Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge

Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge Welcome to the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge page. For official information about the Refuge, go to http://alaskamaritime.fws.gov/.

For more about the Fish and Wildlife service, go to www.fws.gov. The Refuge's 3.4 million acres include the spectacular volcanic islands of the Aleutian chain, the seabird cliffs of the remote Pribilofs, and icebound lands washed by the Chukchi Sea, providing essential habitat for some 40 million seabirds, representing more than 30 species.

Meet the St. Matthew singing vole. These creatures are endemic to Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, meaning they...
08/25/2026

Meet the St. Matthew singing vole. These creatures are endemic to Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, meaning they cannot be found in any other parts of the world. This year, a team of biologists went to Hall Island, St. Matthew Island's next-door neighbor, and had some things to say about these little vocalists... "[the singing voles] are everywhere... and have been singing all over the island... they are plump and very cute", even Captain Dan chimed in, "they are as big as a hamster!"

Quote by Alexis Will / USFWS
📷Heather Renner / USFWS

This Thursday, August 27th, we are back with another Pre-K Puffins program. Our theme of the month is blue whales! 🐳Join...
08/24/2026

This Thursday, August 27th, we are back with another Pre-K Puffins program. Our theme of the month is blue whales! 🐳Join us for crafts, activities, and stories. Activities are aimed at kids ages 3-5 but siblings are always welcome.

Our morning session will be 10:00 am - 11:00 am.
Our afternoon session will be 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm.

For additional information contact Ranger Kendra at [email protected]

📷 NOAA/NOS/NMS/CINMS; National Marine Sanctuaries Media Library | Josh Kaye-Carr

[Edited] Seal Cape is located along the southern coast of the Alaska Peninsula. This impressive location showcases where...
08/20/2026

[Edited] Seal Cape is located along the southern coast of the Alaska Peninsula. This impressive location showcases where jagged mountains greet the vast Pacific.

📷Brie Drummond/USFWS

You know "fall" is here when the sandhill cranes start their Fly-In to Beluga Slough in the evenings and Craniacs gather...
08/19/2026

You know "fall" is here when the sandhill cranes start their Fly-In to Beluga Slough in the evenings and Craniacs gather to watch! Join the Kachemak Crane Watch the next three Saturday evenings from 6 pm to sunset to count cranes. Dress for the weather, bring binoculars, chairs optional, and eyes ready to spot cranes! Meet at the picnic table on the Beluga Slough Trail below the visitor center. Most birds show up after 7:30 pm.

During the day, there will be three official sandhill crane counts - Saturday, Aug 22; Saturday, August 29 and Saturday, September 5. Report cranes seen between 6 am and 11 pm to the contact info below. Info needed: date, time, location, number of cranes, adult/colts, any banded cranes, and details of what they were doing.

Report crane sightings to: [email protected] or 907-235-6262
For more info reach out to Nina at the contact above.

📷 Heidi Metzger/USFWS
Text for the poster included above.

Close encounters of the furred kind! On St. Paul Island, biotech Ellie was trying to collect some seabird data and got t...
08/18/2026

Close encounters of the furred kind! On St. Paul Island, biotech Ellie was trying to collect some seabird data and got thwarted by a stubborn seal. 🦭 "As I scurried my way up the slippery rocks, I was met with the guttural yell of an angry male fur seal protecting a female, no chance of budging them. The pair was RIGHT at the essential pinch point that I needed to cross. 10ft to the right and I might have skirted around, but no dice. I scrambled back down and attempted to go the low route, but already knee deep in water, I decided to call it." Just another day as an Alaska Maritime NWR biotech.

Photos from 2025 showing the rocky shores on St. Paul Island and the species of seal she encountered.
📷Evan Buck / USFWS

Check out this incredible arch on Poltava Island! Just 37 miles from Sutwik Island, this wild corner of the Alaska Penin...
08/14/2026

Check out this incredible arch on Poltava Island! Just 37 miles from Sutwik Island, this wild corner of the Alaska Peninsula brings together biologists from four refuges to protect its wonders. The island’s rugged geology means that, over time, crashing waves can sculpt dramatic caves and arches—like this one—right into the coastline.
📷Alison Williams/USFWS

Every once in a while, walruses can be spotted basking on the rocky shores of Saint George Island. These impressive mari...
08/13/2026

Every once in a while, walruses can be spotted basking on the rocky shores of Saint George Island. These impressive marine mammals are always a special sight on the refuge! Walruses have a unique adaptation: an air sac beneath their throat that holds up to 50 liters of air. This sac acts as a floating pillow, allowing them to rest with their heads above water, even when ice or land isn’t available. This adaptation helps them forage in areas with limited safe resting spots.
📷Nick Hoffman/USFWS

Now you see me, now you still see me. This master of disguise is still working on their craft. Pictured below, a glaucus...
08/11/2026

Now you see me, now you still see me. This master of disguise is still working on their craft.
Pictured below, a glaucus-winged gull chick sits with its head wedged between two rocks in a attempt to hide from a biologist.

📷Shiho Koike / USFWS

Rising from the northern Kodiak Archipelago, East Amatuli Island is a breathtaking reminder of Alaska’s wild beauty. Its...
08/06/2026

Rising from the northern Kodiak Archipelago, East Amatuli Island is a breathtaking reminder of Alaska’s wild beauty. Its rugged shores and thriving seabird colonies make it a sanctuary for wildlife and a treasure for those who study and protect it.
📷Dan Puterbaugh/USFWS

(edited) Biotech of the Week Triple Feature! Meet the St. George crew: Patrick (not pictured), Evan (left), and Nick (ri...
08/04/2026

(edited) Biotech of the Week Triple Feature! Meet the St. George crew: Patrick (not pictured), Evan (left), and Nick (right). This is the first season for Patrick and for Nick with Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge but Evan was on St. Paul in 2025. This year, you can find the team reading, birding and cooking up all kinds of meals. From baked spaghetti to potato soup to dal to blueberry pie, these three never seem to make the same meal twice. What will they cook next... we will just have to wait and see!

📷USFWS

Address

95 Sterling Highway, #1
Homer, AK
99603

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+19072356546

Website

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