St. Paul Island

Travelers' Takes

Rates and Deals

The Island of the Seals

A June 1994 trip to St. Paul Island by HangingOver

I used to live on the Island of the Seals and going back was fantastic. It is a small island in the middle of the Bering Sea. The polpulation is made up of 600 Aleuts (native Alaskans) and 800,000 northern fur seals.

  • 8 reviews

The Island of the SealsBest of IgoUgo

Overview

The hiking is excellent. As you walk over the frozen tundra and climb one of the large hills you know you are WAY out there! The beachcombing is also dynamite. Watch for the ivory and glass balls washing up on the shore!

Quick Tips:

The bird rookeries are also incredible. With 1.5 million birds this is a hot spot for any bird watching entusiast. The cliffs are outstanding and the views are breathtaking.

Best Way To Get Around:

You can catch a ride into town with the mail truck or somebody out there. Just ask. There aren't a lot of cars on the island but you can catch one of the two cabs if you want.

St. Paul Island HotelBest of IgoUgo

Hotel | "St. Paul Isand Hotel"

There is only one hotel on the island. If you dont want to stay there you could put up a note in the post office and try to rent a room. You could also ask at the school. Teachers are always looking to make extra $. The hotel is old but it is cozy.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by HangingOver on May 5, 2001

St. Paul Island Hotel
Next to the Post Office St. Paul Island, Alaska

UnipakBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

There is only one restaurant in town and it is actually there for the workers at a fish cannery. The food is really good and there is a lot of it. It is buffet style. Other than this you can get stuff at the local store. There is only one of those, but there is everything you could want to make a killer sandwich. Because everyone has to go home or to the restaurant for lunch, the town shuts down from noon to one o'clock.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by HangingOver on May 5, 2001

Unipak
Behind the Store St. Paul Island, Alaska

FishermanBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

We went down to the harbor and chatted with the fishermen. We asked one of the guys for a ride on his fishing boat. Timon was really friendly and gladly took us out for a ride. The sea was pretty rough and some of us were a little sea sick. If you want to go on a fishing trip you can probably work out a deal on an individula basis.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by HangingOver on May 5, 2001

Fisherman
Harbor St. Paul Island, Alaska

St. Paul Island JunkyardBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Junkyard"

This isn't your everyday junkyard. There is no real way to get trash off the island so this stuff has been there for a long time. Lots of old machines and metal. Interesting to say the least.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by HangingOver on May 5, 2001

St. Paul Island Junkyard
St. Paul Island St. Paul Island, Alaska

St. Paul Island BarBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

It's the only bar on the island. It will be full of Aleuts and it will seem pretty rough. People get pretty loaded in there so keep your eye out!
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by HangingOver on May 5, 2001

St. Paul Island Bar
Next to the hotel St. Paul Island, Alaska

Rookery BeachBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Rookery"

If you go out to the Biologist camphouse (on the road that leads to the airport)you can find someone that will take you out there. You are not legally allowed to go out there on your own. The biologists can show what it's like and give you lots of info. Definitely worth the trip. This is one of the reasons you are on this island!
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by HangingOver on May 5, 2001

Rookery Beach
St. Paul Island St. Paul Island, Alaska

St. Paul Island Seal HarvestBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "The Harvest"

I missed this but every year the Aleut population is allowed to harvest 2,500 seals for subsistence. It is said to be quite a festival and time of year. Considering it's summer and warm at this time, you should base your trip on it!
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by HangingOver on May 5, 2001

St. Paul Island Seal Harvest
St. Paul Island St. Paul Island, Alaska

About the Writer

HangingOver
HangingOver
Cairo, Egypt

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