One Day on Prince of Wales Island: How to Make Every Hour Count in Alaska’s Wild Southeast

Quick Facts: Prince of Wales Island, Alaska, USA | No dedicated cruise terminal — access primarily via floatplane or ferry from Ketchikan | Tender/floatplane or ferry arrival | Craig (main town) is approximately 31 miles from Hollis ferry terminal | Time zone: Alaska Standard Time (AKST), UTC −9

Prince of Wales Island is the third-largest island in the United States, a roadless-feeling wilderness of old-growth rainforest, limestone caves, black bear, and salmon streams tucked into Southeast Alaska’s Alexander Archipelago. Most cruisers encounter it as a dramatic floatplane or ferry excursion destination from Ketchikan, roughly 55 miles to the east — and the single most important planning tip is this: arrival logistics take real time, so pre-book your transport and activities before you ever leave the ship.

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Port & Terminal Information

There is no formal cruise ship terminal on Prince of Wales Island itself. The island is accessed from Ketchikan via 2 primary routes:

Alaska Marine Highway Ferry — The M/V Stikine or similar vessels depart Ketchikan’s Alaska Marine Highway Terminal (located at 1401 Tongass Ave, Ketchikan) and dock at the Hollis Ferry Terminal on POW’s eastern shore. The ferry crossing takes approximately 3 hours each way, which means this option is really only viable if your ship has an overnight or very long port call in Ketchikan.

Floatplane — Multiple Ketchikan-based operators fly into Craig, Klawock, Thorne Bay, or Coffman Cove in roughly 20–30 minutes. This is the realistic day-trip option for most cruisers. Floatplane docks are small gravel or dock operations — no ATMs, no luggage storage, no Wi-Fi. Pack everything you need before you step aboard.

Terminal facilities: Essentially none on the island side for day visitors. The Hollis Ferry Terminal has a small covered waiting area and a few picnic tables — that’s it. Craig, the largest town (population ~1,200), has a handful of services including a small grocery store and gas stations. Download offline maps before you go; cell coverage is patchy at best outside Craig and Klawock.

ATMs: There is an ATM at the Country Store in Craig and at the Klawock Tribal store — bring cash as a backup. Many small outfitters and guides are cash-preferred.

Distance to Craig (main town): 31 miles from Hollis ferry terminal via POW’s paved and gravel road network. Check [Google Maps for orientation](https://www.google.com/maps/search/Prince+of+Wales+Island+AK+cruise+terminal), but note that roads on the island are not fully reflected in real-time traffic tools.

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Getting to the City (and the Island)

Because POW is an island destination accessed from another port, “getting to the city” means getting from your cruise ship in Ketchikan to the island itself, then navigating locally.

On Foot — Not applicable for the island crossing. Once in Craig or Klawock, the compact downtown Craig waterfront is walkable within about 10 minutes end-to-end. You can stroll to Sunnahae Mountain Road, the Craig harbor, and the small totem area near the harbormaster’s office all on foot from a central drop-off point.

Ferry (Alaska Marine Highway) — Ketchikan to Hollis costs approximately $37–$47 per adult one-way (check current fares at the Alaska Marine Highway System website as prices update seasonally). Crossing time: ~3 hours each way. Vehicles can be transported (~$75–$100 one-way for a standard car), which is the best way to access remote trailheads independently. Book well in advance — the ferry fills up in summer.

Floatplane (recommended for day-trippers) — Taquan Air and Pacific Airways are the primary operators out of Ketchikan’s floatplane dock near downtown. Expect round-trip fares of approximately $180–$250 per person depending on destination airstrip. Flight time: 20–30 minutes each way. You’ll need to coordinate pickup and return times carefully — missing your floatplane is a serious situation on an island with no road connection to the outside world.

Rental Car/Truck on POW — Island Car Rentals in Craig (call ahead at 907-826-2886) offers trucks and SUVs for approximately $80–$110/day. This is essential if you want to reach Thorne Bay, Coffman Cove, or the El Capitan Cave trailhead independently. Roads are a mix of paved and well-maintained gravel. A 4WD or high-clearance vehicle is strongly recommended outside Craig and Klawock. Reserve weeks in advance in July and August.

Taxi/Local Shuttle — There is no formal taxi system on POW. Some floatplane operators or local guides offer informal shuttle transfers between Craig/Klawock and the Hollis Ferry Terminal (~31 miles, approximately $40–$60 per vehicle each way if you can arrange it). Ask your floatplane operator at booking time.

Hop-On Hop-Off Bus — Does not exist on Prince of Wales Island.

Ship Shore Excursion — This is genuinely the easiest option for most cruisers. Your cruise line almost certainly offers a bear-viewing flight or cave tour as an organized excursion from Ketchikan that handles all the logistics. It costs more than going independently but eliminates the very real risk of missing your ship. If this is your first time, book through the ship or a vetted Ketchikan-based operator. See the tours section below. You can also browse [guided tours on Viator](https://www.viator.com/search/Prince+of+Wales+Island+AK) to compare independent options.

