My Essential Alaska Travel Resources :
There are plenty of travel companies out there, but these are my favorite websites and resources for planning an unforgettable trip to Alaska. This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. For flights, I recommend using Hopper to compare the cheapest dates to travel to Alaska. Car rentals, arguably the best way to see Alaska, are best through Discover Cars! I always use Expedia's easy-to-use platform to compare the best rates. To keep cell service if you're traveling internationally, I use Airalo’s easy to purchase eSIM’s (no installation required), and NordVPN to stay safe while connecting to different wifi. For fun things to do, I recommend Viator or Get Your Guide to find the best tours in the area. Just in case, Safetywing is the insurance I always use for travel insurance. Lastly, my Alaska packing list for your travels to the Last Frontier.
Getting to Prince William Sound & Where to Stay
In order to explore Prince William Sound, you'll want to either base yourself in Whittier or in Valdez. There are other cities along the coasts of the Sound, like Cordova and Tatitlek, but these are harder to get to and don't offer as many (if any) places to stay. Because Prince William Sound covers over 10,000 square miles and 3,800 miles of coastline, it's nearly impossible to explore it all. Even though there is still wildlife in the area, numbers decreased significantly in 1989 when the Exxon Valdez Oil Tanker spilled over 11 million gallons of oil into Prince William Sound. At the time, there were no procedures or rules in place to clean it up, and it's still considered one of the worst and largest natural disasters in the entire United States history with an estimated hundreds of thousands of wildlife deaths.
If you're wanting to spend a few days exploring Prince William Sound, you'll either want to base out of Whittier or Valdez. Whittier is a great option for those wanting to avoid a long drive, however figuring out where to stay in Whittier can be a bit of a challenge. Valdez is great for those who are interested in a road trip, and has quite a few more options if you're looking for a place to stay. Both places have plenty of ways to explore Prince William Sound!
My Favorite Tours in Prince William Sound :
-> 26 Glacier Cruise from Whittier -> Mears Glacier Cruise from Valdez -> Columbia Glacier Cruise from Valdez
7 Best Experiences in Prince William Sound
1. Lazy Otter Charters, Whittier
This private boat charter leaves out of Whittier, and it's truly one of the best glacier and wildlife tours I've been on. When my husband and I went out it was just us, our guide, and one other group of 3, so they really catered to us and what we wanted to see in Prince William Sound. Because you head out on a smaller boat, they're able to get you up close to wildlife, including any wildlife you see on shore, like bears! If you're looking for a personalized experience in Prince William Sound, then this is definitely the tour for you.
2. 26 Glacier Cruise, Whittier
If Lazy Otter Charters is a bit more than what you're wanting to pay, Phillip Cruises' 26 Glacier Cruise also operates out of Whittier, and offers guests a tour of Prince William Sound at an easier price point. On their tour you'll see 26 glaciers - although most of them are in the distance, and have a chance to spot wildlife! Compared to Lazy Otter Charters tours with 6 guests, the 26 Glacier Cruise has about 300 - so it's a completely different experience - but still a great way to experience Prince William Sound and enjoy the incredible views! 
3. Glacier Jetski Adventures, Whittier
One of my personal favorite tours out of Whittier is jet skiing in Prince William Sound! This is easily one of the most unique ways to experience the sound, and definitely the most exciting. Even though you head out about 60 miles, it's just a fraction of the true size of the Sound, and because of the noise of the jet skis you likely won't see much wildlife - but it's a fun way to take in the views! 
4. Alaska Marine Highway, Whittier & Valdez
If you're wanting to see as much of Prince William Sound as possible, then the best option is taking a trip from Whittier to Valdez (or Valdez to Whittier) on the Alaska Marine Highway. It can be a bit pricey if you take your car on, but it's a unique experience and turns into one of the most unique road trips! When my husband and I went, we began in Whittier, took the ferry over to Valdez, and drove back to Anchorage from there (about a 6 hour drive). You get to enjoy all the incredible views, and if you're lucky you'll see some wildlife on the way!
5. Kayaking Tours, Whittier & Valdez
Like the Alaska Marine Highway, you can also find guided kayaking tours in both Whittier and Valdez. Because you see so little of Prince William Sound when kayaking compared to a cruise or other tour, I don't recommend if you're wanting to see as much of the Sound as possible. However, if you're wanting to explore the coastlines and have some of the best chances to see wildlife, then kayaking might be for you! For guided tours I would look into Lazy Otter Charters out of Whittier or Anadyr Adventures out of Valdez. 
6. Stan Stephens, Valdez
A great way to experience the area of Prince William Sound near Valdez is heading out on a glacier & wildlife cruise with Stan Stephens Cruises! I've headed out on their tours 3 times now, and each time has been excellent. They offer tours to both Columbia Glacier and to Mears Glacier depending on how far out in Prince William Sound you want to go, with the Mears Glacier tour heading out a little further. Whichever you decide, you'll have an incredible experience, and the views in Prince William Sound near Valdez are some of the best I've ever seen on a glacier cruise. 
7. LuLu Belle, Valdez
Another option out of Valdez that explores Prince William Sound is heading out with Captain Fred on his hand built yacht, the Lulu Belle! If you're wanting a unique experience, then this is the tour for you, and Captain Fred's laid back adventure style had us having an absolute blast on his tour! Unlike other glacier and wildlife tours in Alaska, he truly gets you much closer to the coastlines and glaciers than other tours.
Watch My Prince William Sound Adventures Here!
Other Valdez & Whittier Blog Posts :
-> 9 Best Things to Do in Whittier -> 11 Best Things to Do in Valdez
Pin this Prince William Sound Guide for Later!
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Hi, I'm Deborah! In 2021 my husband Tyler convinced me to move to Alaska. After living here for a year (then leaving to take a year long world trip) we realized there was no place we loved more. So now we're back - and I'm here to share all my best tips and hidden gems to make Your Alaskan Adventures the best they can be. \\\ My blog is free to read, but some links may be affiliates. This means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you. Learn more here. \\\ |
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