Nestled in a wilderness area over twice the size of Yosemite National Park are Columbia and Heather Bays, a zone of extreme contrast.

Explore land recently unveiled after centuries under ice adjacent to undisturbed forests where salmon seasonally run streams under moss covered branches. Paddle the terminal moraine in search of icebergs grounded in the shallows. Hike to a viewpoint overlooking Columbia Bay or through spongy muskeg meadows towards a lake in Heather Bay. Search for berries or carnivorous sundew plants. This is a favorite area for sea otters. We pioneered this trip over 30 years ago and it’s still among our favorites.

Note: SORRY WE ARE NOT OFFERING THIS DESTINATION FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE 2025 SEASON. As Columbia Glacier continues its retreat, the amount of ice reaching this area has thinned dramatically and the glacier is no longer visible. There are days when no icebergs are within paddling distance. If your goal is to paddle with ice the Columbia Glacier Face or Valdez Glacier Lake trips are better options.

Duration: 10 hours, meeting at 8am

Rate: $365 per guest

Itinerary:

Prep 1 hour, Boat ride 3 hrs, Kayak 4 hrs, Shore time 2 hrs

8:00-9:00: Gear-up then board water taxi

9:00-10:30: Cruise Prince William Sound with a watchful eye for wildlife

10:30-12:30: Kayaking instruction and safety briefing then launch kayaks and explore

12:30-1:30: Shore break for lunch with a view and to stretch the legs

1:30-2:30: More kayak-based exploration

2:30-3:00: Shore break

3:00-4:00: Paddle

4:00-6pm: Board water taxi and cruise back to Valdez.

Out of courtesy to fellow paddlers and your guide, we ask that you arrive punctually for your trip packed with food, water and warm layers of clothing. All itineraries are approximations and may be altered.