Gravina Island
Island Alaskan island near Ketchikan with forested coastline
Across from Ketchikan, Gravina Island hosts Ketchikan International Airport and access points for the Tongass National Forest. Travelers pass through for fishing, kayaking, wildlife viewing and as a staging area for Southeast Alaska excursions.
Gravina Island is an island in the Alexander Archipelago of southeastern Alaska, immediately across Tongass Narrows from the city of Ketchikan. It is sparsely populated and heavily forested, with shoreline and marine habitat typical of the region.
One of the island’s principal facilities is an airport that serves the Ketchikan area. The island’s limited road network and protected coastal landscape are primarily used for airport access, local subsistence and recreation, and small-scale commercial activities.
In the early 2000s the island became the focus of national attention in the United States when a federally funded proposal to build a vehicular bridge to connect the island with Ketchikan was widely criticized and ultimately did not proceed as originally planned. The controversy centered on cost and appropriateness of the proposed infrastructure.
Gravina Island sits across the Tongass Narrows from downtown Ketchikan in southeastern Alaska and is part of the same borough as Ketchikan; its shoreline faces busy marine channels used by ferries and fishing vessels.
- Geographic setting: The island is separated from the city of Ketchikan by Tongass Narrows and lies within the Alexander Archipelago of southeastern Alaska
- Notable controversy: Became widely known in U.S. politics in the 2000s because of a proposed bridge project linking the island to Ketchikan that attracted national attention
What to See #
- Ketchikan International Airport: Ketchikan International Airport occupies the island's western shoreline and is the primary air link for the nearby city of Ketchikan
How to Get to Gravina Island #
Gravina Island lies across Tongass Narrows from Ketchikan, Alaska, and is the location of Ketchikan International Airport. There is no road bridge; the airport is reached by a short scheduled ferry from downtown Ketchikan (the airport ferry/launch connects the town to the airport dock and the crossing takes only a few minutes). From the ferry dock the airport terminal is a short walk; private boats can also access the island from Ketchikan’s harbors.
Tips for Visiting Gravina Island #
- Know that Ketchikan International Airport is located on Gravina Island-if you're connecting through Ketchikan, factor in the short ferry/transfer between the airport and Ketchikan rather than assuming everything is within walking distance.
- Gravina Island is sparsely developed and largely natural; plan logistics (transport, fuel, supplies) in Ketchikan before crossing, as services on Gravina itself are limited.
Best Time to Visit Gravina Island #
Visit Gravina Island in summer for the easiest access, longer daylight and the best weather for outdoor activities.
Weather & Climate near Gravina Island #
Gravina Island's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with cool summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -2°C to 18°C. Heavy rainfall (3453 mm/year), wettest in October.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 4°C and lows of -2°C. Heavy rain (320 mm).
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February
February is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of 0°C. Heavy rain (282 mm).
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March
March is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 0°C. Heavy rain (257 mm).
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April
April is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 2°C. Heavy rain (256 mm).
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May
May is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 5°C. Heavy rain (211 mm).
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June
June is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (172 mm).
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July
July is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 10°C. Significant rainfall (158 mm).
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August
August is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 10°C. Heavy rain (225 mm).
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September
September is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 8°C. Heavy rain (310 mm).
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October
October is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 5°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (515 mm).
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November
November is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 1°C. Heavy rain (391 mm).
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December
December is cold with highs of 4°C and lows of -1°C. Heavy rain (356 mm).
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