The Pribilof Islands of St. Paul and St. George sit out in the middle of the Bering Sea, due north of Unalaska, teeming with marine mammals and seabirds. Some 600,000 fur seals meet at the breeding rookeries in the summer, and two million birds of more than 200 species use the rocks. Bird-watchers visit St. Paul for one of the most exotic and productive birding and wildlife-viewing opportunities anywhere. It's best during the spring migration, from mid-May to mid-June, when great numbers of birds show up, including rare Asian accidental species; the fall migration comes in late July and August. You can count on making rare sightings any time during the summer. Indeed, the National Audubon Society's Field Guide to North American Birds calls this "perhaps the most spectacular seabird colony in the world."
The islands are extremely remote, however, and the accommodations simple; if you're not interested in birding or in spending a lot of time watching wildlife, it's probably too much money and trouble. The King Eider Hotel, at the airport, has basic rooms and shared bathrooms. Guests eat at the airport kitchen facilities, where each meal is served buffet style: breakfast is $10, lunch $14, dinner $18. There are no other dining choices. The island also has a grocery store, the AC Value Store, with an ATM.
Visitors generally come on tours, which are sold as a package with airfare and guiding by expert birders. With the guides' help and radio communication, your chances of seeing exotic species are much enhanced. The tours are offered by Tanadguix Corp., 4300 B St., Suite 402, Anchorage, AK 99503 (tel. 877/424-5637; www.alaskabirding.com; e-mail pribilof@tdx.alaska.com). Check the website for a wealth of birding news and species details. Packages from Anchorage start at $1,406 for a 2-night visit and operate from mid-May through August. Travelers can choose to ride on a bus as a group or hike on their own. Permanent blinds are in place for watching birds and seals. Count on cool, damp weather.
