Meares Glacier Cruise Valdez: Prince William Sound Wildlife

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Free cancellation

1/7

Duration8h

GroupUp to 145

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

Eight Hours on Prince William Sound Watching Glaciers Calve and Seals Haul Out

You board in Valdez, cruise Prince William Sound for seven and a half hours watching glaciers and wildlife, and return with lunch and snacks included. The long duration means you see more animals and spend real time at the glacier face instead of a quick pass-by. Bring a camera, layers for the water, and if you have special dietary needs beyond vegetarian, pack your own meals.

Step-by-step itinerary

Meares Glacier Cruise and Wildlife Viewing

Check in at office one hour before
Cruise Prince William Sound waters
View Meares Glacier face
Observe wildlife along journey

The Experience

The boat leaves the dock in Valdez an hour after you check in, and then you're moving into Prince William Sound with the engine steady beneath you and the water opening up ahead. The Meares Glacier cruise runs 7.5 to 8 hours total, which is long enough to actually sit with the place instead of rushing through it — you're not racing to five viewpoints before the light goes. The sound itself is the draw: you're cruising past the face of Meares Glacier, watching for the animals that live in these waters year-round.

What makes this different from a quick glacier tour is the time spent looking. Seals, sea otters, sea lions, puffins, eagles, whales and porpoise move through Prince William Sound on their own schedule, not yours, so the guide slows down when something appears and you get to watch instead of just photograph. A bagel snack comes around 10:30 AM, then lunch around 1:30 PM — both included, which means you're not eating a sandwich you packed three hours earlier. Coffee, tea and water stay available all day, so you're not managing thirst on top of watching the water.

The boat is wheelchair accessible and the pace suits all fitness levels, which matters on a day this long — you're sitting most of the time, moving only when wildlife appears or the glacier comes into view. If you have dietary restrictions beyond vegetarian, bring your own food; the crew will work with you, but the standard menu is what it is. Children need an adult with them, and infants can ride in a stroller if that's easier than holding them for eight hours.

What’s included

Your day includes check-in at the Valdez office one hour before departure, the full 7.5 to 8 hour cruise through Prince William Sound to Meares Glacier, a bagel snack around 10:30 AM, lunch around 1:30 PM, and complimentary coffee, tea and water served throughout. The boat is wheelchair accessible and suitable for all fitness levels.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPets welcome

Operated by Stan Stephens Cruises Glacier & Wildlife Cruises

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to spend a full day on the water watching glaciers and wildlife without arranging your own boat or managing the timing — the eight-hour window is what makes it possible to see animals on their own schedule instead of rushing between stops.