About

Anadyr Adventures

Sea Kayaking Trips in Valdez, Alaska Since 1989

A passion for Alaskan glacier and wildlife tours in the Prince William Sound wilderness defines Anadyr Adventures, the original, and still the best kayaking outfitter in Valdez, Alaska. We pioneered kayak based exploring out of Valdez over 30 years ago and are as passionate as ever. So rest assured you’ve come to the right place.

Anadyr offers four ways to explore: extraordinary Day trips for those with limited time, multi-day Camping trips for the adventurous spirit, Mothership trips for those desiring the mobility and amenities of a support vessel, and Lodge trips for those who wish to explore from the comfort of a remote wilderness lodge.

Trip itineraries and routes focus on the scenic highlights, wildlife hotspots and historic sites of interest in Prince William Sound. Our offerings are designed to fit your schedule, budget and expectations, while our small group trips are the perfect model to provide you with an intimate experience and excellent customer service.

Anadyr is also pleased to offer sea kayaking instruction. Our goal is to teach you the skills to become a safe and proficient sea kayaker while passing on our love for the sport. Courses follow ACA guidelines and are taught by certified instructors that have years of paddling experience.

Anadyr Adventures is here to help you plan your Alaska vacation or reach your kayaking goals.

If you’re already an experienced kayaker and visiting Valdez, please don’t hesitate to visit our shop. We are proud to be the source for local knowledge and enjoy passing on advice regarding current paddling conditions and how to safe on the water.

We will forever remember our first impressions of Prince William Sound. We strive to present that same sense of wonderment and place to each guest we introduce to this area. That’s why Anadyr Adventures is committed to accomplishing business in an environmentally sensitive manner both in the office and the field. Our impact is low and sustainable tourism is in the forefront of our agenda. We seek to share the beauty of Prince William Sound wilderness while conveying respect for the land, water, wildlife, the people of the area and the guests we serve. We ask our guests to share a similar respect for this amazing wilderness.

Our Team

Scott Hocking, owner

Scott first came to Alaska in 1999 and began working with Anadyr in 2003. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point with a B.S. in Biology and Resource Management. Scott is a BCU canoe/kayak lifeguard, holds a 100 Ton Master license and an Able Seaman rating.

Aidan (Goose) Shafland, Operations manager

I’ve lived on the tropical beaches of Maui, run through the Hudson river valley, climbed the Sierra Nevada and visited the temple in Jerusalem. But I have finally found the holy of holies here in Valdez. My journey began 3 and 32 years ago in Oakland CA. Through the public school and transit systems I learned to navigate harsh environments and find connections with people in unexpected places. As my hair and beard have grown I’ve taken these skills from the concrete jungle into the wild places of North America. I enjoy reading the landscapes for deep history and meaning. Here in Valdez I am lucky enough to be able to take fellow wandering souls out to the glaciers and bays of PWS to observe the awesome power of mother nature in her raw and pure form. Jared is a level 2 ACA certified kayak instructor as well as a Wilderness First Responder.

Kaden (Bagel) Addler, Guide

Having lived on the sandy gulf beaches of Florida and up in the mountains of western North Carolina, I went on a quest to find the perfect combination of land and sea and Valdez definitely fits the bill.

After spending six months exploring and paddling in Chilean Patagonia, my passion for paddling and exploring the natural world grew to a point where I could do nothing to subdue my desire for more adventures and so I drove northwest to the most beautiful place I could imagine.

I am ecstatic to get to show you the breathtaking coastline of Prince William Sound and take you closer to things you wouldn’t otherwise be able to experience in quite the same way without a kayak.

Many of us, as humans, have lost our depth of connection to the natural world all around us and I hope that on your trip with us, you can rekindle this instinctual connection and feel a bit more at peace and also more aware of this planet we call home.

Aidan Shafland, Guide

Aidan grew up exploring the wilds of New York City, Rome and Central Scotland. Now he spends his summers exploring the wilds of the Prince William Sound. Sharing the beauty of our nation’s wild places has been a passion that he’s been lucky enough to turn into a profession. When not guiding people around the beauty of the Valdez area he can be found teaching children about nature in California, cutting trails in Colorado, or relaxing on the beach in Panama. As a certified sea kayaking instructor, a Leave No Trace master educator, a Scottish Mountain Leader and with a degree in Environmental Science and Outdoor Education, Aidan is joining us for his 6th season and couldn’t be more excited to step into the role of Guide Manager and continue to share his knowledge and love of the sound with anyone who’ll listen.

Jay Swartley, Guide

Growing up in Pennsylvania, Jay has spent his life playing outdoors. Spending early childhood summers canoeing and fishing on the Delaware River and high school years kayaking on local lakes and rivers. Snowboarding and mountains became a big part of his early adult life and he soon moved west to the Sierra Nevada to chase bigger adventure in larger mountains.

Chasing the dream of the greatest skiing and snowboarding on the planet initially led him to Alaska and the Chugach but it’s the lifestyle and the people that kept him coming back for more. Working as a ski patroller and a fly fishing guide along with many hours splitboarding in the Chugach eventually led him to his first job in Valdez as a ski/snowboard guide. The most rewarding part of guiding to him is hearing things like “best day of my life” or “experience I’ll never forget” from his clients, that’s what keeps him going everyday.