St. Paul: Nature, Wildlife and Culture

Saint Paul Island is a destination for nature and cultural tours, where visitors can explore the island’s history, flora, fauna and wildlife. If you’re looking for a hotel in St. Paul, it’s best to decide first whether you want to focus on nature viewing, cultural visitor tours or the High Bluffs Trail. Seasonal information varies by location and species.

Birdlife and Northern Fur Seals

At least 315 bird species have been recorded on Saint Paul Island. These include many rare birds from Asia that were blown off course during migration. In late spring, the number of birds rises to about 200,000; however, this seasonal abundance varies from year to year. When planning your trip, treat this figure as a seasonal guide rather than a fixed number for every year.

Saint Paul is home to the world’s largest colony of Northern Fur Seals. Visitors can view the animals from observation shelters. Populations and viewing conditions vary seasonally, and viewing rules and access conditions may change. Check the current conditions before your visit. Across the Pribilof Islands as a whole, the best time to view migrating birds and marine mammals is from mid-May through August; fur seal numbers peak there in July. This is a regional timeframe for the island group, while the figure of about 200,000 birds specifically refers to late spring on Saint Paul. The distinction is useful for planning: the broader viewing window spans several months and animal groups, while the local bird count describes a narrower seasonal period.

Cultural Visitor Tours

Visitor tours on Saint Paul Island include tours of the community of Saint Paul. The Saints Peter and Paul Russian Orthodox Church and the Unangan Heritage Museum are also included in visitor tours. The Saints Peter and Paul Church on Saint Paul was built in 1907 and is associated with the National Register of Historic Places. The construction date places the church in its historical context; the register listing adds to that historical significance. Cultural tour topics offer a different focus from seasonal bird and fur seal viewing.

High Bluffs Trail and Birdwatching

The St. Paul Island High Bluffs Trail is a 6-mile backcountry trail in the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge. It was designated a National Recreation Trail. This designation is historical; current route conditions may differ. Check trail conditions and access before your trip. The trail is a different activity from tours of the community and cultural sites.

For the Pribilof Islands as a whole: you can also watch birds by walking along roads and using hiking trails to reach popular viewing spots. Trail conditions and access may vary.

Discover more destinations: Unalaska.

Go to the main travel overview: Aleutians West Census Area.