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Top Things to Do in Prince of Wales Island, Alaska

Prince of Wales Island rewards the genuinely curious — it’s not a polished tourist destination, it’s a working Alaskan island with extraordinary wild beauty, deep Tlingit and Haida heritage, and wildlife encounters that most cruisers never find. Here are the experiences worth prioritizing.

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Must-See

1. El Capitan Cave (Free to enter, $5–$10 suggested donation for ranger-led tours when available) — The largest known cave in Alaska, El Capitan Cave sits within the Tongass National Forest on the island’s northern end and contains over 13,000 feet of mapped passages. Fossils of brown bears, black bears, and caribou dating back 12,000+ years have been recovered here. The USFS offers guided tours on a limited seasonal schedule — call the Thorne Bay Ranger District (907-828-3304) well in advance to check availability. The hike to the cave entrance is about 0.25 miles with 363 wooden steps — it’s steep but worth every single step. A [guided tour on GetYourGuide](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Prince+of+Wales+Island+AK&currency=USD&partner_id=MHU0UHU) may be available to complement your visit. Allow 2–3 hours.

2. Black Bear Viewing by Floatplane from Ketchikan (from $575/person) — This is one of the most dramatic wildlife experiences available in Southeast Alaska, and POW’s salmon streams and estuary edges are reliable bear habitat from June through September. You fly from Ketchikan over the archipelago, land near prime viewing habitat, and observe bears fishing and foraging at close range with a guide. [Book this Prince of Wales Island Bear-Viewing Tour By Air From Ketchikan on Viator](https://www.viator.com/search/Prince+of+Wales+Island+AK) 🎟 Book: Prince of Wales Island Bear-Viewing Tour By Air From Ketchikan. Allow 3 hours total.

3. Klawock Totem Park (Free) — Klawock is home to one of the finest concentrations of standing totem poles in Southeast Alaska — 21 poles standing in a hillside park overlooking the town and Klawock Inlet. Most poles are authentic replicas of originals from the now-abandoned village of Tuxekan, carved by Tlingit master carvers. This is not a tourist construction — it’s a living cultural site of the Klawock Cooperative Association. Spend time reading the interpretive plaques and recognizing the clan crest figures. Allow 30–45 minutes.

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Beaches & Nature

4. Balls Lake / Sandy Beach Area near Craig (Free) — Craig’s waterfront area offers easy access to rocky shoreline and calm-water views across Klawock Inlet, with bald eagles overhead and occasional harbor seals in the water below the harbormaster docks. It’s not a swimming beach — this is Alaska, water temps hover around 45–55°F even in summer — but the scenery is beautiful and the walk along the shoreline past the Craig small boat harbor is genuinely lovely. Allow 1 hour.

5. Whale Pass and North Island Kayaking (varies by outfitter, approx. $80–$150/half day) — The northern reaches of Prince of Wales Island around Whale Pass and Coffman Cove offer exceptional sea kayaking in protected waters with incredible scenery. You’ll paddle past densely forested islands, watch for humpback whales in nearby channels, and feel genuinely remote in a way few cruise excursions deliver. This requires advance planning and your own or rented kayak — no established outfitter operates tours here as of writing, so this is an option for experienced paddlers arriving by ferry with their own equipment. Allow a full day.

6. Thorne Bay Waterfront (Free) — Thorne Bay was once the largest logging camp in the world. Today it’s a quiet community of about 500 with a spectacular protected bay, a public boat launch, and extraordinary scenery. The drive from Craig takes about 45 minutes on paved road and passes through Tongass old-growth forest with frequent wildlife sightings. Sitka deer often browse roadside at dawn and dusk. Allow 1–2 hours including drive.

7. Staney Creek Estuary (Bear and Eagle Habitat) (Free) — This accessible estuary area near Craig offers some of the best roadside wildlife viewing on the island. In late summer (August–September), black bears feed on spawning salmon in the creek, and bald eagles congregate in dozens in the spruce trees overhead. You can view from the roadside pullout without a guide. Allow 30–60 minutes.

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Day Trips

8. Coffman Cove (Free to visit, gas and snacks available locally) — The drive to Coffman Cove on the island’s northeastern shore is a showcase of POW’s road network and landscape — about 70 miles from Craig, roughly 1.5–2 hours each way on mostly paved road. The small community sits on a stunning, protected cove and is the closest POW point to Wrangell Narrows. The Alaska Marine Highway ferry also calls here. This is a beautiful destination for those with a full rental car day, but be realistic about timing — this is a genuine full-day commitment. Allow 4–5 hours round trip plus time there.

9. Hydaburg (Free) — Hydaburg is the main community of the Haida people on Prince of Wales Island, and it’s home to another outstanding totem pole collection — the Hydaburg Totem Park contains poles brought from the abandoned village of Sukkwan Island. The Haida culture here is distinct from the Tlingit culture visible in Klawock and Craig — different clan crests, different artistic traditions, worth noting and appreciating. The drive from Craig is about 30 miles on paved road. Always be respectful; this is a small, tight-knit community. Allow 1–2 hours.

