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Alaska Marine Highway Gulf Coast Route

All routes within the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) are, collectively, an All-American Road. The Gulf Coast Route of the All-American Road encompasses the Alaska Marine Highway service in Southcentral Alaska, Kodiak and the Aleutian Islands.

Prince William Sound

The Prince William Sound ferry routes take you through the incredible beauty of the Gulf of Alaska and Lower Cook Inlet. Glaciers and fjords, concentrations of seabirds and marine wildlife may be seen at every turn. The AMHS ferry transits Prince William Sound daily during the summer, linking towns and villages and providing visitors access to a bounty of recreational and sight-seeing opportunities.

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MV Tustumena leaving Homer, Alaska DOT&PF

Kodiak & the Aleutians

From the gentle coastal grasslands of its islands to the rumbling snow-capped volcanoes along its shores, Southwest Alaska is a region known for its spirit of adventure. Stretching from Kodiak Island to the Aleutian Chain, it is home to the largest brown bears in the world, as well as walrus, seals, dozens of species of seabirds, giant halibut and plentiful salmon runs. It also has many rich cultural and historical treasures.

Master Interpretive Plan for the Alaska Marine Highway, Kodiak, and the Aleutians Segment - June 2009

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The Russian Orthodox Cathedral of the Holy Ascension is Unalaska's most famous landmark. Credit: Aneta Synan, ADOT&PF

Highlights image

  • Learn about Prince William Sound's abundant marine life at the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward.
  • Sail along the Pacific "Rim of Fire," which traverses the Alaska Peninsula out to the Aleutian Islands.
  • Ride the ferry to the Marine Highway's westernmost port, Unalaska, bombed by the Japanese during WW II and now home to a large fishing fleet.
  • Valdez is the terminus of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline and an extreme skier's paradise.
  • Use Homer as a base to explore or fish beautiful Kachemak Bay.
  • Make Kodiak your destination for unmatched fishing and outstanding wildlife viewing opportunities. The world's largest carnivore, the legendary Kodiak Brown Bear, calls the island home.

Calendar of a nnual Events

January

  • Russian Christmas and Starring
    Regionwide, January 7-9
  • Russian New Year & Masquerade Ball
    Kodiak

February

  • Polar Bear Run
    Unalaska, 907-581-1297

March

  • Comfish Alaska
    3rd largest commercial fishing show on the Pacific Coast
    Kodiak, 907-486-5557

April

  • Whalefest: A Migration Celebration
    Kodiak, 907-486-3737

May

  • Koniag's Kodiak Crab Festival
    Memorial Day weekend
    Kodiak
  • Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival
    Homer, 235-7740

July

  • Fourth of July celebrations
    Regionwide
  • Mount Ballyhoo Run
    Unalaska, 907-581-1297
  • Bear Country Music Festival
    Kodiak, 907-486-7004

September

  • Kodiak State Fair and Rodeo
    Labor Day Weekend
    Kodiak, 907-487-4488
  • Blueberry Bash
    Last weekend in September
    Unalaska, 907-581-2612

October

  • Run the Rock Marathon
    Kodiak, 907-486-4782
  • Zombie Run
    Kodiak, 907-486-4782

December

  • Harbor Stars - Christmas Fleet Parade
    Kodiak, 907-486-8080
  • New Years Eve Fireworks
    Unalaska, 907-581-1251

Visitor Contact Information

Alaska Marine Highway System
800-642-0066
ask_amhs@dot.state.ak.us

ADF&G Wildlife Viewing Information

Aleutian World War II Nat'l Historic Area
907-581-1276

Homer Visitor Information Center
907-235-7740
201 Sterling Highway, Homer, AK 99603
info@homeralaska.org

Kodiak Island Visitor's Bureau
907-486-4782
100 Marine Way STE 200, Kodiak, AK 99615
visit@kodiak.org

Southwest Alaska Visitor Information
907-562-7380
info@swamc.org

Unalaska/Port of Dutch Harbor Visitor's Bureau
877-581-2612
PO Box 545, Unalaska, AK 99685
unalaskacvb@gmail.com

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See Kodiak brown bears in their natural habitat. Alaska DOT&PF
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Aleutians World War II Visitor Center in Unalaska. Peter Metcalfe, Alaska DOT&PF

 

Questions about the Scenic Byways web site? dot.scenic.byways@alaska.gov