valdez tend to focus more heavily on viewing the glaciers in the area. However, on most glacier tours, you’ll also be treated to a display of marine life and whale-related commentary from the tour guides. The most popular tour in the area is the Stan Stephens Glacier Wildlife Cruise, but feel free to choose whichever option suits your needs and schedule.
If you have any questions about a specific tour operator, please reach out to me here.
Whale Watching Tips.
If your Valdez trip will be your first time whale watching, here are some tips to make the most of your experience.
Wear layers to make sure you’re comfortable if the weather changes. Assume that you’ll feel colder on the boat than you do on the shore, mostly due to the wind on the water.
Some people like to bring binoculars to see whales that are off in the distance.
You may not see whales right away, and that’s okay! It can take your tour guides some time to figure out where the whales are and get the boat in the right position.
Last but not least, don’t be afraid to engage with the crew. They’re often happy to answer your questions and give you more information about what you’re seeing.