The Alaska Marine Highway has Vacation Opportunities...

The Alaska Marine Highway System is made up of routes taken by the Alaska Ferry.

It provides a great way for vacationers to get to Alaska with their vehicles and other belongings without having to drive all the way. In addition to providing good, basic transportation for travelers to Alaska, it also provides a system to visit all of the unique and interesting little villages along Alaska's southern coastal areas.

Because Alaska's coastline is full of deep fjords, a multitude of islands and secluded bays, you will see a variety of beautiful and unusual scenery. You'll find great places for kayaking, canoeing and rafting as well as great fishing on your tour of the Alaska Marine Highway. Also, the remoteness from civilization ensures an abundance of wildlife and sealife.

Though most of these towns engage in commercial fishing as their main industry, each of them has special characteristics and attractions that make them unique and different from the others.

Below is a list of all the Alaskan villages along the Alaska Marine Highway route and a little information on each one. They are listed from South to North, for those boarding the Alaska ferry at Bellingham, Washington or Prince Rupert, British Columbia.

Alaska Marine Highway System in southeastern Alaska - Ships on these routes: Columbia (features full service dining room with fresh Alaskan seafood entrees), LeConte, Malaspina, Matanuska, Taku, Fairweather, Lituya

1. Metlakatla - The southernmost town in Alaska on the Alaska Marine Highway, it was established by an English Missionary in the late 1800's. He moved a small group of Tsimshian Indians from Canada to Alaska. Even though Annette Island is Tlingit Indian territory, he got permission from both the U.S. government and local Tlingit Chief to establish his settlement there. So this town has an interesting mixture of tradition.

2. Ketchikan - It is located on Revillagigedo Island which was named by Spanish explorers. The town is named after the Tlingit Indian word for the river which runs through it. Ketchikan is famous for having the largest collection of standing totem poles in the world, being the Salmon Capital of the World and for Misty Fjords National Monument, located nearby. With a population of slightly over 7,000, this city is 5th largest in Alaska and 2nd largest on the Alaska Marine Highway System.

3. Wrangell - Located on an island by the same name, this town was originally a Russian settlement. Later it was taken over by the British Hudson's Bay Company, then became an American fort. Displaced by white settlers, seven Tlingit Indian tribes—the island's original inhabitants—still make it their home. A small island in Wrangell Harbor has a traditional Tlingit house. Built in the 1930's, it is maintained by a local tribe, along with a city center Totem Park. Ancient artistic Tlingit rock carvings can also be seen in the area.

4. Petersburg - Located on the north end of Mitkof Island, it was created when a Norwegian homesteaded here in the 1890's. He built a cannery, sawmill and dock. The area has grown steadily since then, homesteaded by his relatives, and is called, "Little Norway". To this day, the Norwegian Constitution Day, May 17, is celebrated annually. Like all Alaska coastal cities, it is a fishing village. But it is different because the Indian population is minimal—Tlingits had only used it as a summer fish camp, prior to white settlement.

5. Kake - Located on Kupreanoff Island, next to Mitkof. Originally occupied by the Kake Tlingits, who still make up over half the population. In the late 1860's, the Kake Indians took revenge for one of their tribe being killed and ended up in a very short war with the United States. A U.S. Navy vessel destroyed three of their villages. Many years later they re-settled at the present site of this town. In 1967, the largest totem pole in the world (128 feet) was carved here to celebrate the centennial of Alaska's purchase from Russia.

The Marine Vessel Malaspina is used almost exclusively for the Alaska Marine Highway route between Juneau, Haines and Skagway.

6. Juneau - Originally a fishing area for the Taku and Auke tribes of Tlingits. A town grew up when gold was discovered in the area. In 1906 the Capital of Alaska moved from Sitka to Juneau. Since then, there have been numerous attempts to move it to the Anchorage area but it always gets voted down. Juneau has no roads going to it, but is the 2nd largest US municipality by area and the 3rd largest Alaskan city. It sits at the base of some very steep, tall mountains with numerous glaciers around it. The Red Dog Saloon is Juneau's oldest attraction, having been established in the mining era. With a population over 30,000, Juneau is the largest city on the Alaska Marine Highway System.

7. Haines - Established as a mission in the 1880's at the request of the local Chilkat tribe of Tlingits. Though Indians had an established trade route to the Yukon Territory from here, it was not important until the Klondike gold rush. The route became the Dalton Trail, after a man who was sent to explore it, and who controlled the route. When a railroad was built to nearby Skagway, it replaced the Dalton Trail. The fishing and logging industries eventually disappeared. The first US Army fort in Alaska was built here but later deactivated. Haines is important today because the Haines Highway, which follows the old Dalton Trail, connects it to the Alcan.

8. Skagway - The most famous Alaskan town of all! Its gold rush days and its famous and infamous people, such as "Soapy Smith", made history. The White Pass and Yukon Railroad which was in operation for gold miners going to Dawson City in the Yukon Territory, is run today for tourists. Named by Tlingits who lived here since prehistoric times. Since the 1980's, the Klondike Highway, which connects to the Alcan, has been drivable all year long.

