Juneau, Alaska

Coordinates: 58.21'30 N, 134.34'58 W
City Map: Click Here

Juneau serves as our base of operations.  Juneau is home to around 31,000 people and is one of the most spectacular areas in Southeast Alaska.  At the airport, passengers have access to a restaurant, gift shop, coffee stand, bus stop, taxis, rental cars and, of course, Alaska Airlines.  A small visitor's center in the baggage claim area provides bus schedules, ferry schedules, hotel information and numerous brochures on Juneau activities.  Alaska Seaplanes is located in the east wing of the terminal, just past the gift shop.  

During the summer, Alaska Seaplanes uses straight floats and operates out of the "Pond," a strip of water running parallel with the runway that is used for arrivals and departures.  Passengers are escorted from our counter area to vans and driven across the ramp to board the planes.  In the winter, we use amphibious floats and operate from the runway.

Juneau is an extremely popular tourism destination in the summer.  Major cruise lines bring ships into Gastineau Channel and deposit thousands of passengers to embark on adventures such as hiking, flightseeing, glacier viewing, dog sledding, kayaking, sport fishing, whale watching, world class shopping and enjoying fantastic seafood.

Winter in Juneau provides opportunities for classic winter activities such as skiing at Eagle Crest, cross country skiing near frozen lakes, snow shoeing, ice skating and hockey.  Juneau is home to many amazingly talented people who provide the community with symphony and choir performances, arts and crafts fairs and plays.

Angoon, Alaska

Coordinates: 57.29'49 N, 134.34'25 W

Angoon is the largest permanent settlement of Admiralty Island. It is located on an isthmus at the mouth of Kootznahoo Inlet on the west side of the island. Angoon is 60 miles southwest of Juneau, and flying time is approximately 40 minutes each way.  The city is home to 500-600 people, and while the economy is based on fishing and fish processing, Chatham School District is the primary employer. 

In Tlingit, the term Kootznahoo means "fortress of brown bears."  Admiralty Island has one of the highest populations of bears in Alaska.  It is estimated that there are 1,600 to 1,700 brown bears on Admiralty, which outnumber the human residents by approximately three to one.  

Passengers arrive on the harbor and follow a ramp up from the dock to our office after being met by one of our agents. 

Current Conditions: Click Here
Aviation Webcam: Click Here

Lodging:
Whalers Cove Sportfishing Lodge

Tenakee Springs, Alaska

Coordinates: 57.46′41″N 135.13′11″W

Tenakee Springs is a beautiful, community-oriented town located on Chichagof Island.  Flight time is approximately 30 minutes each way.  Passengers arrive on the harbor and are greeted at the dock by one of our agents.  Sea kayaking, fishing, whale watching, hiking and hunting are popular activities in the Tenakee area.  Early prospectors and fishermen sought out the natural, 107 degree hot mineral springs that can be enjoyed by tourists.

Many people live a subsistence lifetsyle and live off what they acquire hunting and fishing.  Residents in Tenakee work for a variety of employers including the Chatham School District, U.S. Postal Service and local businesses.

Lodging:
Tenakee Hot Springs Lodge

Pelican, Alaska

Coordinates: 57.57′30″N 136.13′27″W

Pelican, Alaska is a remote fishing destination located on Chichagof Island inside Southeast Alaska’s stunning Inside Passage.  Nestled inside Lisianski Inlet, Pelican is next door to some of the best fishing grounds in Alaska for both inside and outside waters.  A boardwalk community, the town of Pelican has none of the commercialized tourism that visitors see in the larger towns of Juneau or Ketchikan.  With no roads and a population of approximately 150, this rustic spot is the perfect getaway for unwinding and enjoying the “real” Alaska.  The residents of Pelican are friendly, hard working people who love the area in which they live. 

Founded in 1936 as a commercial fishing site, the F/V Pelican arrived to build a cold storage as it was closer to the fishing grounds than the cold storage in Sitka.  Prior to its popularity in the fishing industry, the Pelican area had a history of gold mining.  The mine had produced 18,000 ounces of gold and was shutting down its operation when the F/V Pelican arrived.  In 1942, Pelican Cold Storage opened its doors for business and processed 1 million pounds of fish over the course of the first year.  In 1942, Pelican was officially recognized as an organized town within the territory.

Present day visitors to Pelican can choose from a variety of summer activities and lodging.  Fishing has been, and continues to be, the largest attraction.  Several fishing lodges have made their home in Pelican, as have a handful of other local businesses.  Relax at the end of the day at Rose’s Bar and Grill swapping fishing stories while enjoying dinner.

Varieties of salmon can be found in the waters around Pelican, with Kings ranging between 25-45 pounds.  Every year in June, Pelican hosts a Salmon Derby, where participants compete for prizes.  Halibut fishing is also a main attraction, with catches weighing up to 300 pounds.  Fresh water fishing is available in nearby streams and lakes, where Cutthroat, Dolly Varden and/or Rainbow Trout flourish.

Avid kayakers favor the waters around Pelican for its stunning beauty and seemingly endless coastlines amongst protected waters.  Wildlife such as brown bear and Sitka blacktail deer can be seen from kayaks as they navigate the numerous coves and beaches.  Photographers have gravitated towards the area to get shots of eagles, kingfishers, puffins and whales set against the spectacular backdrop of peaks reaching up to 4,000 feet above sea level.

Approximately 20 miles from Pelican by boat, visitors can enjoy a soak and relax their fishing muscles at the White Sulphur Hot Springs.  The Forest Service maintains a cabin at the Springs, and both inside and outside pools are offered as well as the use of a bathhouse.   Refresh yourself for another day of fishing with a long soak while lazily admiring the scenery and listening to gentle waves. 

Transportation into and out of Pelican is by floatplane or boat.  The Alaska Marine Highway runs a state ferry into Pelican every two weeks in the summer, and Alaska Seaplanes runs a year round schedule with DeHavilland Beavers.

Visitors won’t easily find a more spectacular or fun place in Southeast. 

PADDLE HOUSE

The Paddle House, owned by Alaska Seaplane Service in Juneau, offers a vacation rental located in the middle of town.  The Paddle House is a one bedroom vacation rental complete with a living room, full kitchen and bathroom.  The Paddle House features a queen size bed, and offers an attached bunkhouse for up to two additional guests.  It is located next to the Pelican office of Alaska Seaplane Service, and is centrally located on the boardwalk.

Lodging:
Paddle House
Chicobi Charters
Highliner Lodge & Charters
Lisianski Inlet Wilderness Lodge & Charters
J & S Lodging
Lisianski Inlet Cafe & Charters

Restaurants:
Rose's Bar and Grill
Lisianski Inlet Cafe & Charters

Elfin Cove, Alaska

Elfin Cove is a tiny community at the edge of the open ocean.  Located at the northern tip of Chichagof Island, Elfin Cove was founded by fishermen who lived on their boats; it offered a good place to winter. The pioneers of Elfin Cove were involved with commercial fishing, fox farming, raising potatoes and other ventures.  Eventually, structures emerged and a post office was built.

The town is made up of a boardwalk system; there are no roads.  It continues to be a fishing community where residents enjoy a rustic way of life surrounded by amazing scenery.  Passengers to Elfin Cove are met at the float dock on the harbor.

Current Conditions: Click Here

Lodging:
Elfin Cove Lodge
Eagle Charters Cross Sound Lodge