Quick Facts: Elfin Cove / Pelican, Chichagof Island | USA (Alaska) | No formal cruise terminal — small-boat float docks | Tender required | Village centers within 0.1–0.3 miles of dock | Alaska Daylight Time (AKDT, UTC−8)
Chichagof Island is one of Southeast Alaska’s most thrillingly remote stops — home to one of the densest concentrations of brown bears on Earth and two microscopic fishing villages, Elfin Cove and Pelican, that together hold fewer than 200 permanent residents. Ships anchor offshore and tender passengers to rickety, charming float docks, so factor in 20–30 minutes each way for tendering, and watch your step on the gangways — they move with the tide. The single most important planning tip: this is genuine wilderness, not a tourist infrastructure town, so book any guided wildlife experience before you sail.
—
Port & Terminal Information
There is no formal cruise terminal on Chichagof Island. Smaller expedition ships and small cruise vessels (such as those operated by UnCruise Adventures or American Cruise Lines) use the Elfin Cove float dock or the Pelican small-boat harbor, both open wooden docks with no passenger facilities beyond the dock itself.
- Elfin Cove: A network of covered boardwalks connects the entire village — there are no roads, no ATMs, no Wi-Fi kiosks, and no luggage storage. What you see is what you get: about 20 homes, a seasonal lodge, and forest.
- Pelican: Slightly larger, with a single main boardwalk (Salmon Way), a cold-storage fish plant, a bar, and a tiny general store. No ATM on-island — bring cash from the ship.
- Tendering: Plan your shore time around tender schedules. Last tender is typically 30–60 minutes before all-aboard; confirm with your cruise director. Check your terminal location on Google Maps before departure.
—
Getting to the City
Because neither Elfin Cove nor Pelican has roads connecting them to the outside world, your transportation options are radically different from a typical port day.
- On Foot — Both villages are entirely walkable within 10–15 minutes end to end. The entire Elfin Cove boardwalk loop is under 0.3 miles. Pelican’s Salmon Way boardwalk stretches about 0.5 miles. Wear waterproof footwear — boardwalks are often wet.
- Bus/Metro — None exists. There are no roads and no public transport.
- Taxi — No taxis. No Uber. No rideshare of any kind.
- Floatplane — A floatplane charter from Juneau (e.g., via Wings of Alaska or Taquan Air) is the primary way independent travelers reach the island. Expect $300–$500+ per person each way. This is mostly relevant for pre/post-cruise travelers, not day visitors.
- Hop-On Hop-Off — Not available.
- Rental Car/Scooter — Not applicable; there are no roads.
- Ship Shore Excursion — Strongly recommended here. This is one of the rare ports where the ship’s naturalist-led excursions and local guide partnerships genuinely outperform going it alone, especially for bear viewing and whale watching. Browse tours on Viator or GetYourGuide for pre-bookable options.
—
Top Things to Do in Chichagof Island, Alaska, Elfin Cove-Pelican
Chichagof Island rewards the curious and the patient — its draws are almost entirely natural, and every experience here feels genuinely unscripted.
Must-See
1. Brown Bear Search by Guided Skiff or Vehicle (from $163.63) — Chichagof Island has an extraordinarily high density of Alexander Archipelago brown bears, and guided excursions take you through old-growth forest and estuary habitat where sightings are frequent. This is the definitive Chichagof experience. Book the Brown Bear Search on Viator 🎟 Book: Chichagof Island Tour: Brown Bear Search. Allow 3 hours.
2. Guided Driving Tour (from $125) — A 2-hour narrated tour covering the island’s ecology, fishing history, and local wildlife corridors with a knowledgeable local guide. Book the 2-hour guided driving tour on Viator 🎟 Book: 2 Hour Chichagof Island Guided Driving Tour . Allow 2 hours.
3. Elfin Cove Boardwalk Stroll (free) — Walk the entire interconnected boardwalk village, peer into the protected inner cove, and chat with the handful of year-round locals. The small boat harbor here is one of the most photogenic in Alaska. Allow 45 minutes.
Beaches & Nature
4. Old-Growth Sitka Spruce Forest Walk (free) — Trails from both villages push quickly into dense, moss-draped old-growth forest. Bring bear spray (available from the ship’s naturalist team) and make noise. The silence beneath the canopy is profound. Allow 1–2 hours.
