Near Islands, Island group in southwestern Alaska, United States.
The Near Islands are an island group comprising about 15 separate land masses at the far western end of the Aleutian chain. They spread across a large area and form the westernmost boundary of the Aleutian arc in Alaska.
Russian explorers named these islands in the 18th century based on their geographic proximity to Russia. They became important reference points for maritime navigation across the North Pacific.
Local residents have practiced fishing and hunting for generations, adapting traditional methods to survive the harsh North Pacific conditions. These activities remain central to how people live on these remote islands today.
Access is mainly through Shemya Island, which has an active airfield. Visitors should plan ahead and prepare for limited transportation options and remote conditions.
The islands experienced a magnitude 7.7 earthquake in 2017 that triggered a tsunami. This wave reached multiple locations across the Pacific Ocean and demonstrated the seismic activity of this region.
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