Quick Facts: Port: Klawock, Alaska | Country: United States | Terminal: No formal cruise terminal — small boat dock / float plane dock on Klawock Inlet | Dock: Dock (small vessels) or tender from larger ships anchoring offshore | Distance to town center: Less than 0.5 miles from waterfront to main street | Time zone: Alaska Standard Time (AKST), UTC−9 / Alaska Daylight Time (AKDT), UTC−8 in summer
Klawock is a small Tlingit and Haida community on the western shore of Prince of Wales Island — one of the largest islands in the United States — and one of the most raw, genuinely wild ports you’ll encounter anywhere in Southeast Alaska’s Inside Passage. Very few mainstream cruise ships call here, which means you’ll almost certainly be arriving on a small expedition vessel, a small ship cruise, or a charter boat, and that sense of exclusivity is exactly the point. Your single most important planning tip: there is minimal tourist infrastructure here, so plan everything before you step ashore — transportation, meals, and any guided experiences need to be locked in ahead of time.
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Port & Terminal Information
Klawock does not have a dedicated cruise terminal in the traditional sense. The town sits on Klawock Inlet and has a small boat harbor and float plane dock that accommodates modest-sized expedition and small ship cruise vessels. If your ship is larger, expect to tender ashore to the float.
There are no ATMs at the dock, no luggage storage, no cruise terminal Wi-Fi, and no official tourist info booth at the pier itself. The nearest practical services — a small grocery store, a gas station, and limited food options — are within a short walk into the town of roughly 800 residents.
The waterfront is on Klawock’s main road, so orientation is simple. Use [Google Maps](https://www.google.com/maps/search/Klawock+AK+cruise+terminal) to confirm your exact arrival point and pre-plan your routing because cell signal here can be intermittent. Download offline maps before you leave the ship.
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Getting to the City
Because Klawock is a small town on a remote island with no public transit, your transportation options are limited but manageable with advance planning.
- On Foot — The dock area is within a 5–10 minute walk of Klawock’s main street, the totem park, and the local grocery store. The town is flat and walkable. For the totem park specifically, it’s about a 0.3-mile walk from the waterfront along Boundary Road.
- Bus/Metro — There is no public bus service in Klawock or on Prince of Wales Island generally. Do not count on any form of scheduled public transportation.
- Taxi — There are no traditional taxi services based in Klawock. Some local operators offer informal transport by arrangement — ask your ship’s expedition team or front desk to arrange this before you arrive. Costs vary but expect to negotiate; $20–$40 for a ride across town or to Craig (the island’s largest town, about 7 miles south) is a realistic ballpark.
- Hop-On Hop-Off — Not available. This is wilderness Alaska, not a major port city.
- Rental Car — This is genuinely one of the most useful options if you want to explore Prince of Wales Island’s incredible road network. The island has over 1,500 miles of (mostly gravel) forest roads — more than any comparable landmass in Alaska. Budget and other national chains do not have locations here, but Southeast Car Rental operates on the island and sometimes out of the nearby town of Craig. Book weeks in advance; availability is extremely limited. Expect $70–$120/day. A rental car transforms your day — you can reach Thorne Bay, Coffman Cove, beaches, forest lakes, and bear-viewing areas that are completely inaccessible on foot.
- Ship Shore Excursion — If your expedition ship offers guided excursions (most small ship operators do), these are genuinely worth it in Klawock. Local guides know the bear activity areas, the salmon streams, and the back-road spots that you simply won’t find independently in a short port call. Bear-viewing flights from nearby Ketchikan (accessible via float plane) are a legitimate bucket-list option — see the tours section below. Check [Viator](https://www.viator.com/search/Klawock+AK) for available guided experiences bookable from the mainland or before you arrive.
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Top Things to Do in Klawock, AK, Alaska, Prince of Wales Island
Prince of Wales Island punches far above its weight for outdoor experiences — from world-class totem poles to black bear habitat, salmon-choked streams, and ancient karst cave systems. Here are the top experiences to prioritize, organized by type.
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Must-See
1. Klawock Totem Park (Free) — This is the single most significant cultural site in Klawock and one of the most impressive collections of totem poles in all of Southeast Alaska. The park contains 21 totems, many of them original poles that were relocated from the abandoned village of Tuxekan and restored by Civilian Conservation Corps workers in the 1930s. Each pole tells a clan story — look for the Raven, Eagle, Bear, and Frog clan crests — and the park’s open-air setting against the forest backdrop makes for extraordinary photographs. Allow 45–60 minutes to walk the full loop and read the interpretive plaques.
2. Klawock-Heenya Corporation Cultural Center (Free / small donation appreciated) — The tribal corporation’s cultural presence in town offers periodic demonstrations of traditional Tlingit and Haida weaving, carving, and storytelling. Availability depends on scheduling and season, so ask at your ship’s front desk or contact ahead of time. When it’s running, this is as authentic a cultural encounter as you’ll find in Southeast Alaska. Allow 30–60 minutes.
