Sea Kayaking in Prince William Sound

57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity. 

We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Prince William Sound, Alaska,please refer to The State of Alaska website and  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!

What you get on this adventure:

• • An experienced sea kayaking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
  • 8 days of sea kayaking and camping
  • Accommodations in tents
  • Water ferries
  • All meals on the trip and a final lunch at the end of the trip
  • Group equipment

What’s not included:

• • Transportation before and after the trip
  • Accommodations before and after the trip
  • Personal gear (sleeping bags, sleeping pads, etc.)

In order to participate in this kayaking trip, you need to have a moderate level of fitness. Whether you want to experience the wild nature of Alaska but you really love having 2 hours to wake up with coffee in the morning or you want to paddle 40 miles per day, you’re more than welcome to join this trip. Your guide will adjust the trip according to your needs and fitness level, meaning that both beginners and experienced paddlers can join.

If you’ve never sea kayaked before, you can get all the training and coaching needed to have a successful trip. While it is useful to have at least one day of sea kayaking under your belt, this is a custom expedition so the trip can be adjusted to accommodate beginners and advanced paddlers alike. No matter who you are, there’s something for you.

Sea kayaks, personal flotation devices, spray skirts, paddles, drybags, pogies, radios, tents, maps, camp chairs, group camp equipment, cooking supplies, and first aid kits will be provided by your guide. Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:

• • Day pack large enough to carry all the items listed (around a 25-40L bag)
  • Two 1L water bottles
  • Synthetic base layers (one set for paddling + one for in-camp)
  • Fleece or light-weight insulated jacket
  • Board shorts or other fast-drying shorts for paddling
  • Waterproof footwear for in the boat
  • Sandals or other shoes for in-camp wear
  • Rubber boots
  • Waterproof rain jacket
  • Rain pants
  • Synthetic and wool socks
  • Spare clothes for layering
  • Sleeping bag with dry bag
  • Sleeping pad
  • Sunhat
  • Beanie
  • Bandanas and/or neck gaiter
  • Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)
  • Headlamp
  • Personal cook kit (mug, bowl, spoon)
  • Sunglasses and croakies
  • Camera — optional (but recommended)

Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

Group sizes and prices:

• • For this custom adventure, the max. client-to-guide ratio is 6:1. 
  • Cost is per person and it does not decrease as the group grows. 

Kayaking in Prince William Sound can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

Min. age requirements:

• • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
  • Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the hike on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

When making a Trip Deposit / Booking Reservation, full payment is due 120 days prior to the trip’s scheduled departure date. Indigo Alpine Guides will email reminders at least 3 days before full payment is due, with a link to submit full payment and pay your balance due. If you make a Trip Deposit / Booking Reservation for a trip departing in fewer than 180 days, the balance of payment is due either 30 days from the date your Trip Deposit / Booking Reservation is received by us, or 60 days prior to your trip’s departure date, whichever is sooner. Please note that a higher deposit amount may be required for some selected trips.

If full payment is not received when due, IAG reserves the right to cancel your Trip Deposit / Booking Reservation, and to apply a 100% cancelation fee.

Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies. 

• • You may cancel up to 120 days of the scheduled travel date and receive a full refund minus a $500 per-person service fee. 
  • If you cancel between 120 and 60 days of travel, there is a 50% cancellation fee. 
  • Within 60 days of travel, there is a 100% cancellation fee. 
  • IAG is not responsible for expenses incurred by Participants in preparing for a trip (eg. nonrefundable advance purchase air tickets, equipment, etc.) or for any additional arrangements pre- or post-departure date. 
  • The term applies whether the tour is altered, modified, or cancelled by your guiding service or by you for any reason. 
  • Because the tour may be cancelled when a minimum number of Participants have not signed up, your guiding service recommends that you either purchase refundable air tickets or wait until we have confirmed with you approximately 3 months prior to the tour that we have a sufficient number of Participants.

To get to Prince William Sound, most people fly into Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, about 5.5 hours away from Valdez, AK, by car, where you’ll meet your guide. From the airport, you can rent a car, take a shuttle service, or fly into Valdez Airport to get to Valdez.

Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, you’ll meet your guide in Valdez, AK, at 8 am. At 11 am you’ll load the kayaks into a water taxi and go for a 3 hour ride to Unakwik Inlet. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ability of the group.

At the end of your adventure, a 2-hour boat ride will land you back in Valdez for a closing lunch before parting ways.