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Prince William Sound Glaciers  Salmon Fishing  Halibut Fishing Alaska Cruise

EXPERIENCE PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND

Prince William Sound is full of spectacular beauty, diverse scenery and fantastic wildlife. This pristine beauty is fragile and its environment unique. Prince William Sound, located in south central Alaska, has abundant wildlife, many glaciers and is surrounded by endless mountain ranges.

Wildlife abounds in Prince William Sound and the orca pods (killer whales) are a special attraction. There are both resident and transient pods in Prince William Sound, the traveling pods being attracted by runs of salmon. The orca pods feed on fish and on groups of seals, which are also after the salmon. How did the Exxon Valdez oil spill affect the whales? It lowered their general health, killing some and leaving others in a weakened condition, although they seem to be recovering now. The resident orca pods were the most affected.

Several fishing communities are located in Prince William Sound and many people gain their livelihood from the nutrient rich waters. In addition to the runs of salmon and halibut, there are herring, cod and shrimp fisheries at work throughout the year.

Getting there is always half the fun. Travel time to Prince William Sound from Anchorage is 40 minutes by plane (ERA) or 6 hours by car. The ferry is also available from Whittier to Valdez. Valdez is a central location for accessing Prince William Sound. It is by far the closest to the major attractions like Columbia Glacier. Glacier tours offer the most affordable way to see the Sound. There are also flight tours, both helicopter and floatplane. Prince William Sound Cruises and Tours offers cabin stays on Growler Island with transportation to and from Valdez.  And of course if you like fishing, you will see more of the Sound than on any other tour if you sign up for an all day Halibut Charter.