3. Klawock Lake & Klawock River Salmon Run (Free) — The Klawock River, which flows just south of town into Klawock Inlet, is one of the most productive pink and coho salmon streams on the island. During summer runs (pink salmon peak late July–August; coho peaks August–October), you can watch hundreds of salmon pushing upstream from the bridge near the hatchery — often with eagles wheeling overhead and bears potentially visible in the treeline at dawn or dusk. Allow 30–45 minutes.
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Beaches & Nature
4. Prince of Wales Island Karst Trail System (Free) — POW Island sits on a massive limestone karst formation, and the results are spectacular: sinkholes, caves, underground streams, and ancient forests growing out of rocky karst terrain. The El Capitan Cave near Whale Pass (about 45 miles north of Klawock on Forest Road 20) is one of the largest known caves in Alaska and has produced Ice Age mammal fossils. Access requires a ranger-guided tour through the U.S. Forest Service (Tongass National Forest); book well in advance at recreation.gov. If you have a rental car and a full day, this is one of the most extraordinary nature experiences in the Pacific Northwest. Allow 2–3 hours for the cave tour itself, plus driving time.
5. Sandy Beach (Craig, Prince of Wales Island) (Free) — About 7 miles south of Klawock, the town of Craig has a small beach on the waterfront that’s worth a stop if you’re driving through. The beach is nothing compared to tropical ports, but watching Southeast Alaska tidal flats with bald eagles patrolling overhead is a genuinely moving experience. Allow 20–30 minutes.
6. Shinaku Inlet & Forest Road Exploration (Free) — Grab a rental car and head south on the paved road toward Craig, then pick up one of the Tongass National Forest gravel roads toward the coastline. Shinaku Inlet and the waterways south of Klawock offer dramatic fjord scenery, sea otter habitat, and near-zero other tourists. This is the kind of immersive wilderness drive that simply doesn’t exist in most Alaska cruise ports. Allow 1–3 hours depending on how far you go.
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Day Trips
7. Prince of Wales Island Bear-Viewing Tour By Air from Ketchikan (From USD 575 per person) — This is the standout bookable experience connected to the Prince of Wales Island region. If you’re in port for a full day or if you’re traveling through the broader Inside Passage, this air tour from Ketchikan takes you over POW Island’s old-growth rainforest and estuary systems specifically to spot black bears feeding on salmon and sedge grass — a wildlife encounter that rivals anything in Alaska. It’s a 3-hour experience that combines float plane flight and guided bear observation. Book early because these tours fill fast. [Book the Prince of Wales Island Bear-Viewing Tour By Air on Viator](https://www.viator.com/search/Klawock+AK) — from USD 575, 3 hours.
8. Thorne Bay (Free to visit) — About 35 miles east of Klawock via forest roads, Thorne Bay was once the largest logging camp in North America. Today it’s a small waterfront community with a public dock, a handful of services, and sweeping views of Clarence Strait. The drive itself through old-growth and second-growth Tongass National Forest is the point — you’ll cross streams, pass lakes, and possibly spot deer on the road. A rental car is essential. Allow 2–3 hours round trip with stops.
9. Coffman Cove (Free to visit) — One of the island’s more remote communities, Coffman Cove (about 55 miles northeast of Klawock) has a ferry connection to Wrangell and Ketchikan via the Inter-Island Ferry Authority and a beautiful natural harbor. The driving route takes you through some of the most remote road-accessible wilderness in Southeast Alaska. Only practical for a full-day port call. Allow 3–4 hours round trip.
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Family Picks
10. Klawock Tribal Hatchery (Free / donations welcome) — Located right on the Klawock River less than a mile from the dock, this tribal hatchery raises pink salmon, king salmon, and coho for release into local streams. During peak summer season you can watch the hatchery operations, view fish in holding tanks, and — during the return run — observe mature salmon fighting upstream alongside the facility. It’s fascinating for kids and adults alike, and the staff are often happy to talk through the life cycle with visitors. Allow 30–45 minutes.
11. Klawock Waterfront Walk (Free) — The harbor area is relaxed and safe for families. Watch float planes land and take off on Klawock Inlet, observe fishing boats returning with their catch, and get a real sense of daily Alaskan commercial fishing life that you won’t get in busier cruise ports. Allow 20–30 minutes and keep an eye out for harbor seals in the inlet.
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Off the Beaten Track
12. Tuxekan Island & Abandoned Village Sites (Free, but requires boat access) — The village of Old Tuxekan — the source of many of Klawock’s relocated totem poles — sits on Tuxekan Island to the northwest and can only be reached by boat. It’s an atmospheric, sobering place where you can see the remnants of a Tlingit village that was depopulated during the smallpox epidemics of the 19th century. Your ship’s expedition team may be able to arrange a kayak or skiff excursion here. Check [GetYourGuide](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Klawock+AK¤cy=USD&partner_id=MHU0UHU) for any available guided water-access tours.
