Meares Glacier Cruise from Valdez: How to Visit Meares Glacier

Quick answer

The Meares Glacier and Wildlife Cruise from Valdez costs from $201 per person and is rated 4.8/5 from 78 reviews on GetYourGuide. You leave Valdez in the morning, spend time at the glacier face, eat lunch on the way back and dock at about 5:00 pm. Food is included, and GetYourGuide bookings cancel free up to three days before.

Key facts to know


Operator	Stan Stephens Glacier & Wildlife Cruises
Departs	112 North Harbor Drive, Valdez
Length	7.5 hours, back at about 5:00 pm
Route	Port Valdez, the coastal waterfalls and Unakwik Inlet
Food	A morning bagel snack, a late lunch and a dinner roll
Drinks	Coffee, tea, lemonade and water
Price	From $201 per person on GetYourGuide
Cancellation	Free up to 3 days before (GetYourGuide booking)

Meares is one of very few advancing tidewater glaciers in the region.
The scheduled trip from Valdez takes roughly 7.5 hours.
The route runs deep into remote Unakwik Inlet, farther into the Sound than the Columbia trip.
Meares and Columbia sailings run on separate schedules, so check your date on the booking page before you book travel to Valdez.

Why Meares is special

Most tidewater glaciers in Prince William Sound are retreating. Columbia Glacier, the other Valdez cruise, has pulled back so fast that its bay is choked with ice, and boats often have to stay well back from its face. Meares has been advancing instead. Its face meets open water at the head of the inlet, so the boat can come in and hold position in front of it.

An advancing face also calves readily. Large pieces break off and drop into the inlet, and the sound reaches you a second or so after you see the ice fall. That is the reason to choose this cruise over the other Valdez sailing.

How to visit

The cruise leaves from Valdez, and Valdez is far from Anchorage: roughly 300 road miles via the Glenn and Richardson highways, five to six hours of driving in good conditions, or a short scheduled flight. The boat leaves in the morning, so plan to sleep in Valdez the night before.

Check in at the Stan Stephens office, the small building on pilings above the tour dock in front of the Best Western hotel. Park along North Harbor Drive. The ramp down to the dock can be steep depending on the tide; the crew help with boarding if you ask. Hotel pickup is not included.

If Valdez does not fit your trip, the closest way to see a tidewater face from Anchorage is the 3¾-hour Glacier Quest cruise from Whittier, about 60 miles away. Our Whittier vs Valdez guide compares the two ports.

Cruise duration

At 7.5 hours this is the longest cruise on this site. The boat runs out through Port Valdez, where the crew talk about the early explorers, the oil terminal and commercial fishing, then along a coast of waterfalls to Unakwik Inlet. The time at the glacier comes in the middle of the day, and the return leg docks at about 5:00 pm.

That is a long time on a boat. Bring more warm clothing than you think you need, plus snacks and something to do on the return. Anyone who needs a short day on the water should book the six-hour Columbia trip or a Whittier cruise.

Wildlife

On the return the boat passes a Steller sea lion haulout, where the animals pile onto the rocks below a waterfall. Along the rest of the route the crew watch for sea otters, Dall’s porpoise, humpback whales, orcas, puffins and bald eagles. Humpbacks and orcas depend on the season and the day, and nothing is promised. Stan Stephens’ staff say the longer trip improves your chances, and our wildlife guide explains why.

Calving and approach distance

At Meares the captain brings the boat in, holds position and lets you watch. The crew judge the distance on the day: falling ice sends waves across the inlet, so the boat stays back far enough for them to pass safely. Meares calves regularly, so the wait often pays off, but a large collapse is never guaranteed.

Our guide to what to expect on a Prince William Sound cruise covers calving odds across the routes on this site.

Meares vs Columbia

Stan Stephens runs both cruises from the same Valdez dock.

	Meares Glacier cruise	Columbia Glacier cruise
Length	7.5 hours	6 hours
Departs	Morning	Usually 10:30 am
Glacier face	Advancing, boat holds in front of it	Retreating, heavy ice can keep the boat well back
Price on GetYourGuide	From $201	From $181
Rating	4.8/5 from 78 reviews	4.8/5 from 207 reviews
Our pick on GetYourGuide	Meares Glacier cruise, $201	Columbia Glacier and Wildlife Cruise, $181

Book Meares if a calving face matters most and you can give the cruise a full day. Book the Columbia Glacier and Wildlife Cruise from Valdez if you want the lower fare, a shorter day, or the ice-filled bay of a fast-retreating glacier. Our Columbia Glacier cruise guide and Valdez glacier cruises page cover the other option.

Best for

Travellers who want to watch a glacier calve from close by
Wildlife watchers who want the most hours on the water
Photographers who want time at one active face
Anyone already staying in Valdez for a night or two

It suits young children and anyone prone to seasickness less well, because of the length.

Who this guide is most useful for

Travellers deciding whether Meares justifies the trip to Valdez
Visitors already in Valdez choosing between the two Stan Stephens cruises
Road-trippers planning a Richardson Highway loop with a day on the Sound
First-time Alaska visitors who want one memorable glacier day

Practical planning checklist

Check the sailing date on the booking page before you book a flight or hotel in Valdez.
Sleep in Valdez the night before; the boat leaves in the morning.
Allow for the 5:00 pm return before you plan the drive or flight out.
Bring a warm mid-layer, a windproof and waterproof shell, a hat and gloves.
Pack binoculars, sunglasses and sunscreen for the glare off the ice.
Bring cash for the snack bar and crew tips.
Leave the drone at home; drones are not permitted.
If the steep ramp is a concern, ask the crew for boarding help.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Meares cruise suitable for a first Alaska trip?

Yes, if you are in Valdez and can give it a full day. You get a close view of an active calving face and a long stretch of wildlife watching. If you are based in Anchorage with one day free, a Whittier cruise is the easier choice.

Do I need to book in advance?

Book ahead for July and August, and before you pay for travel to Valdez. GetYourGuide bookings cancel free up to three days before, which leaves room if your plans change.

What if the weather is rainy?

The cruise runs rain or shine. Low cloud can hide the mountains, but the glacier face sits at sea level and you still see it. Bring good rain gear whatever the forecast says.

Are wildlife sightings guaranteed?

No. The sea lion haulout is a fixed spot on the return, and sea otters, porpoise, puffins and eagles are frequent. Humpbacks and orcas depend on the season and the day.

What should I wear?

Layers: a base layer, a fleece or insulated mid-layer, a windproof and waterproof jacket, long trousers, closed-toe shoes, a hat and gloves. You spend 7.5 hours on the water, and the air near the ice is much colder than in town.

Is a longer tour always better?

No. The 7.5-hour Meares cruise gets you to an active calving face, but it is a long day. The six-hour Columbia trip costs less, gets you back earlier and is easier for families.

Final take

Meares is the Valdez cruise for watching a glacier calve. You pay for it with the trip to Valdez and a full day on the boat, and the Columbia cruise is the cheaper, shorter alternative from the same dock. Check the Meares sailing date for your trip first, then book your travel to Valdez around it.

Meares Glacier Cruise — How to Visit Meares Glacier from Valdez