The Prince of Wales Island is full of exciting adventures waiting to be explored! Why limit yourself to just one? Expand your options by perusing the Island Visitor Guide provided by the Chamber of Commerce. It’s the perfect way to discover all the island has to offer!
Coffman Cove
Distance from Ferry Terminal: 74 miles
Tlingit: Tatxánk
Coffman Cove is a quiet coastal community on the eastern side of Prince of Wales Island, known for its scenic harbor, fishing opportunities, and slower pace of life. Accessible by road, boat, or floatplane, it’s an easy place to settle in and take in the surroundings.
Originally established as a logging camp in the 1950s, the community has evolved, especially following the closure of the Ketchikan pulp mill in the 1990s. Today, Coffman Cove is shaped by its strong commercial and recreational fishing industry and its connection to the water.
Whether you’re stopping in for a visit or staying a while, Coffman Cove offers a peaceful setting and a true sense of island life.
Craig
Distance from Ferry Terminal: 29.8 mi
Tlingit: Sháan Séet
Craig is the largest community on Prince of Wales Island and serves as a central hub for services, transportation, and fishing. With a history spanning over a century, the city celebrated its Centennial in 2022 and continues to play an important role in island life.
Located along the coast, Craig offers easy access to the water, making it a popular spot for fishing and wildlife viewing. Visitors will also find a range of amenities, including local shops, dining, and recreation facilities like the community pool and gym.
For those looking to explore, nearby parks and trails, including Sunnahae Trail and Graveyard Island Trail, offer opportunities to experience the island’s natural beauty.
Edna Bay
Distance from Ferry Terminal: 51.6 miles
Edna Bay is a small, remote community on the eastern side of Prince of Wales Island, offering a quieter and more secluded experience. With its close connection to the water and surrounding forest, it reflects the slower pace of life found in many of the island’s smaller communities.
Accessible by road, boat, or floatplane, Edna Bay is a place where visitors can step away from the busier parts of the island and enjoy a more peaceful setting.
Hollis
Distance from Ferry Terminal: 1 mi
Hollis is the home port of the Inter-Island Ferry Authority and the primary gateway to Prince of Wales Island. This is where travelers arrive and begin their journey across the island.
Located along the eastern shoreline, Hollis offers convenient access by both sea and air, with the floatplane dock situated next to the ferry terminal. Originally a mining town and later a logging camp, the community was established in its current form in 1980 through land sales.
Today, Hollis is a small, close-knit community with essential services including a school, library, and volunteer emergency services. Nearby, the Harris River Picnic Area provides a scenic place to stop, with views of the surrounding mountains and waterways.
Hydaburg
Distance from Ferry Terminal: 51.6 mi
Haida: Higdáa G̱ándlaay
Located on the southwestern coast of Prince of Wales Island, Hydaburg is accessible by road, boat, or floatplane. The drive into the community follows the Hydaburg Highway, with access to Forest Service trails, picnic areas, and scenic stops along the way.
Hydaburg is a Haida community with deep cultural roots. In the 1700s, Haida people migrated from Haida Gwaii to Prince of Wales Island, first settling in Kasaan before eventually consolidating in what is now Hydaburg by 1911.
Today, the community remains closely connected to the land and sea, with traditions and values that continue to shape daily life. Visitors can explore local totem parks and experience the cultural significance that defines the area.
Kasaan
Distance from Ferry Terminal: 67.3 mi (by highway) 8.7 nautical miles
Tlingit: Kasa’aan
Haida: Gasa’áan
Located on the eastern side of Prince of Wales Island, Kasaan is a small Haida village with deep historical and cultural significance. The community sits near the original Haida settlement on the island, maintaining a strong connection to its roots.
Kasaan is home to the Chief Son-i-Hat Whale House, the only remaining traditional Haida longhouse in the United States, as well as the Totem Historic District, where visitors can experience preserved totem poles and cultural sites.
The Organized Village of Kasaan (OVK) offers guided tours and lodging for those looking to explore the area more fully. Visitors are encouraged to be respectful of the land and the cultural importance of these sites.
Klawock
Distance from Ferry Terminal: 23.2 mi
Tlingit: Lawáak
The island’s “center” is located in Klawock, where paved scenic byways intersect. Explorers can head south to Craig, east to Hollis, or north to communities on the Northern end of the Island. It’s worth noting that the largest employee-owned sawmill and the only airport runway on POW can be found here. Klawock has a rich history, being the site of the first salmon cannery in Alaska, opened in 1878 by a San Francisco firm.
