Afognak Island Alaska Wildlife Viewing

   

About The Kodiak Islands Wildlife

Multiple boats and guides provide yet another choice... outstanding almost mosquitoless wildlife viewing. Awaiting you is a wide array of wildlife including the popular Kodiak Brown Bear, assorted sea mammals, soaring bald eagles and comical puffins. Guests have often included international filming crews who capture the unique combination of wildlife this area offers. Some veteran travelers consider Denali Park to be their best time investment for interior wildlife and Afognak Island's north end as their best time investment for marine wildlife, due to the variety and abundance available. The new Afognak Island State Park has been established to preserve this delightful combination in its stunningly beautiful "enchanted" forest and fjord setting.

   

Sea Mammals Wildlife

Sea Lions    

Within a half hour boat trip from the lodge, there's an island with several hundred sea lion that put on quite a good show, both on their island and in the water, surrounding our boats. It is pretty thrilling as they roar their hearts out... be sure to have plenty of film so you can share your memories when you return home!

Seal    

Our Seal Bay was not given it's name without good reason. The females herd up here in May & June to give birth & tend to their pups. While the salmon are running, its not unusual to find seal in the shallow rivers chasing down their next meal.

Sea Otter    

Until 1911, the Russians heavily hunted these friendly mammals that are considered to have the most valuable pelts in the world. Their population has nicely recovered from near extinction to multiple thousands and, from our dining room and your guest cabin, some of them are in full view as they crack clam shells open with a rock on their chests.

Various Whales    

Killer Whales "king of the sea," Gray Whales, Humpbacks, Finbacks, Minke all migrate through here and put on quite a show... with 3-40 whales in a pod... which can be seen while out enjoying everything else.

Porpoises    

These are equally as friendly as sea otters and can be seen traveling in groups of 6-12. Racing alongside or diving crisscross underneath our boats, is one of the most familiar ways they are seen.

   

   

   

Land Mammals

Kodiak Brown Bear    

The world's largest bear! Kodiak Brown Bear can be seen both on the multitude of saltwater beaches and along salmon creeks, in a completely natural environment.

Roosevelt Elk    

These elk have their only Alaskan home here on our Afognak Island. Until early June, they are down low, but as summer progresses, you've got some up hill hiking to do to get an eyeful. Herd numbers range between 40-100 animals.

Sitka Blacktail Deer    

Sitka Blacktail Deer are plentiful and can be scattered throughout our lush forest, grassy hillsides and along the beaches while getting their quota of natural salt-licks.

Small Game    

For extra interest and amusement, Nature has provided Land (River) Otter, Beaver, Fox, Marten and Ermine (Weasel).

   

Afognak Island Birding

Onshore Birds    

Bald Eagles, Hawks, Magpies, Crows, Ravens, Snipes, Oyster Catchers, Varied Thrushes, Woodpeckers, Kingfishers and Water Ouzels are the kinds commonly seen although there many still left unmentioned.

Off-shore Birds    

The more abundant varieties are the Tufted and Horned Puffins (also known as Sea Parrots), Cormorant, Auklets, Murres, Loons, Petrals, Shearwaters and various Sea Gulls, Terns and Ducks.