Valdez

Valdez: Alaska's Gateway to Prince William Sound

Valdez sits at the head of a deep fjord on the northeastern shore of Prince William Sound — a position of staggering natural beauty that has also made it one of the most historically significant ports in Alaska. The town was established during the 1898 Klondike Gold Rush as a landing point for prospectors attempting the brutal overland route to the goldfields, and it has been shaped by dramatic events ever since: the 1964 Great Alaska Earthquake — the most powerful ever recorded in North America — destroyed the original town site entirely, and the community was relocated four miles to its present location. In 1989, the Exxon Valdez oil spill devastated the sound's ecosystem and brought the port unwanted worldwide attention. Today, Valdez has rebuilt both its infrastructure and its reputation, and the natural beauty of Prince William Sound has recovered to a remarkable degree.

The character of Valdez is defined by the glaciers and mountains that surround it on every side. The town sits at sea level, but the Chugach Mountains rise immediately behind it to peaks exceeding four thousand metres, their flanks draped in glaciers that feed waterfalls cascading directly into the fjord. The Columbia Glacier — one of the largest tidewater glaciers in North America — calves icebergs into the sound with a frequency and drama that makes glacier cruises from Valdez one of the premier wildlife and scenic experiences in Alaska. The Worthington Glacier, accessible by road just outside town, allows visitors to walk up to the face of an active glacier — an encounter with deep geological time that requires no boat, no guide, and no prior experience.

The food culture of Valdez reflects its position as a commercial fishing port. Silver (coho) salmon, halibut, and rockfish are the headline species, and the fishing charter industry is a significant part of the local economy. Fresh-caught halibut — pan-seared, grilled, or beer-battered and fried — is served at the harbour-front restaurants with a straightforward simplicity that lets the quality of the fish speak for itself. During the summer salmon runs, the town's economy revolves around the processing and shipping of millions of pounds of wild Alaska salmon. The annual Silver Salmon Derby in August draws anglers from across the state for a week-long competition that doubles as the social event of the Valdez summer.

Prince William Sound, accessible from Valdez by boat, kayak, or floatplane, is one of the most spectacular marine environments in Alaska. The sound encompasses over fifteen thousand square kilometres of sheltered water, tidewater glaciers, and forested islands that support populations of sea otters, harbour seals, Steller sea lions, and humpback whales. The Meares Glacier and Surprise Glacier, both accessible by day cruise from Valdez, offer close encounters with actively calving ice in settings of extraordinary beauty. The sound's kayaking is world-class — multi-day trips through the western fjords provide access to otter-filled kelp forests, sea lion haul-outs, and beaches accessible only by water.

Azamara, HX Expeditions, Silversea, and Viking call at Valdez on their Alaska itineraries. The small-boat harbour and cruise ship dock sit within walking distance of the town centre, and the array of excursion options — glacier cruises, kayaking, hiking, fishing, and flightseeing — makes Valdez one of the most activity-rich ports in Alaska. For travellers who want to experience Alaska's glacial landscapes and marine wildlife without the crowds of the larger ports, Valdez delivers an authentic, intimate Alaskan experience. May through September is the visiting season, with July and August offering the warmest weather, the salmon runs, and the longest days.