St. Matthew IslandAbout St. Matthew Island
St. Matthew Island is a remote, uninhabited island in the Bering Sea administered as part of Alaska and is notable for ecological studies of introduced reindeer populations.
The island is not served by regular transport and has no visitor facilities; access is difficult and typically limited to scientific or authorized expeditions. Natural features are tundra and coastal habitat with important seabird and marine mammal use.
In 1944 a small number of reindeer were introduced to the island; the population expanded to several thousand by the 1950s and subsequently crashed to a few dozen, a widely cited case in ecological research on carrying capacity and density-dependent effects. The island is now uninhabited and managed for wildlife conservation.
St. Matthew Island lies in the Bering Sea within Alaska’s maritime zone and is isolated from the mainland, reachable only by vessel or specialized aircraft with prior authorization.
- Ecological study: Introduced reindeer reached a peak population in the mid-20th century and then collapsed, a classic example in population ecology of overshoot and crash.
Best Time to Visit St. Matthew Island
Visits are limited to a short summer window and need coordination with the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge.
Weather & Climate near St. Matthew Island
St. Matthew Island's climate is classified as Tundra - Tundra climate with cold summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from -12°C to 10°C. Moderate rainfall (673 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | -11° - -6° | -17° | 45 mm | - | - | 7.4 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | -12° - -7° | -18° | 40 mm | - | - | 7.5 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | -12° - -7° | -18° | 43 mm | - | - | 6.7 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | -9° - -4° | -14° | 43 mm | - | - | 6.3 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | -3° - 1° | -6° | 35 mm | - | - | 5.4 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 2° - 7° | 0° | 33 mm | - | - | 4.8 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 5° - 10° | 4° | 53 mm | - | - | 4.9 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 6° - 10° | 5° | 92 mm | - | - | 5.4 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 3° - 7° | 1° | 79 mm | - | - | 6.2 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | -2° - 2° | -6° | 79 mm | - | - | 6.8 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | -5° - -1° | -11° | 77 mm | - | - | 8.3 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | -9° - -4° | -15° | 54 mm | - | - | 7.9 m/s | - | - |
How to Get to St. Matthew Island
Access is only by private boat or chartered aircraft out of Nome or other western Alaska hubs and requires coordination with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge). Landing conditions are unpredictable; most visitors are scientists or authorized personnel.
Tips for Visiting St. Matthew Island
- Obtain permission and current landing rules from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service before planning a visit; the island is part of the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge and is remote.
- Prepare for no services: carry all fuel, food, communications and emergency gear; weather can change without warning.
- Travel only with experienced Arctic pilots or captains; landings are difficult and conditions may make return impossible for days.