Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge
95 Sterling Highway, Homer, Alaska
Comprising more than 2,500 islands, islets, rocks, spires, and reefs stretching from Cape Lisburne on the Arctic Ocean to the westernmost tip of the Aleutian Islands, the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge is America’s largest protected marine habitat. The refuge protects breeding habitat for millions of seabirds and offers incredible birdwatching and wildlife viewing opportunities for visitors.
Visitors to the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge can explore the dramatic volcanic landscapes of the Aleutian Islands, go bird watching on the Pribilof Islands, or visit any number of destinations on the Bering Sea. In total, there are five separate units in this massive refuge with a total area of 4.9 million acres (20,000 square kilometers). To best get acquainted with the refuge, start your journey at the Alaska Islands & Ocean Visitor Center in Homer.
- The Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge is best known for its abundance of seabirds.
- The refuge headquarters and visitors center are located in Homer, Alaska.
- Expect wet and cool weather on most of the refuge islands.
- Much of the refuge is inaccessible to visitors with no roads, runways, or harbors.
The Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge is divided into five units: the Gulf of Alaska, Alaska Peninsula, Aleutian Islands, Bering Sea, and Chukchi. Flights are available from Anchorage to both St. George and St. Paul of the Pribilof Islands and Unalaska, the largest city in the Aleutians. Most other destinations are only accessible via cruise ship or boat tour.
The best time for visiting the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge is during the summer months when seabirds and marine mammals come ashore to raise their young. Spring is best for viewing migrating birds and whales. Many of the refuge visitor services are only available in summer. The Alaska Islands & Ocean Visitor Center is open daily from 9am to 5pm during the summer months with limited hours the rest of the year.
Located 300 miles (483 kilometers) off the western coast of Alaska in the Bering Sea, the four Pribilof Islands are home to a considerable population of seabirds and fur seals. The island’s steep ocean cliffs are home to over 300 species of birds including many rare birds not seen anywhere else in North America. Both St. George and St. Paul islands have visitor services and bird watching and wildlife viewing tours of the island are available.
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