Little Diomede Island

Little Diomede Island is a small, inhabited island in the Bering Strait that is part of the U.S. state of Alaska. It is one of the two main Diomede Islands and lies very close to the Russian island of Big Diomede.

The island hosts a small Inupiat village that carries out subsistence hunting and fishing and receives periodic supplies by air and sea. Access is seasonal and weather-dependent, with helicopters, boats and winter ice travel used at different times of year.

Historically the Diomede Islands have been inhabited by indigenous Arctic peoples for centuries and have featured in 20th century geopolitical discussions because of their frontier location between the United States and Russia. The islands’ proximity has made them notable during Cold War and post-Cold War periods.

Little Diomede sits in the middle of the Bering Strait roughly between Alaska’s mainland and the Russian Chukotka coast, a few kilometres from Big Diomede and well above the Arctic Circle.

• Date line separation: Separated from Russian-held Big Diomede by about 4 kilometres and the International Date Line, giving the islands a one-day time difference despite proximity.

What to See#

• Diomede village: The village of Diomede on the island is the principal settlement and base for local subsistence activities and seasonal supplies.

• Accept that Little Diomede is remote and access is very limited - the island is served only by irregular air or sea transport and has no tourist infrastructure, so arrange any visit well in advance with local carriers and the island community.
• Plan for weather-dependent travel windows and flexible schedules - flights and boats are frequently delayed or canceled by Bering Sea conditions, so allow extra time and minimal onward commitments.
• If you cannot get permission to land, view the island legally from approved sightseeing flights or boat charters operating from mainland hubs (charters will brief you on safe viewing distances and regulations).