The town is also a significant center of Tlingit culture, with Totem Pole Park housing 21 replicas of poles that once stood in Tuxekan, where the Heenya Kwaan people’s winter village was. Visitors to POW can witness the raising of new totem poles, which are large celebrations on the island. The heritage center is also a great place to visit with carvers and watch them at work.
Fishing enthusiasts of all levels will be pleased with the variety of options available on POW. Rivers, lakes, and seas provide ample opportunities for both novice and experienced anglers, whether they choose to be guided or go it alone. And with a range of lodging and accommodation choices, there’s something for everyone in Klawock.
We are always looking for photos to post of our communities, email [email protected] your photo of Klawock to be featured on our website.
Naukati
Distance from Ferry Terminal: 66 mi
Tlingit: Nàakig̱èey
In 2017, the road to the harbor in Naukati was finally paved, opening up new opportunities for visitors to this quaint former logging town. One of the highlights of the area is the Naukati Bay Shellfish Nursery, which is nestled peacefully in the bay near the float dock and boat launch. This nursery is ready to provide oyster spat to oyster farms in the area, taking advantage of the growing oyster production industry in Naukati. It’s a great time to visit and explore all that this charming town has to offer!
We are always looking for photos to post of our communities, email [email protected] your photo of Naukati to be featured on our website.
Thorne Bay
Distance from Ferry Terminal: 56.6 mi
Thorne Bay first appeared on the US Census as Tolstoi Bay, an unincorporated settlement with only 17 residents. Fast forward to 1970, and Thorne Bay resurfaced as an unincorporated village with 443 residents. Today, it’s home to 476 residents, according to the 2020 Census.
If you’re ever in Thorne Bay, make sure to check out “The Claw” at the welcome sign. This massive log-handling grapple is the world’s largest and is a nod to the town’s former status as the largest logging camp during the 60s. It makes for a unique photo opportunity that you won’t find anywhere else.
Thorne Bay is also a great jumping-off point to explore some of the most popular US Forest Service Recreation Areas on the island, such as Eagles Nest Campground, Balls Lake, and Sand Beach.
We are always looking for photos to post of our communities, email [email protected] your photo of Thorne Bay to be featured on our website.
Whale Pass
Distance from Ferry Terminal: 85.9 mi
If you’re looking for adventure, Whale Pass is the place to be. You won’t find many places farther north on POW. There are plenty of recreational sites to explore in this town, but one that stands out is El Capitan Cave. It’s the deepest vertical shaft in the U.S. and is open for summertime tours through the U.S. Forest Service. Whale Pass is also known for its frequent sightings of Orcas and Humpback whales. It’s hard to imagine a more picturesque location. Interestingly, until the early 1980s, this town was not connected to the island’s road system.
We are always looking for photos to post of our communities, email [email protected] your photo of Whale Pass to be featured on our website.
NOT LOCATED ON PRINCE OF WALES
Ketchikan
Tlingit: Kichx̱áan
If you’re planning a trip to Alaska, chances are that Ketchikan will be your first taste of this beautiful state. Whether you’re passing through on your way to Anchorage, cruising through the Inside Passage, or heading to POW, Ketchikan is known as Alaska’s First City. The town was established in 1885, but the Tlingit people had been using the area as a summer fish camp long before that. Ketchikan’s economy is diverse and thriving, with fishing industries, canneries, tourism, government, and forestry all playing important roles in the area. However, back in the early 1900s, Ketchikan was infamous for its “Red Light District” on Creek Street. Today, you can visit Dolly’s House and learn about the history of this unique street built on stilts.
We are always looking for photos to post of our communities, email [email protected] your photo of Ketchikan to be featured on our website.
Metlakatla
Regularly serviced by AMHS, IFA fills in whenever necessary to serve the community.
Tlingit: Tàakw.àani
Tsimshian: Maxłakxaała
If you’re interested in exploring the Tsimshian way of life, Metlakatla is a great place to visit. Located 20 miles south of Ketchikan on Annette Island, it’s the only Indian Reserve in Alaska. Met’s economy relies on fishing, service, tourism, and forest products, so there’s plenty to see and do. Most visitors go to Metlakatla aboard a guided tour that departs from Ketchikan, which is an excursion for cruise ship passengers. If you’re planning on staying over 24 hours, be sure to apply for a visitor permit. In addition to the community arts center, totem poles, and traditional longhouse, there are plenty of other sights and activities to enjoy in Metlakatla. Whether you’re interested in culture, history, or outdoor adventure, you’re sure to find something that suits your interests.
We are always looking for photos to post of our communities, email [email protected] your photo of Metlakatla to be featured on our website.
If there are any errors present on this page, either of community information or the misspelling of any Tlingit or Haida town names please do not hesitate to let us know.