References

References & Guest Comments

Testimonial

"It’s past due for me to express the complete joy of my family after having visited Afognak Wilderness Lodge on 3 separate occasions over the past 8 years.

The unique log facilities are exquisite with truly First-Class large guest cabins, each with modern comforts & flawlessly tucked into the seaside forest. The cabin-cruisers, skiffs & kayaks were perfect for the distinctly different adventures that awaited us. Each day, we were transported into a new alcove of Heaven on Earth.

My husband & son came with an appetite for the fresh & saltwater fishing (trout, salmon, halibut, ling-cod, yellow-eye, etc.) while my daughter and I were mostly interested in the wildlife photography (Kodiak brown bear, . However, we each have caught our daily limit of salmon, halibut, yellow-eye and ling-cod so my daughter & I were both hooked on fishing from then on . . . it’s wonderful when you can actually catch some really big fish and there’s fish everywhere. My husband and son have also done their share of catch & release trout-fishing from nearby streams.

Our entire family has been left absolutely breathless each time we were surrounded with the tremendous profusion of marine wildlife . . . from jumping humpback whales, killer whales, curious porpoises, roaring sea-lions, adorable sea-otter and phantom-like seal. {It was especially cool to glide our kayak up close to the sea-otter while they were sleeping.} Then, enter the wealth of bird-life . . . bald eagles, puffins, auklets, cormorants, ducks and much more.

Onshore, we snuck up several times on various Kodiak brown bear while they were salmon fishing or scrounging the coastal beaches or hillsides. The deer are plentiful, together with fox, beaver, land-otter and, during the summers, there’s Roosevelt elk in the alpine areas.

We are all ardent on capturing as much of our adventures on film as possible so when not out for an evening kayak “paddle” or fully relaxing in the sauna, we are very busy downloading & sorting our many images and replaying our video-footage. Thankfully, with the lodge’s 24-hour power (via a battery bank that is recharged with both diesel & wind-generators), we can recharge all our equipment overnight. This, in turn, treats our friends & family back home, not to mention feeding our own nostalgia.

Talk about feeding, we were fed like royalty . . . every meal was a feast. This included the wide assortment of local finfish/shellfish, wild game meats & conventional chicken & pork plus fresh baked breads (made from fresh-ground wheat) & pastries plus lots of very fresh fruits & vegetables.

The lodge was built and has been operated, since 1974, by the personable, capable Randall family and their very clean-cut, energetic and capable staff. We, and all the guests we interacted with, were friends by the end of the vacation. Our glowing reports have inspired some friends to make the northbound trek so we are anxious to compare notes when they return."

Julie Hobart,
Independence, Missouri
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Our third time here and we find something new and wonderful everytime. This has become our Alaskan home."

Shizuko Kato
Osaka, Japan

"How amazing to watch seal lion roar, brown bear cross the beach just ahead of us, see rare sea birds and end the day with a 10pm waterski run down the bay! Also nice to see a family working together so well... many talents here."

Parvis and Kay Sadighi
Massachusetts

"This was the BEST lodge we've been to. All the comforts of home in a remote setting. Very friendly people, helpful and obliging... like Laura Ashley marries Eddie Bauer! Caught fish here when all were getting skunked everywhere else. The lodge even added extra fish to our box of frozen fish for the trip home."

Don and Joyce Benioff
California

"Family feeling... just wonderful with small groups being a plus! Very accommodating. Lots of wildlife that we could get close to. It was truly Wonderful."

Lon and Susie Byars family
Texas

"Unique experience due to the fact that the location is in the extreme wilderness. Most beautiful place we have seen."

Ted and Debra Layne
California

"Thank you for a magnificent stay at your lodge. This is one of the most beautiful spots on Earth."

Dutch Photo Club
The Netherlands

"I won't believe my memories. Thank you so much."

Joe Hibbs
Colorado

"Thank God for the Afognak Wilderness Lodge! We needed it! You always make me and my guests at home. I hope we can [be] back next year... don't change a thing."

Dana Astray
California

"Thank you for showing Paradise to us."

Dan and Mercedes Auer
Switzerland

"Absolutely a super time. I come back."

Manfred Ruthmann
Germany

"You are privileged to a part of the world's greatest and most pristine "country club." Take care of it and all the animals & mammals within, for we are judged by the manner in which we treat our animals."

Janet and Eli Rose
Florida

"This is a piece of Heaven. Beautiful property, cabins, etc. Food was excellent. Loved seeing bald eagles and sea otter. Also caught the bug to be fisherman. We had a grand time and we'll return."

Bruce and Cathy Baily
California

"We expected rain and snow, but we found sun and warmth. What a wonderful world of water and landscapes you offered us. Thank you for sharing this heaven-on-earth with us We hope to see you again."

Thomas Zellweger
Weinfelde, Switzerland

"Words and pictures cannot describe this place nor the experiences it has to offer. Thank you. We'll never forget this place."

Dan and Rachel Parnow
California

"We enjoyed very much the wonderful people we met in this beautiful wilderness and we hope to bring the rest of our family next time."

David and Bibi Zambrano
Monterrey, Mexico

"Our appreciation for an incredible experience in this wilderness-microcosm. The entire experience is a true wonder and so very beautiful."

Jerry and Donna Weinstock
Florida

"We are mournful that we must leave tomorrow, but we hope we can come back."

Ulla and Gerd Fey
Roesrath, Germany

"As I end my visit, I think of the thrills I had, the beauty I saw and my day playing with the whales. Your world is beautiful and thank you for sharing it with us all."

Linda Frattura
Massechusetts

"A wonderful week with a very special family. As good or better the second time around..."

Cort and Tammy Frohlich
Florida

"I have never heard of an oasis in the Artic but this is it. Wonderful time we've had."

Jeff Thomas
Oregon

"Returning with friends this year for wildlife and sport fishing. Most beautiful place in the world."

Jim and Marsha Beaty
California

"There truly is an enchanted forest. May it ever remain so. "

Carol Hutchinson
Pennsylvania

"The best wildlife and fishing experience we have ever had and the accommodations were great. We plan to return within a year or two to the dream-lodge. Absolutely awesome, beautiful country. Highly recommend it."

Jesse and Carla Lutz
California

"This has been unquestionably the finest lodge I have ever visited and the most prolific population of any I have observed in the world. An outstanding operation by terrific people."

Dale Hedgepeth
Washington

"We have been to Afognak Wilderness Lodge 8 times, with our 9th trip planned for this year. Afognak Island is truly beautiful and the silver salmon and halibut fishing is one of the best areas and we have fished all over Alaska! We can truly relax and have fun."

Mimi and Kevin Yeager
Alaska

"Truly a Shangri-La. I'll return again and again."

Lee Bailey
Montana