Alexander Archipelago

The Alexander Archipelago is a large group of coastal islands in southeastern Alaska, consisting of roughly 1,000 to 1,100 islands that line the Alaska Panhandle. The islands are largely glaciated in origin and are covered by temperate rainforest, fjords and rugged mountains.

Major islands include Admiralty, Chichagof, Baranof and Prince of Wales, many of which host dense old-growth forest and critical salmon streams. The archipelago offers extensive wilderness, wildlife viewing for species such as brown bears and bald eagles, and marine navigation routes used by ferries and fishing vessels.

The islands are the traditional territories of Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian peoples and later saw Russian and American activity during the fur trade and resource development eras. Much of the archipelago’s landscape was shaped by repeated glaciation and subsequent sea-level rise that drowned coastal valleys to form the current island chain.

Geographically the Alexander Archipelago runs along the southeastern Alaskan coast between the Gulf of Alaska and the Pacific, forming the inner and outer channels of the Alaska Panhandle. The group stretches for several hundred kilometres and lies adjacent to communities such as Juneau, Sitka and Ketchikan.

• Scale: The archipelago comprises roughly 1,000 to 1,100 named islands, islets and rocks along southeastern Alaska’s coast and forms part of the Alaska Panhandle.
• Environment: Much of the land falls within the Tongass National Forest and consists of glaciated mountains, fjords, dense temperate rainforest and important salmon and wildlife habitat.

What to See#

• Admiralty Island: Admiralty Island - a large, forested island known for dense brown bear populations and old-growth temperate rainforest; part of the Tongass National Forest.
• Chichagof and Baranof Islands: Chichagof and Baranof Islands - among the largest in the group, featuring rugged coastlines, fjords, and extensive temperate rainforest typical of the archipelago.
• Prince of Wales Island: Prince of Wales Island - one of the largest islands in the archipelago with rugged terrain, salmon streams and remote communities.

Regional airlines serve hub towns (Juneau, Ketchikan, Sitka) and the Alaska Marine Highway ferry system links many islands; private charters and fishing boat transfers are also common. Plan itineraries around ferry schedules, which vary seasonally.

• Travel between islands on the Alaska Marine Highway ferry system for the most practical access; schedules are highly seasonal.
• Plan for limited services: many communities in the archipelago have small stores and few tourist facilities.
• Bring rain gear and layers - the Alexander Archipelago's weather is maritime and often wet.