Valdez is in a beautiful location with towing mountains all around. It is situated about twenty miles inland from Prince William Sound on Valdez Arm, which is a narrow body of water walled by towering mountains. There are many many coves and bays where you can spend the night and never see another soul, it is a great place to explore. There is abundant wildlife to be seen both in the water and ashore. This is the home of the Coastal Brown Bear, as well as numerous Black Bears, Blacktail Deer, River Otter, and Sea Otter.
Eagles abound here as well as many species of duck.
If you have time enough, you will see Humpback Whales, Killer Whales and even Salmon Sharks. There are many sights to be seen as you traverse Valdez Arm and Prince William Sound, not the least of which are numerous waterfalls that cascade down from dizzying heights and aqua-blue icebergs of varying sizes. On the right is a photo of just one of these magnificent waterfalls. The vegetation ashore is lush, this is part of the northern rain forest. The climate here is wet, with few sunny days, but when the sun does shine it is a spectacle to behold.