Photography trip to Valdez, Alaska
Living in Juneau, Alaska, I see humpback whales almost every time I leave Statter Harbor (Auke Bay). So as an adventure, I set out to try to see humpback whales throughout other parts of Alaska. I wanted to see if they were as prevalent and accessible as the humpback whales in Juneau.
First stop on my list, Prince William Sound.
To my understanding, there are two primary ways to see humpback whales in the Prince William Sound. You either embark on a whale watching cruise from Whittier or Valdez. After quickly researching both places online, I decided to try Valdez first. From what I could gather, there was a lot of photography opportunities in this part of Alaska.
Traveling to Valdez - Flying and Driving
I took a direct flight from Juneau to Anchorage (just about 90 mins) on Alaska Airlines and rented a car. The drive from Anchorage to Valdez is about 5 1/2 hours one way so I decided to overnight in Anchorage and then head to Valdez the next morning.
Before getting on the road in the early hours, I grabbed a coffee and breakfast in Eagle Creek and started along the AK-1 highway. As predicted (from reading many other blogs), the views were spectacular. If you have someone who is willing to go with you and split the driving, I would highly recommend. Not because the drive is so long but because the views are so great that you will not want to be focused on the road.
In addition to the little pull offs along the road, here are a few key stops that a lot of people seemed to pull off to check-out:
Thompson Pass
Overall, it took me over 6 hours to get from Anchorage to Valdez especially because I was making several stops along the way. With views like the image right below, the drive was an absolute joy!
Travel tipS:
I fueled up just before leaving Wasilla and refueled in Glenn Allen (did not have any issues with the small SUV I was driving)
When to visit: Personally, I would only make the drive during the summer months. This helps avoid slick roads (you go through several mountain ranges and varying levels of elevation) and the views were breathtaking
Valdez was incredible
Right before you get to more civilization, you drive through mountains that are pouring waterfalls down the sides. The winding road opens up for a few miles before you enter the city proper. Valdez’s population (according to worldpopulationreview.com) in 2020 was just under 4,000; one of the major employers in this city is the Trans-Alaska pipeline.
Recommendations of places to eat in Valdez, Alaska
Although the city is small, the people of Valdez seem to take their food seriously. During my time there, I had the opportunity to try the following places (spoiler alert - they were all great)!
Fat Mermaid: Small inside and offers outdoor seating. Located on the ‘main drag’ (harbor on one side, shops on the other), this restaurant has a home-town feel but they understand the need to have creative dishes on their menu. I tried one of their pizzas and their salads. Both delicious. The hospitality was warm and you got the vibe that more locals were there than travelers. Check out their menu here!
The Stampmill: I was skeptical of this place at first. The overall location was mediocre (little further down the road than most restaurants) but as soon as you walked in, the vibe was a mix of pub + pizza + Alaska. It is quaint, I sat at the bar and there may have been 3-4 more seats. It had a darker atmosphere and there were several Alaskan beers on tap. Several people ordered pick-up. Check out their menu here!
Brewery: While the beer was great and the atmosphere felt more light and open, I would say overall the vibe lacked uniqueness (for me personally). In my mind, I made the long drive to Valdez, through winding roads, various weather conditions and quite frankly, a long time on the road. I expected a brewery to feel that way - a mix between comfort, hearty and slightly rustic. Instead, it felt like a brewery that could have been located in Seattle, Anchorage or Juneau and you wouldn’t have known the difference. Someone in my party tried their home made sodas and raved about them. Check out their menu here!
Glacier and Wildlife Tour from valdez
The next morning, I had the delightful opportunity of joining the Stan Stephens Glacier & Wildlife Cruises on their 7.5-8 hour tour to the Meares Glacier. The cruise disembarked from the Valdez Port (across the street from the Fat Mermaid) in the morning after a quick check-in at the ticket office.
As we left the port (and after the safety briefing), the captain provided an educational overview as we cruised past meaningful areas. Everything from the structure of the town, to how much snow fall, to the trans-alaska pipeline, to wildlife we might see along the way, etc. He was knowledgable about the area and you could tell that he was still excited about what the day held.
As we left the Port of Valdez and rounded the corner into the Valdez Arm, the captain slowed down so we could see a Bald Eagle that had landed on top of a rock structure. It was nice for the captain to recognize that several of us had cameras (all of us had cell phone cameras) and that wildlife was a priority for everyone.
During my trip, it happened to be a Salmon Opener. In the Valdez Arm, there were at least 50+ commercial fishermen - their saners spreading their nets. What a beautiful view as we cruised by. It reminded me of something you would see on National Geographic or BBC. To my understanding, the commercial fishing season / openers are heavily regulated.
As we moved out of the Valdez arm, by Glacier Island and up U Inlet, the water was fairly calm (e.g., no one onboard got seasick). Our captain took us by beautiful scenery and we passed a sea otter raft. The curious sea otters watched us as we slowly moved by them at a safe distance. Up on the mountain, we saw 2-3 black bears. They were pretty far up the mountain but if you had a long camera lens or binoculars, you were in luck!
View of Meares Glacier
We arrived at Meares Glacier and the view was stunning. The blue and white ice was breathtaking and there were several seals resting on chunks of ice as they floated by. Every once in awhile, the glacier would calve and a chunk of it would slide down into the ocean. One thing you learn quickly is that when you hear the sound of the glacier calving, most likely it has already calved and is in the process of sliding into the water. The sound is delayed getting to your ears; it’s better to keep your eyes peeled.
We stayed at the glacier for about :45 mins taking in the sights, sounds and even touching a piece of the glacier that one of the crew members brought safely onboard. We headed back towards Valdez with our cameras full and we were fed a delightful lunch as we got underway.
Wildlife on the Stan Stephens Glacier Cruise
On our way back, a group of Dahl’s porpoises accompanied our boat. As we cruised along, the porpoises would come up for oxygen alongside us putting on a beautiful show. We swung by Glacier Island and saw sea lions, puffins and other bird species. Unfortunately we did not see any humpback whales or orcas on the day that I went out with Stan’s Stephens - but often times they do.
Overall, the trip was worth it! The atmosphere could not have been better! The captain and crew knew what they were doing and I felt 100% safe at all times. The food, restrooms and length of trip were perfect. I was happy with the amount of wildlife that we saw, the breathtaking landscapes and the attention to detail the captain and crew provided.
Places to Photograph in Valdez Alaska
I fell in love with Valdez, Alaska. Each time I go back, I find another place to photograph, drone or take video. It’s a breathtaking place that feels comfortable with the potential for extreme adventure (think Heli-skiing) right outside your door. Here are a few places I would recommend to take your camera to help get you started:
Kelsey Dock
Bridal Veil Falls
Valdez Glacier
There you have it - my photography trip to Valdez was filled with adventure, fun, and incredible reminders of how beautiful our earth really is. If you have any questions about traveling to Valdez, please reach out. I am excited to help and also hear about your adventures in the beautiful town of Valdez, Alaska.
