Alaska's Prince of Wales Island

For the adventurer seeking a road less traveled, Alaska's Prince of Whales Island provides the perfect venue to drop out and get in touch with your wilder nature.

There are two distinct versions of Prince of Whales Island, the one that 99% of visitors from the lower 48 will experience, and the one I am about to describe. For most visitors, Prince of Whales Island is known for its many world-class fishing lodges and resorts which dot both the eastern and western shores. For a few who dare to look behind the curtain and venture into the interior, Prince of Whales Island is a vast wilderness of pristine temperate rain forest waiting to be explored.

If your going to Prince of Whales Island's interior, don't expect to find the services you're accustomed to at home like a Starbucks or McDonald's on every corner. You'll want to bring most of your supplies, as the cost of goods and services on the island are somewhat inflated but more importantly limited. There are over 1,500 miles of road to explore leading to spectacular inlets and bays with views or the surrounding islands.

There are ample opportunities to hook into all five species of salmon as well as steel head (early spring), rainbow trout, Dolly Varden, and artic char while you're exploring the diverse regions of the island. The Klawock River offers some great salmon action as does the Thorne. If you want to bring home copious amounts of fish I suggest getting out on the ocean. Saltwater charters are popular from Craig. Coffman Cove, Klawock, Naukati and Thorne Bay also have limited charter services.

The Prince of Wales Island road system is a mixture of paved byways and hard packed dirt. If you're going to explore the miles and miles of logging roads, I'd recommend a four wheel drive vehicle equipped with winch.

There are ample camping options on Prince of Whales Island. As a matter of fact you can camp most anywhere as long as you're not within town limits. The island is all part or Tongass National Forest which is the largest in the United States with over 17 million acres. There are designated campsites located between Craig and El Capitan, but the best spots you will discover on your own. There is a sense of freedom that you just can't find anymore. If I were to sum up the island culture, it would be just to live and let live.

A rich Native American culture thrives on Prince of Wales Island. The two tribes that inhabit the island and its surroundings are the Tlingit, and Haida. The Tlingit are concentrated in Klawock, and the Haida are concentrated in Hydaburg. If you go to Hydaburg, you will see a great collection of totems, but don't expect a warm welcome. In contrast I found my Klawock totem park visit quite memorable. I meet a Tlingit named George from the Raven clan. George invited me to his humble home and we shared music and gifts for over two hours.

Prince of Wales Island is located 600 miles north of Seattle. It is the third largest Island in the US. Alaska Airlines provides service to Ketchikan International Airport. Float or wheel plane service is available to Hollis, Klawock or Craig. The Inter-Island Ferry service is just a three hour ride from Ketchikan to Hollis. Ketchikan 90 minutes from Seattle via Alaska Airlines.

George De Filippo, owner of Alaska's Inside Passage Resorts he has spent the fifteen years exploring Alaska. George enjoys sharing his 15 years of adventure travel experience with fellow adventurers. He has had the pleasure of being hosted by many of Alaska's top lodges and resorts.

Alaska's Inside Passage Resorts (AIPR) is a consortium of premier resorts, lodges and yacht charters. AIPR specializes in providing upscale Alaskan sportfishing and soft adventures to both leisure and corporate travel buyers. Every AIPR destination offers an all-inclusive Alaska Vacation Package filled with unforgettable experiences of the Alaskan wilderness.