5. Tide Pooling at Low Tide (free) — The rocky intertidal zones around Elfin Cove are rich with sea stars, urchins, anemones, and chitons. Check tide tables before you go — low tide windows are the best, and the ship’s naturalist will know the timing. Allow 1 hour.
6. Birdwatching: Bald Eagles & Shorebirds (free) — Eagles are so common here they’re almost background scenery, but the shorebirds, marbled murrelets, and occasional puffin sightings make this a genuine birder’s destination. Bring binoculars. Allow 1–2 hours continuously during your walk.
Day Trips
7. Whale & Wildlife Excursion by Private Charter (from $3,000 for private group) — For a premium experience, a private charter puts you in humpback and orca habitat with a dedicated naturalist guide. Book the Elite Private Whales & Wildlife Excursion on Viator 🎟 Book: Elite & Private Whales & Wildlife Excursion Ketchikan Alaska. This is per-vessel, so splitting costs across a group makes it far more reasonable. Allow 4–6 hours.
8. Floatplane Flightseeing (approx. $250–$450/person) — If your ship is in port long enough and a floatplane charter is arranged through your expedition team, aerial views of Chichagof’s fjords, glaciers, and bear habitat are transformative. Ask at guest services before arrival.
Family Picks
9. Junior Naturalist Programs on Board (free/included) — Many expedition ships visiting Chichagof run on-deck naturalist presentations timed with shore visits. For younger kids not ready for wilderness hiking, this is an engaging alternative. Check your ship’s daily program.
10. Pelican Harbor Fishing Dock Watch (free) — Watching the commercial fishing boats unload at Pelican’s cold-storage plant is a surprisingly captivating slice of real Alaskan life. Kids who love boats will be mesmerized. Allow 30 minutes.
Off the Beaten Track
11. Lisianski Inlet Kayak (varies; sometimes offered by expedition ships) — Paddling Lisianski Inlet in a sea kayak, surrounded by forested ridgelines and the chance of surfacing sea otters, is one of Southeast Alaska’s quieter thrills. Check with your ship’s adventure team.
12. Pelican Bar (Rosie’s Bar & Grill) (free entry) — Pelican’s legendary, slightly ramshackle bar has been serving fishermen and the occasional lucky cruiser for decades. Walking in for a local beer feels like a genuine off-the-map moment. Cash only.
—
What to Eat & Drink
Chichagof Island’s food scene is built entirely around what comes out of the water — Dungeness crab, halibut, king salmon, and spot prawns define the local diet. Don’t expect restaurant rows or menus; eat whatever the locals are offering that day, and eat it simply.
- Fresh-caught halibut — Grilled or pan-fried at any lodge or guided camp lunch; the local standard. ~$18–$28 where available.
- Dungeness crab — Seasonal; if it’s on offer at a local lodge or charter, order it. ~$25–$40.
- King salmon — Smoked salmon is available as a packaged take-home from local processors. ~$15–$30/package.
- Rosie’s Bar & Grill, Pelican — The one consistent food-and-drink spot in Pelican; burgers, basic bar food, cold beer. Cash preferred. ~$10–$18 for a meal.
- Ship galley — Realistically, most cruisers eat lunch on board. Shore food options are extremely limited and not always available, especially in Elfin Cove.
- Foraged berries — In late summer, wild blueberries and salmonberries grow along boardwalk edges. Free, and genuinely delicious.
—
Shopping
Shopping is minimal by design, and that’s part of the charm. Elfin Cove has essentially nothing for sale commercially; Pelican has a small general store (Pelican Trading Post) with basics, local fishing gear, and a small selection of Alaskan-made souvenirs. If you find hand-carved wooden items, locally smoked salmon, or handmade jewelry sold by residents, buy it — these are authentic and won’t be found at a pier gift shop.
Skip anything mass-produced. Generic “Alaska” merchandise sold on the ship is identical to what you’ll find in Juneau or Ketchikan. Save your shopping budget for those larger ports and spend your Chichagof time outside.
—
How to Plan Your
🎟️ Things to Book in Advance
These highly-rated experiences fill up fast — book before you arrive to avoid missing out.
This page contains affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
📍 Getting to Chichagof Island, Alaska, Elfin Cove-Pelican
Use the interactive map below to explore the port area and plan your route from the terminal.
Leave a Reply