Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge

Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge encompasses thousands of islands, headlands, rocks, and reefs scattered across Alaska's coastal waters. This expansive network of land and sea creates a diverse habitat stretching from the far north to the southern Aleutian chain.

The refuge was established in 1980 to protect these valuable coastal areas. Military installations left behind during World War II remain visible in the landscape, particularly along the Aleutian Islands chain.

Eight Indigenous groups including the Unangax̂, Alutiiq, Yup'ik, and Iñupiat have deep roots here and continue hunting and fishing according to traditional practices passed down through generations. You can see evidence of this heritage in the small communities scattered throughout the refuge.

Visiting requires access by boat or aircraft since there are no road connections. The visitor center in Homer offers information and materials to help plan your exploration of the refuge.

The refuge holds the largest concentration of seabirds in North America, with roughly 40 million birds representing about 30 different species. This enormous gathering makes it one of the continent's most significant breeding and feeding grounds for marine birds.