Kayaking at Valdez Glacier: a Beautiful Paddle with Waterfalls and Icebergs

Yes! There’s a glacier in Valdez! This is one of the coolest and most unusual kayaking spots we’ve been to. You launch just above the outflow from the glacier, so all the icebergs and chunks from the Valdez glacier have made their way here, creating an ice maze that you have to figure out how to paddle through, and then when you make it through the labyrinth you have this gorgeous lake with countless waterfalls pouring into it, and then a calving glacier at the end of it. Unique, epic and unforgettable. Does this sound like something you’d enjoy?

I hope so, because Valdez Stay & Play, the company that rents the kayaks to visitors, is run by some of the coolest people and they love sharing this beautiful, unique spot with guests. They are all about safety and fun, so you know you’ll be having a nice time kayaking on the glacier lake. If you have any questions about the logistics of kayaking at Valdez Glacier or need tips for making this happen, please leave a comment or send us a note. This is a very unusual and special activity and it’s not to be missed, so ask away and let us help you plan a fun adventure in Alaska.

The Valdez Glacier Kayaking Experience

We do a lot of guided tours, but I always love being able to explore and do our own thing, which sometimes just isn’t a good option in Alaska due to safety and wildlife concerns, but kayaking the Valdez glacier lake is one you can do on your own! And what a special experience to be able to enjoy in solitude. The glacier lake is absolutely beautiful even if there wasn’t a icy blue end to it. The waterfalls pours down all around, the low hanging mist, and then the face of the Valdez Glacier itself all make for one of the prettiest kayaking experiences in Alaska. And I love that you don’t need a tour to experience Valdez Glacier.

Because of where you launch your kayaks, you’ll start the paddle by navigating through a maze of icebergs, trying to figure out how to get beyond the blue ice and rock covered chunks that have floated to the start of the Valdez Glacier Stream before it makes its way to the ocean. Once you’re past the icebergs though, it’s just open water calming reflecting the surrounding amphitheater of waterfalls and avalanche chutes. The setting couldn’t be more beautiful to go kayaking.

When you make it to the face of the Valdez, it’s such a unique paddling experience. There are visible tunnels and strange peaks, you can hear tiny waterfalls and paddle into coves. Getting to explore the lake and the face of the glacier is very special and unique. There are only a few glacier experiences in Alaska that grant you access to a glacier lake an even fewer where you can actually kayak on it, and even fewer still that you can do this on your own instead of doing a guided tour. Valdez Stay & Play has such a good setup to be able to have this adventure on your own and it really is awesome.

Set up your Valdez Glacier Lake Kayak Rental here!

Tips for Kayaking Valdez Glacier

Before you get out onto the water and navigating through the icebergs and across the lake, there’s a serious safety talk to be had. Yes, the lake is very calm and peaceful, but there are some dangers on the Valdez Glacier Lake that you might not normally face when you’re kayaking in general. Kayaking next to icebergs can be dangerous because you never know when the ice is going to shift just a bit and turn over, which can then uncover a rising underside of an iceberg, which in turn can be dangerous and flip your kayak. So before you get on the water Valdez Stay & Play does a whole safety talk about precautions while kayaking on a glacier lake and how to navigate safely.

In addition to the potential danger with icebergs, the Valdez Glacier Lake is actively flowing and could present a problem if you’re unaware how you’re paddling, so when you’re getting the safety talk, your kayak provider will show you where the outflow to the glacial stream and the inflow from another glacier all are so you can avoid a sticky paddling situation. Don’t let this scare you though, the current is really easy to work with on the rest of the lake and you’d literally have to try to get to the dangerous spots. So just pay attention and be safe, and you’ll love the experience.

In total from the kayak launch to the face of the Valdez Glacier it’s about two miles of calm paddling. Kayaking with a friend is a great way to share the manpower to get there and back. The paddle back is easier, but you should be fine both ways. When you get to the face of the Valdez Glacier, don’t get too close. Even though everything is so quiet and peaceful, just like tidewater glaciers, the Valdez Glacier may calve off at any time and you do not want giant chunks of ice to hit you and your kayak. Keep a safe distance and listen for the subtle groans and snaps of a cracking glacier. Awareness is half of the safety practice. Now, this isn’t like visiting the face of the Columbia Glacier or the glaciers of College Fjord, as it is smaller, but safety is still important.

Being Prepared for Valdez Glacier Kayaking

When you’re kayaking at the Valdez Glacier Lake, you’ll want to dress warmly, even in the height of summer. Weather can change quickly, so a sunny paddle may shift into something a bit more moist. Also, when you get to the face of the glacier, just like if you’re visiting a glacier on the Stephen’s Cruises boat from Valdez or hiking on the Matanuska or Root Glaciers, when the wind blows across the ice, it acts like a giant air conditioner and can get pretty cold. Dress in layers and stay warm! I recommend gloves, a warm base layer, rain pants (just in case) and a warm waterproof jacket.

Bring plenty of water and snacks along, and be sure to pack out what you pack in. The four mile round trip paddle will take a few hours (not more than 4 if you’re being slow) and if you have kids with you, snacks are going to be a driving factor keeping people happy and paddling.

When it comes to bringing camera gear along on your kayaking at the Valdez Glacier, it’s 100% your call what you’re most comfortable with. If you’re camera bag is waterproof, you should be fine, and any wetness would come from mist/rain or drips from your paddles. This isn’t the sort of experience with splashing typically. I would recommend bringing a dry bag to carry your camera gear. You can inquire about borrowing one from Valdez Stay & Play as well, but availability of dry bags is not guaranteed depending on how busy things are. I found that I did use both a large lens and smaller lenses while paddling on the Valdez Glacier Lake. There were plenty of birds to photograph and shooting the moody mist across the waterfalls and glacier were really interesting too. A versatile lens, like a 50-250mm is a great option if you have it and don’t want to bring a lot of gear. For the non-photographer, you should be able to successfully bring your phone along for photos, but I would recommend a waterproof case for it for added protection.

More Valdez Stay & Play Options

In addition to renting out kayaks on the Valdez Glacier Lake, they also rent E-Bikes, which are great for exploring and getting around town. There are side roads and bike paths that are perfect for a sunny day, and the scenery all around Valdez is beautiful from a bike seat. E-bike rentals go from downtown Valdez, so you can do a morning kayak on the glacier lake and then an afternoon ride all around town.

Book Valdez E-bike Rentals here!

Getting to the Valdez Glacier Lake Kayak Launch

From the Richardson Highway (the only road into downtown Valdez) you’ll turn onto Airport Road and follow it to the end. The road does become unpaved for the last half of the short drive, but it’s still well maintained. DO NOT TURN off Airport Road. Simply continue straight and there is a very obvious parking area at the end where you’ll meet your kayak rental crew. It’s easy and a beautiful spot to start your adventure. This is by the glacier campground, but do not park where people are camping.