Columbia Glacier Run

Overview

The Columbia Glacier Run is the crown jewel of Prince William Sound day cruising — a 76nm round trip from Whittier to the face of one of the world’s fastest-retreating tidewater glaciers. The Columbia has receded over 12 miles since the 1980s, and the resulting iceberg-strewn Columbia Bay makes this route simultaneously spectacular and demanding.

This is not a beginner route. Open water crossing, potential ice field navigation, and rapidly changing conditions require experienced seamanship.

Pre-Departure Checklist

• NOAA Marine Forecast: < 15kt, < 3ft seas for the full day
• AK SeaLife Weather Buoy data (NOAA 46060)
• Full fuel tanks (80nm round trip minimum)
• VHF radio fully charged — CH 16 monitored
• Float plan filed with responsible party
• Immersion suits aboard for all passengers
• Ice ax or boathook for growler deflection

Route Description

Leg 1 — Whittier to Passage Canal East (8nm) Straightforward transit. Watch for ferry traffic and commercial vessels. The Anton Anderson Tunnel schedule affects vehicle traffic timing — plan your departure before or after vehicle convoys.

Leg 2 — Passage Canal to Columbia Bay Entrance (22nm) Open water. Best conditions are typically early morning before afternoon NE breeze builds. Swell from the Gulf of Alaska can funnel into this corridor — check wave period as well as height.

Leg 3 — Columbia Bay to Glacier Face (8nm) This is where experience matters. Ice density varies dramatically by season and recent calving. In heavy ice years (post-major calving events), the bay may be impassable for small vessels. Navigate at displacement speed, with a dedicated bow watch.

At the Glacier: Maintain minimum 0.5nm from the calving face. The Columbia Glacier calves constantly — major calvings can produce waves up to 6ft. The blue ice of recently exposed glacier face is extraordinary.

Return Timing

Allow yourself a weather window. If afternoon NE builds to 20kt+, consider overnighting in Heather Bay rather than running back in deteriorating conditions.