Klawock Island: Alaska’s New Cultural Cruise Port

Posted onAuthorChris Owen

  • Klawock Island’s rapid growth in cruise ship calls
  • Indigenous ownership and cultural immersion
  • Diverse luxury and expedition cruise line partnerships
  • Focus on local culture, history, and nature through excursions

Klawock Island, Alaska’s newest Indigenous-owned cruise destination, commenced operations in May 2024 with its inaugural ship call from the Seabourn Odyssey. The port has demonstrated significant growth, with scheduled ship calls increasing from 6 in 2024 to 23 in 2025, and further to 57 for the 2026 season. This cultural destination is attracting a range of luxury and expedition cruise lines, including Seabourn, Silversea, Hurtigruten, Azamara, Crystal Cruises, and the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. Guests are drawn by the opportunity to experience a small Alaska Native community and gain insight into its way of life.

Situated near the Tlingit village of Klawock on Prince of Wales Island’s Pacific coast, Klawock Island is a project by Na-Dena, a joint venture between the Alaska Native corporations Huna Totem Corporation and Doyon, Limited, alongside Klawock Heenya, the Native village corporation of Klawock. The development draws on the expertise gained from Huna Totem Corporation’s Icy Strait Point cruise ship destination in Hoonah. Klawock Island has been carefully designed to welcome visitors, featuring a floating tender dock, welcome facilities, retail options for Alaska Native arts and crafts, and various shore excursions. These excursions are crafted to highlight the region’s culture, history, and natural environment.

Shore excursions offered include a River Hatchery and Lake Kayak Adventure, which allows guests to explore the Klawock River Hatchery and kayak Klawock Lake while learning about local wildlife and the significance of fish to the community. A Wildlife Marine Tour provides a guided boat trip to observe marine life such as humpback whales and sea otters. The Klawock Highlights Tour covers historical sites like the Klawock River Trail, the Carving Shed, and Klawock Totem Park. Additionally, the Taste of Klawock and Totem Tour combines local culinary experiences with visits to totem poles, accompanied by cultural narratives from guides.