Explore on your own rating

Kelsey Dock is in town, and glacier boats leave from the harbour a short walk away.

Where ships dock

  • John Thomas Kelsey Municipal Dock (Kelsey Dock), downtown: used by most ships
  • Valdez Container Terminal, about 3 miles east of downtown (shuttle)
  • Large ships may anchor and tender to the Small Boat Harbor

Getting to town

From Kelsey Dock you walk straight into downtown: restaurants, breweries, both Valdez Museum sites, shops and the harbour are all within walking distance. If your ship uses the Valdez Container Terminal, a shuttle brings you downtown (you can't walk through the secure terminal). Tenders land at the Small Boat Harbor in town.

Downtown is walkable. Glacier and wildlife cruises, fishing charters and kayak trips leave from the Small Boat Harbor. Taxis are few, so pre-book anything out of town, such as the Solomon Gulch Fish Hatchery across the bay or Keystone Canyon.

Fares are as reported by the sources below and change often. Treat them as estimates.

Money & entry

Currency: U.S. dollar (USD).

Top sights nearby

  • Valdez Museum & Historical Archive (two locations, walkable)
  • Maxine & Jesse Whitney Museum (Alaska Native art and artifacts)
  • Small Boat Harbor and glacier/wildlife cruises in Prince William Sound
  • Solomon Gulch Fish Hatchery (bears and eagles in season; taxi or tour)
  • Old Town Valdez, the town destroyed in the 1964 earthquake (tour)
  • Keystone Canyon waterfalls and Worthington Glacier (tour)

Beaches

  • None for swimming; the water is glacier-cold

Safety & tips

  • Check which dock your ship uses: only the Container Terminal needs a shuttle.
  • Book glacier cruises ahead on ship days; they fill up in summer.
  • Bring rain gear: showers are common in Prince William Sound, even in summer.

Check U.S. State Department travel advisories before you sail.

⏰ Back to the ship on time

From Kelsey Dock or the harbour it's a short walk back. If you're at the Container Terminal, note the last shuttle. Glacier cruises run on set schedules, so pick one that returns at least an hour before all-aboard.

Ship time can differ from local time. Your ship won't wait for independent travelers.

Shore excursions that get you back on time

Prefer a guided option in Valdez? Browse shore excursions with reviews, and pick one that returns well before all-aboard.

Find Valdez shore excursions on Viator ↗

Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission if you book through these links, at no extra cost to you.

Quick answers

Can you explore Valdez on your own?

Yes, it is rated Easy. Kelsey Dock is in town, and glacier boats leave from the harbour a short walk away.

How far is it from the cruise dock to town in Valdez?

From Kelsey Dock you walk straight into downtown: restaurants, breweries, both Valdez Museum sites, shops and the harbour are all within walking distance. If your ship uses the Valdez Container Terminal, a shuttle brings you downtown (you can't walk through the secure terminal). Tenders land at the Small Boat Harbor in town.

When should I head back to the ship in Valdez?

From Kelsey Dock or the harbour it's a short walk back. If you're at the Container Terminal, note the last shuttle. Glacier cruises run on set schedules, so pick one that returns at least an hour before all-aboard.

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📚 Sources