13. Old-Growth Forest Hiking (Tongass National Forest) (Free) — The Tongass — the largest national forest in the United States — covers most of POW Island. Pick up a Tongass National Forest map from the Craig Ranger District (if open) or download one before you sail. Short unmarked forest paths near Klawock lead into cathedral-quality old-growth Sitka spruce and western red cedar. The rainforest floor is blanketed in moss and ferns. This is the kind of hiking that makes people cry — it’s that beautiful. Allow 1–2 hours.
14. Sea Kayaking on Klawock Inlet (Varies — arrange through ship or local outfitter) — Klawock Inlet’s protected waters make it one of the more approachable kayaking spots in Southeast Alaska for beginners. Sea otters, harbor seals, Steller sea lions, and bald eagles are all regularly spotted from the water. If your expedition vessel has kayaks, this is an obvious priority. Independent kayak rental is very limited in Klawock, so rely on your ship’s offerings or check [Viator](https://www.viator.com/search/Klawock+AK) for any guided paddle experiences available in the region.
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What to Eat & Drink
Klawock’s food scene is exactly what you’d expect from a remote Alaskan community of 800 people — small, practical, and built around what the land and sea provide. Seafood here is not a tourist product; it’s the actual local diet, and that means what you eat will be fresher and more real than anything you’d get at a polished waterfront restaurant in Juneau or Ketchikan.
Don’t arrive expecting multiple restaurant choices or specific hours to be reliable — call ahead where possible, and have a backup plan (your ship’s dining) if a local spot is closed. Here’s what to seek out:
- Fresh-caught Pacific halibut — The halibut fishing around Prince of Wales Island is world-class. If a local restaurant is serving fresh halibut (pan-fried or fish-and-chips style), order it without hesitation. Price range: $15–$25 per plate where available.
- Local smoked salmon — You’ll find vacuum-packed smoked king or sockeye salmon at the grocery store and occasionally from local fishermen directly. This is an excellent edible souvenir. Price range: $12–$25 per package.
- Klawock Market / AC Store — The island’s small grocery store on the main road stocks basics, snacks, cold drinks, and occasionally deli-prepared food. It’s a practical stop for a quick bite and is a good place to pick up smoked salmon and local goods. Price range: $5–$15 for a meal-type grocery purchase.
- Craig restaurants (7 miles south) — If you have a rental car, Craig has more dining options than Klawock, including a small café scene. Ruth Ann’s Restaurant in Craig is a long-standing local institution serving Alaskan seafood, burgers, and breakfast. Expect $12–$22 for a main. Call ahead to confirm hours: (907) 826-3377.
- Home-smoked and home-canned fish — Locals sometimes sell from their homes or at informal roadside spots during summer. If you see a hand-lettered sign, stop — you may come away with some of the best salmon you’ve ever tasted. Price range: $10–$20.
- Wild berry picking (free, seasonal) — The Tongass rainforest edge around Klawock produces wild blueberries, salmonberries, and huckleberries in August and September. They are free, they are extraordinary, and you should eat as many as you can reach.
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Shopping
Klawock is not a shopping destination, and that’s not a criticism — it’s simply a remote community where most daily goods arrive by ferry or float plane. You won’t find souvenir shops, jewelry stores, or boutique galleries here. What you will find is more authentic and more worth buying than anything in the tourist-facing shops of larger Alaska cruise ports.
The best things to buy in Klawock are: locally smoked and canned salmon (from the grocery store or directly from fishermen), locally carved small wooden pieces and Tlingit/Haida art if you’re fortunate enough to encounter a carver working, and Tongass National Forest–related maps and field guides if the ranger station in Craig is staffed and open. Skip any mass-produced Alaska souvenirs — the “Made in China” totem pole magnets that appear in bigger ports have no place here, and this town’s authentic culture deserves better than that. If you’re lucky enough to meet a local artist or carver, buying directly from them is the best souvenir decision you can make.
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How to Plan Your Day
- 4 hours ashore: Walk from the dock to the Klawock Totem Park (45–60 minutes), then head to the Klawock River bridge to watch for salmon and eagles (20 minutes), swing by the Klawock Tribal Hatchery (30 minutes), browse the AC Store for smoked salmon to take back to the ship, then spend your remaining time on the harbor waterfront watching float planes and fishing boats. You’ll see the genuine heart of this community without rushing.
- 6–7 hours ashore: Add a rental car and drive south to Craig (7 miles, 15 minutes). Walk Craig’s waterfront, have a meal at Ruth Ann’s Restaurant, then
🎟️ Things to Book in Advance
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📍 Getting to Klawock AK, Alaska, Prince of Wales Island
Use the interactive map below to explore the port area and plan your route from the terminal.
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