Paddle a glacier-carved fjord and explore Shoup Bay’s shoreline
8 hours
Kayak gear, guide, transport
Explore Shoup Bay’s marine state park by sea kayak, tracing a fjord shaped by a retreating glacier. Take in glacier views, coastal waterfalls, and newly formed shoreline landscapes with a guide.
Hour 1: Instruction and outfitting Hour 2: Motorboat water taxi ride to Shoup Bay Hour 3-4: Kayak from the boat to the face of the glacier Hour 5: A one hour lunch break on the beach by the glacier Hour 6-7: Two more hours of kayaking back out of the bay to the motorboat pick-up Hour 8: The ride back to Valdez
Cancel more than 72 hours before 8:00 AM on your departure day for a full refund. Cancellations within 72 hours forfeit the deposit. No-shows are charged the full trip price. Receive a full refund if the operator cancels due to weather, conditions, or unforeseen circumstances.
Product ID: HFE2PE
Use provided sea kayaks, paddles, sprayskirts, personal flotation devices, dry bags, rain gear, rubber boots, and neoprene paddle gloves. Guide services, motorboat transport, state park fees, snacks, and hot drinks are included.
Bring lunch, water, long pants, warm layers, warm socks, gloves, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and any camera or binoculars. Avoid cotton; wear synthetic or wool layers instead.
The tour is rated easy. It requires walking on uneven ground at lower tides.
Pangea Adventures, 107 N. Harbor Dr., Valdez, AK 99686
We did a Columbia Glacier kayak trip on August 24th with Nick, Logan and Eleanor on the Mayflower Star. We had great weather for the trip to the bay but on arrival we encountered an unprecedented amount of ice blocking the bay and threatening our access to the landing beach. At this point Nick would have been entirely justified in cancelling the landing and kayak launch, but using a drone he was able to determine an entry route and got us in for a wonderful kayaking experience. Logan did an awesome job getting all of us on and off the water safely and getting great pictures to share with the group. Nick did a masterful job getting us out of the ice-choked bay and back to Valdez to cap a wonderful Alaska adventure. This was the best kayak excursion I have ever experienced and this crew made it happen. Unforgettable!
Michael Bury
August 31, 2026
We did a Columbia Glacier kayak trip on August 24th with Nick, Logan and Eleanor on the Mayflower Star. We had great weather for the trip to the bay but on arrival we encountered an unprecedented amount of ice blocking the bay and threatening our access to the landing beach. At this point Nick would have been entirely justified in cancelling the landing and kayak launch, but using a drone he was able to determine an entry route and got us in for a wonderful kayaking experience. Logan did an awesome job getting all of us on and off the water safely and getting great pictures to share with the group. Nick did a masterful job getting us out of the ice-choked bay and back to Valdez to cap a wonderful Alaska adventure. This was the best kayak excursion I have ever experienced and this crew made it happen. Unforgettable!
Michael Bury
August 31, 2026
Paddle among calved ice beneath Columbia Glacier
Paddle independently among floating icebergs, waterfalls, and mountain scenery
Ride at your own pace through Valdez’s harbor, downtown, and glacier views
Paddle Class III rapids and pause at Bridal Veil Falls
A beginner-friendly paddle with chances to spot eagles and sea otters