Sea Kayaking

If you’ve always wanted to learn how to kayak, or if you know how and want to explore Prince William Sound [1] around Valdez [2] in style, contact Hedy Sarney of Anadyr Adventures (225 N. Harbor Dr., 907/835-2814 or 800/865-2925, www.anadyradventures.com [3]).

Trips range from a kid-friendly three-hour natural history tour ($75) to customized mother-ship multiple-night tours. Especially popular are eight-hour Shoup Glacier trips ($189) and 10-hour Columbia Glacier [4] paddles ($229), both of which include an open-water crossing by charter boat.

Anadyr’s most popular multiple-night trip is a five-day paddle that encompasses Columbia Glacier, Sawmill Bay, and Shoup Glacier ($965 or $1,225 with meals). Anadyr conducts other excursions of varying lengths, including boat-based and lodge-based trips, along with a remote drop-off and pickup service. They also rent kayaks, bikes, and camping gear, and the Alaskan arts and crafts sold here make it worth a visit even if you aren’t planning to paddle.

Pangaea Adventures (101 N. Harbor Dr., 907/835-8442 or 800/660-9637, www.alaskasummer.com [5]) also leads a wide range of sea kayaking trips. Least expensive is a two-hour paddle around the duck flats ($59), but more challenging are day trips to Gold Creek ($99), Shoup Glacier ($179), and Columbia Glacier ($229). The Columbia Glacier [4] trip lasts 10 hours and includes a water-taxi ride to and from the glacier, along with time to explore this magnificent place.

Longer trips are available, along with kayak rentals if you just want to head out on your own. Pangaea also leads ice-climbing trips to Worthington Glacier [6].