St. Paul: Birdlife, Northern Fur Seals and Culture

St. Paul combines wildlife observation, island history and distinctive cultural experiences. On Saint Paul Island, you can observe birds and Northern fur seals, explore a designated backcountry trail and discover the community and important cultural sites on guided visitor tours. This gives you a range of options for planning a trip that brings active days, wildlife observation and history together.

Birdlife and Northern Fur Seals

Birdlife is one of the most distinctive experiences on Saint Paul Island. At least 315 bird species have been recorded there. They include many rare birds from Asia that strayed off course during migration. In late spring, the number of birds rises to around 200,000. Those who enjoy observing, comparing and photographing wildlife will therefore find a very specific focus for their trip here.

Northern fur seals also shape the character of the island. Saint Paul Island is home to the world's largest colony of these animals. Northern fur seals can be seen from observation huts. For families with different interests, this focus can easily be combined with walks, nature tours or cultural sightseeing, without everyone in the group having to follow the same daily schedule.

Trails, Landscapes and Tours

The St. Paul Island High Bluffs Trail has been designated a National Recreation Trail. It is a 6-mile backcountry trail in the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge. The exact trail length is therefore an important consideration when planning your day. In addition, birds can be observed on the Pribilof Islands by walking along roads and using trails to popular observation sites. This means that both a clearly named longer trail and observations along roads and other trails can form part of a possible trip itinerary.

Saint Paul Island is a destination for nature and cultural tours, where visitors explore the island's history, flora, fauna and wildlife. Visitor tours also include tours of the community of Saint Paul. The Unangan Heritage Museum is included in visitor tours on Saint Paul Island. The Saints Peter and Paul Russian Orthodox Church is also part of such visitor tours. In addition, Saints Peter and Paul Church in Saint Paul was built in 1907 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Those interested in history, religious architecture and the Unangan perspective can consciously include these themes in their trip planning.

Travel Season and Focus When Searching for Accommodation

For the Pribilof Islands, the best time to observe migrating birds and marine mammals is between mid-May and August. The number of fur seals reaches its peak in July. This seasonal guidance helps you determine the focus of your trip: birdwatching, marine mammals, trails or culture can take center stage.

When searching for a holiday apartment in St. Paul, this decision is a sensible starting point. If you want to observe as much as possible, plan your trip around birds and fur seals. If you want to combine different interests, tours of Saint Paul, the museum, the church and the trail can provide a variety of ideas for each day. Choose accommodation that suits your own travel theme and the rhythm of your group, without limiting your stay to just one attraction.

For further trip planning, you can also view Unalaska as a separate destination in the selection.

For the broader travel overview: Aleutians West Census Area.