Haines and Skagway are the only two Southeastern Alaska towns on the Alaska Marine Highway, that have a road connection with the Alcan Highway in Canada.

9. Angoon - This town of less than 1000 people is the largest on Admiralty Island. Originally inhabited by Tlingits of the Kootznoowoo Tribe, at one time their town was destroyed by the U.S. Government through a misunderstanding. This island has less rain than most of southeastern Alaska, so the Tlingits returned and rebuilt their town, which continues to this day.

10. Sitka - Is named after a Tlingit word for the area. Located on Baranof Island, it was originally inhabited by Tlingit Indians. Russians settled here in the early 1800's and wiped out a lot of the Native population. Eventually it became the Russian Capital in America, then transferred to the United States when Seward negotiated the purchase of Alaska in 1867. In 1906 the Alaskan Capital moved to Juneau. Sitka has twenty-two sites listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

11. Tenakee Springs - Located on an inlet on the east side of Chichagoff Island, it has a population of only a few hundred people, and is mostly non-native. Besides being on the Alaska Marine Highway system, it has a float plane base.

12. Hoonah - Located on the east side of Chichagoff Island, originally a Tlingit settlement of the Huna Tribe. Tlingit legend says they moved to the island when glaciers forced them to leave homes on the mainland. A trading company and mission were built in the 1800's. Later a post office and cannery were added. A large collection of irreplaceable Tlingit cultural objects had been collected by a trader, but were destroyed in a 1944 fire. The U.S. government assisted in rebuilding the town later.

13. Pelican - Originally a shipwrecked crew of Russians landed here. It is on an inlet on the north side of Chicagoff Island. Later the settlement reverted to wilderness. It became a permanent community when an enterprising fisherman found the site with the help of some gold miners in the area. He stayed named the place after his boat. The town struggled through the years and is still a small town but is in a nice location on a protected cove with a waterfall nearby.

14. Yakutat - Is on the northern end of the Alaska Panhandle and is incorporated as a City and Borough. It is THE largest city in the United States by AREA, with a population of less than 1000! Besides the Alaska Marine Highway System, Yakutat also has a commercial airstrip, built during World War II. Original home of the Eyak-Tlingit Natives, the area was explored and exploited by the English, French, Spanish and Russians before it became a U.S. possession. Over the years, Alaskan natives gradually left the area and only a small percentage remain.

Alaska Marine Highway System in Southcentral Alaska and Kodiak Island - Ships on these routes: Aurora, Chenega and...

Kennicott (connects southeastern and southcentral ports of the Alaska Marine Highway System)

15. Cordova - Home to the Aleut and Eyak Natives, it is located near the mouth of the Copper River. The town was first settled by prospectors in the late 1800's. Early Spanish explorers named the Bay, Puerta Cordova. The town was named after the Bay when the Copper River and Northwestern Railway built a track to transport copper from the Kennecott mines down to the port. When the copper and railroad disappeared, fishing became its main industry, but that was severely affected by the 1989 ExxonMobil oil spill in Valdez. Despite its setbacks, Cordova has survived. Without roads to it, the Alaska Marine Highway and an airport serve the community well.

16. Tatitlek - Located on the mainland at the mouth of the Valdez Inlet, this very small town's population is largely Alaskan Natives and is a very isolated area, except for the connecting nearby town of Ellamar that has a seaplane base. The Alaska Marine Highway provides important transportation for the town.

17. Valdez - Originally named by Spanish Explorers. It became established when miners were convinced that this area had a better route to the Klondike gold fields than Skagway. It wasn't true, but the town became important in 1899 when the Richardson Highway was built from its ice-free port to Fairbanks. After the 1964 earthquake damage, the town was moved to a safer location. Being the southern end of the Alaska Pipeline, the population of the town grew considerably, though the oil industry has slowed down in recent years. Full of history, this is an important stop on the Alaska Marine Highway. Photo of Street Corner in Whittier

18. Whittier - Located at the end of an inlet in western Prince William Sound, it was built by the army in World War II. It connected to Alaska's interior by railroad through a 2.5 mile mountain tunnel. A road now goes alongside the railroad tracks, and allows one way traffic each direction, several times a day. Two very large barracks buildings still remain and are used for residential housing. Besides being a stop for the Alaska Marine Highway, it is also popular with cruise ships because of its proximity to Anchorage.

19. Chenega Bay - A town located on Evans Island. The Chugach Indians who had lived on Chenega Island, relocated here some years after the 1964 earthquake destroyed their homes and many family members. Again, they were one of the many coastal villages whose fishing industry was devastated by the oil spill in 1989. Photo of Homes Near Seldovia

20. Seldovia - A port town in southern Kenai Peninsula and across Kachemak Bay from Homer. It was first established in the early 1800's by Russian fur traders. The original town was built along boardwalks on the water's edge, but was entirely wiped out when the land dropped during the 1964 earthquake and the tides became 6 feet higher. The town has no roads to it, but was rebuilt and now has a population of less than 500.

