mainzer

My wife and I have three full days at the end of August after we return a trip in Wrangell St Elias NP and before we board our return flight from Anchorage. We planned to spend two days in Valdez/Prince William Sound doing some kayaking to see the glaciers and then take the ferry back to Anchorage. However, we have someone else tell us now to take the first ferry and hurry all the way back to Kenai because the marine life and kayaking is better there. We are confused, and would love to hear some opinions. Thanks in advance

BayouGal

Wow, tough call. I don't think the kayaking is necessarily better at Seward than at Valdez. You can get a close, and awesome, kayaking trip out of Valdez, whereas the close kayaking trips at Seward in Resurrection Bay aren't much to speak of. If you want to see big icebergs, then go kayaking at Columbia Glacier out of Valdez. If you have time for a long day kayaking trip or an overnight kayak trip, go to Blackstone Bay out of Whittier or Seward to see lots of glaciers and probably some wildlife too. If you want excellent wildlife viewing from a boat tour, go on one of the Kenai NP boat tours out of Seward.

It's all so beautiful, you can't really go wrong, regardless of which you choose in the end.

BudgetQueen

If kayaking is your priority, out of Valdez is superior in my opinion for the ease of glacier access.

The Kayak areas out of Seward (not "Kenai") are not going to yield you any more wildlife.

However, you might want to spend at least a day, kayaking out of Whittier, which is probably superior over the other 2 areas, certainly many more glaciers. I do not recommend the fast ferry as the ride between Whittier and Valdez is worth the "time" of the regular run, which offers a little sightseeing.

destinos

I would recommend going kayaking wherever you are when the weather is best!

We just got back from Seward, and kayaking was cancelled three days in a row due to the windy conditions. The weather was gorgeous and sunny, but not suitable for kayaking.

Took the Kenai Fjords 6 hr catamaran cruise out of Seward and saw great wildlife (humpbacks, orcas, sea lions, sea otters, puffins) on Renown Tours.

So if you are in Valdez/Prince William Sound first, and the weather lends itself to kayak, do it. If not, you will have another try at it in Seward.

0leg

mainzer-
It is very difficult to kayak Resurection Bay. Even if there's just a breeze your chance of rough see is high.
It will be nearly impossible if Seward gets windy.
Ocean in PWS is way calmer than in Resurection Bay. Plenty of kayakers.
Can't help with Valdez.