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Family Picks

10. POW Photo Safari / Off the Beaten Path Photography (from $134/person) — If you’re approaching POW from Ketchikan and want a structured wildlife and photography experience for the family, the [Off the Beaten Path Ketchikan Photo Safari on Viator](https://www.viator.com/search/Prince+of+Wales+Island+AK) 🎟 Book: Off the Beaten Path Ketchikan Photo Safari – 3 hr. offers a 3-hour guided tour that gets into the kind of Southeast Alaska landscapes and wildlife that children remember for decades. It’s beginner-friendly, well-guided, and covers photography technique alongside the experience. Allow 3 hours.

11. Klawock Hatchery (Free or small donation) — The Klawock Tribal Hatchery on the Klawock River is one of the oldest salmon hatcheries in Alaska, and during the summer run (typically July–August), you can watch coho and king salmon returning upstream in extraordinary numbers. For kids who’ve never seen a salmon run, this is a life-moment experience. The hatchery staff are often available to explain the process. Allow 45–60 minutes.

12. Surfing or Tidepooling at Sunnahae Beach area (Free) — The west-facing shores of POW near Sunnahae Mountain Road offer tidal pools teeming with sea stars, anemones, urchins, and small crabs at low tide. Bring rubber boots (or be prepared for wet feet) and plan your visit around a low tide — check a tide chart for Craig before you go. Allow 1–1.5 hours. Browse [family-friendly tours on GetYourGuide](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Prince+of+Wales+Island+AK&currency=USD&partner_id=MHU0UHU) for guided options.

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Off the Beaten Track

13. Beaver Falls Karst Trail (Free) — The Tongass National Forest’s karst terrain on POW is some of the most geologically unusual landscape in North America — limestone formations, disappearing streams, and sinkholes in a rainforest setting. The Beaver Falls Karst Trail near Thorne Bay is an easy-to-moderate 1-mile loop with interpretive signs explaining the formation of the cave systems beneath your feet. You’ll almost certainly have it entirely to yourself. Allow 1–1.5 hours.

14. Remote Forest Service Cabin Stay (pre-booking required) — The USFS manages over 150 remote cabins across Southeast Alaska, and several on POW are accessible by floatplane or short boat trip — including cabins on Retrospect Lake and Sarkar Lake. These are obviously not day-trip options, but for cruisers arriving a day early or staying post-cruise, [browse available cabins at recreation.gov](https://www.recreation.gov) and you may find an available night in genuine wilderness for just $25–$45/night. This is one of Alaska’s best-kept secrets. Requires advance booking.

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What to Eat & Drink

Prince of Wales Island has a genuine frontier food culture — this is a fishing and logging community, not a tourist town, and you’ll eat like a local or you won’t eat particularly well. That said, the seafood is as fresh as it gets anywhere in the world, and the community cookouts and local diners serve honest, hearty food at honest prices.

Fresh Dungeness Crab — Seasonal and extraordinary when available; ask at the Craig harbormaster what’s running. Local fishers sometimes sell directly off the dock. Price: $8–$15/lb live or cooked. Peak season: winter and early spring, but summer availability is possible.

Salmon — all species — King (chinook), sockeye, coho, pink, and chum all run on POW at various points in summer. Ask any Craig or Klawock restaurant what came in that day. A salmon fillet plate at a local diner: approximately $16–$22.

Ruth Ann’s Restaurant, Craig — The most established restaurant on POW, located on Craig’s Main Street waterfront. Serves Alaskan seafood, burgers, and daily specials. Expect to pay $14–$26 for a main. Breakfast is a solid choice before heading out for the day. Hours vary — confirm by calling ahead (907-826-3377).

Shelter Cove Lodge Restaurant, Craig — Attached to the island’s best-known fishing lodge, the dining room serves excellent seafood in a slightly more upscale setting. Open to non-lodge guests when space allows. Mains: $18–$34. Reservations recommended in peak season.

POW Bar & Grill, Craig — A local bar and grill with basic comfort food — burgers, fish and chips, nachos — and a warm, unpretentious atmosphere. A good option for a quick lunch. Mains: $11–$18. Cash preferred.

Klawock Grocery / Country Store — Stock up on snacks, sandwiches, and drinks here if you’re heading out to remote areas. Fresh baked goods sometimes available in the morning.

Locally brewed beer — There is no brewery on POW as of writing, but Alaskan Amber and Alaskan IPA (brewed in Juneau) are on tap at most bars and are the correct Alaskan choice. $5–$7/pint.

Smoked salmon to go — Several local operations sell vacuum

🎟️ Things to Book in Advance

These highly-rated experiences fill up fast — book before you arrive to avoid missing out.

Off the Beaten Path Ketchikan Photo Safari – 3 hr.

★★★★☆ (901 reviews)

We help you take iconic photographs of several locations in the Ketchikan area, including historical, cultural and nature attractions. We offer advanced and basic photographic……

⏱ 3 hours | From USD 134.03

Book on Viator →

Prince of Wales Island Bear-Viewing Tour By Air From Ketchikan

★★★★☆ (27 reviews)

See bears in their natural habitat on this 3 hour tour from Ketchikan. Take a 20 minute flight west over the inside passage to Prince of……

⏱ 3 hours | From USD 575.00