Are you the type of person who finds humor in a bumper sticker which says “If it’s tourist season, why can’t we shoot ‘em?” On the other hand, you might be the type of amazed travell\er who thinks that the sight of the magnificent Aurora Borealis over Bear Lake is one of the things you must do before you die. Or, you might simply be looking for a unique adventure in the 49th and largest state in the US.
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No matter which of these perfectly suit your personality, what’s important is for you to be prepared for the wildlife and glaciers that await you when you go traveling to, and kayaking in Alaska.
Traveling All the Way to Anchorage, Valdez and Southcentral Alaska
If Alaska is one of the few states in the US that you have not paid a visit yet, now is as good a time as any to think about booking a trip here. No matter what it is that tickles your fancy as a traveler, you are bound to find something interesting to do in Alaska.
Let’s take the Southcentral part of the state as an example. This region is home to Alaska’s largest population center around Anchorage, which faces the North Pacific Ocean. Anchorage is the largest city and seaport in Alaska. Meanwhile, Valdez is the farthest ice-free port in the northern part of the US, which is situated right in the beginning of Richardson Highway.
So what do Anchorage, Valdez and Southcentral Alaska all have in common? These are great kayaking destinations where you can experience both wildlife and glaciers, while having the Alaskan adventure of a lifetime.
Valdez is a specific location on Prince William Sound which has exciting kayaking destinations. To reach Valdez from Anchorage, there’s no public transport but you can fly to the Valdez Airport through ERA Aviation. If the weather is clear, the 40-minute flight to get there is already an adventure by itself, because it offers magnificent views of the Chugach Mountains.
Your options other than flying are to drive to Richardson Highway, or get a four-hour boat trip across Prince William Sound. Once you’re already in Valdez, the lack of transport is hardly an issue because the town is small enough for you to walk or bike around, although car rental is available.
Before going on the ultimate Alaskan kayaking trip of a lifetime, you can explore the must-see sights within Valdez like the harbour, the duck flats, Mineral Creek, the Pipeline Terminal and the Valdez Museum.
Now comes the good part. If you traveled all the way to Valdez just so that you can experience a glacier-kayaking trip of a lifetime, you will not be disappointed. Book a tour with a local guide who will lead the way to a sea kayaking adventure across Prince William Sound. Depending on the number of days included on the tour, you can explore places like Shoup Bay – which is the main site for kayaking protected while surrounded by mountains, seabird colonies and the magnificent glaciers. Glacier tours, fishing charter trips, heli skiing, snowboarding, cross country skiing and ice climbing are the other outdoor Alaskan adventure trips that you can take.
The experience of going on a 5-day tour across the Alaskan glaciers and wildlife is like no other. If you wish to book a tour for yourself, go on a day trip with Anadyr Adventures or Pangaea Adventures which both have offices in Valdez, Alaska.