21. Homer - Located on the north side of Kachemak Bay and western side of Kenai Peninsula, Homer is a quaint fishing village. It has a 4.5 mile gravel "spit" that goes out into the Bay, which forms the harbor. It is lined with many local businesses. The town, dock and a railroad were built in the late 1800's when coal was discovered in the area. Today it is famous for being the "halibut fishing capital of the world".

22. Kodiak - The island has been inhabited by the Native peoples for at least 7000 years. Russians settled here in the 1700's and began harvesting sea otters until they were almost extinct, upsetting the Natives terribly. When the United States purchased Alaska, Kodiak became a commercial fishing center. The island is famous for its brown bears—the largest in the world! Kodiak was severely affected by the 1964 earthquake's tidal wave, which caused $11 million dollars worth of damage, but was rebuilt.

23. Port Lions - Named after the Lions Club, who helped relocate the residents from Afognak and Raspberry Islands, after the 1964 earthquake's tidal wave destroyed their villages. It has a population of only a few hundred.

Alaska Marine Highway System on the Aleutian Chain - Ships used on these routes: Tustemena (connects Southcentral Alaska with Aleutian Chain). The Tustemena features a full service dining room which features fresh Alaskan Seafood entrees.

24. Chignik - Located on a nice bay on the mainland at the head of the Aleutian Chain, this very small village is situated in the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge. It was the birthplace of Benny Benson, who at the age of 13 designed the Alaskan Flag.

25. Sand Point - Located on Popof Island. It has a population of around 1000. In 1898 a San Francisco fishing company built the town for a cod fishing station and it still has one of the largest fishing fleets on the Aleutian Chain. Their Russian Orthodox Church was built in 1933. The town has a large airport with daily flights to Anchorage, if the weather is good. Though it has very strong winds because of its location, it does not have extremely cold or hot weather, unlike Alaska's mainland.

26. King Cove - Located on the mainland portion of the Aleutian Chain, it has been a fishing community since the early 1900's and currently has one of the largest canneries in Alaska. It has a mixed population of about 1000 with the majority being Aleut.

27. Cold Bay - Though there is evidence of prehistoric Aleut occupation of this island and early Russian camps, the town was originally built for military purposes during World War II. Because of its long runway, it is useful today as an emergency runway for north Pacific air traffic. With a population of only about 100, it has a school, lodge, restaurant and holds a silver salmon derby yearly.

28. False Pass - A very small fishing community located on the eastern end of Unimak Island and served by the Alaska Marine Highway system. It sits strategically on the first pass from the mainland of Alaska that connects the Pacific Ocean with the Bering Sea.

29. Akutan - Originally established in 1878 for the fur trade. A Russian Orthodox Church and school were built at the time. A fish processing plant and nearby whaling station were added later. During WW II, residents were evacuated to Ketchikan and many never returned. It was re-established in 1944. In 1927, a dam was built for it's water supply which is still in use. It has modernized with sewage and refuse service, an electric company, school and medical facilities.

30. Dutch Harbor/Unalaska - Unalaska's name derives from the Unangan (Aleut) Natives, the original inhabitants. Russians arrived in the mid 1700's to start a fur trade and later the Spanish claimed the Island. War with the Russians and disease epidemics brought in by settlers wiped out most of the native populations. Military installations were built at Dutch Harbor, the only deep water port in the area, at the beginning of WW II. Abandoned after the war, the leftover installations have been put to good use. This town, with a population of about 5000, has become the center for the king crab industry and is the last port of call on the Alaska Marine Highway System.

Besides the ports of Bellingham, Washington and Prince Rupert, British Columbia, this is a complete list of all the stops. Though you won't travel in the great luxury offered by cruise liners, the accommodations and service are reasonable in both price and value. All of their fares are for one-way service, to make it easier for you to choose other options for return travel.

To help you estimate ferry travel costs, here are a few SAMPLES FARES on the Alaska Marine Highway System. Also see the Alaska Ferry page for additional sample fares from the farthest southern ports to southcentral ports.

Adult = 12+ years old; 6 to 11 years = 1/2 fare; Under 6 years = Free; Meals ARE NOT included, but may be purchased or bring your own. You can sleep in public areas and use public facilities if you want to go the economic route. Storage locker rentals are available.

Traveling on the Alaska Marine Highway System will give you a very different look at Alaska. You will have time to stay as long as you want at any location, then get back on the ferry when you're ready. Call them at 800-642-0066 or visit their website for reservations, fares, specials and other information.

If you DO want more luxurious accommodations than provided by the ferries on the Alaska Marine Highway, then you might want to look at some Alaskan cruises...

SBI!

The Alaska Marine HighwayA Coastal Vacation Route

The Alaska Marine Highway
A Coastal Vacation Route