Gravina IslandGravina Island at a Glance
About Gravina Island
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
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.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | -2° - 4° | -3° | 320 mm | - | - | 4.3 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | -1° - 5° | -2° | 282 mm | - | - | 4.2 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 0° - 6° | 0° | 257 mm | - | - | 4.1 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 2° - 9° | 3° | 256 mm | - | - | 3.9 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 5° - 13° | 7° | 211 mm | - | - | 3.7 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 8° - 16° | 12° | 172 mm | - | - | 3.5 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 10° - 18° | 14° | 158 mm | - | - | 3.2 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 11° - 18° | 14° | 225 mm | - | - | 3.1 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 8° - 15° | 12° | 310 mm | - | - | 3.3 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 5° - 10° | 5° | 515 mm | - | - | 3.9 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 1° - 6° | 4° | 391 mm | - | - | 4.2 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | -1° - 5° | -2° | 356 mm | - | - | 4.2 m/s | - | - |
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.