The finest way for the entire family to enjoy Alaska

When the operators of Mission Lodge, on Bristol Bay, Alaska, began to hear clients state that they wanted a true Alaskan retreat that they could expose their whole family to, they did the logical thing. They built Whale Pass Lodge. While the fishing is superb, so are the other activities for the non-angler. Whale watching, Kayaking, hiking, beech combing, caving, and the list goes on. Daily activities for the children will leave the parents free to have their own private time just as they would alone. It is the best of both worlds. Aren't you glad that lodge owners listen to their clients!

The lodge at Whale Pass is located on the North end of Prince of Wales Island in Southeast Alaska. Easily reached from Seattle, WA in only 1 1/2 hours on one of many Alaska Airlines 737 non-stop flights to Ketchikan (KTN). A representative will greet you at the terminal, help collect your bags, and transport you just a few yards away to the floatplane dock adjacent to the airport. From here, the adventure begins as you are taken on a scenic forty minute bush plane flight right to the dock at the lodge.

Comprised of a handful of buildings set up to allow ample space for relaxing, contemplating or just plain partying simultaneously without interfering with one another.

The main lodge has guest suites for singles, doubles and families, all with private bathrooms. The rooms are decorated in a semi-rustic style, yet offer all the modern comforts you would except in a more urban setting.

Wake up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee and breakfast in the works each morning. The dining area and a great room are just steps away from each room. Both areas capture a grand view of the bay to watch the eagles soar by or glimpse the local harbor seals.

Fishing at Whale Pass Lodge

FRESH WATER FISHING: Prince of Wales Island is blessed with hundreds of rivers, lakes and streams to cast your line. Depending on the season you can be angling for Steelhead, Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, Dolly Varden or one of four species of Salmon in the streams. Rainbow and Cutthroat Trout are in the lakes year round. The guides are happy to take you into some of their favorite holes in little rivers, streams and lakes around the island, and help you enjoy some great light tackle action. UNGUIDED: Get dropped off at the 'state dock' with a map and some advice for a day of self discovery.

Salt Water Fishing

GUIDED FISHING: The Whale Pass captains are happy to take you out on either side of the Prince of Wales Island for Halibut, King Salmon, Silver Salmon and rock fish depending on the time of the season you are here. You will fish from state of art 29' walk around boats called the "S.U.B.'s" or Sports Utility Boats. They are complete with heated cabins, bathroom, and berth to take a nap. Whale Pass Lodge has outfitted them the latest in marine electronics including vhs radio, satellite phone, radar, and chart plotter and fish-finding sonar. Plus with custom Yakima racks, they can pack all the 'toys' you can handle for the day. UNGUIDED: Check out one of the skiffs and some tackle and venture out into the protected bay for some of the hottest Silver Salmon fishing in the state.

Sea Kayaking & Freshwater Canoeing

SEA KAYAKING: There are more miles of coastline, more bays and inlets and more islands within 50 miles of the lodge than you can cover in a full summer of sea-kayaking, must less a week or 5 days. You have the option of tooling around the placid 'home waters' of Whale Passage, right from the comforts of the dock, with or without a guide. Or strap the kayaks onto a 'S.U.B.' (Sports Utility Boat) and you are off to distant islands, fjords and glaciers for half day, all day and overnight wilderness trips. These fully guided excursions can be half day combined with other activities such as fishing, Mt. biking, beach-combing (major-league shore lunch with some walking to justify the calories) or wildlife viewing. The overnight excursions are full-immersion adventures that put you slightly beyond the comforts of the lodge, but still well appointed ...for roughing it.

CANOEING: The are dozens of small lakes on Prince of Wales Island to explore by canoe or kayak. Whale Pass Lodge has four nice lakes within a fifteen to twenty minute drive from the lodge. The island even boasts two 'canoe trails' for extended paddling trips.

Mt. Biking Southeast Alaska

Much of Southeast Alaska and the Tongass National Forest, is laced with logging roads and trails. With the heyday of logging long past, many of the roads are being blocked off by the Forest Service to motor vehicle traffic, making them perfect for both biking and hiking. Prince of Wales Island has hundreds of miles of such roads. Plus with the SUBs (Sports Utility Boats) you can load the bikes up and cruise off to distant islands for rides on single track and abandoned roads that few people will ever bike on.

Whale Watching

There are few experiences in life that rival the awe of experiencing an encounter with a whale. The inside passage has a number of species migrate through its waters throughout the year, including the Gray Humpback, Dall's Porpoise and Orca. The area also has some resident Humpbacks who stay around all year to take advantage of the rich feeding grounds.

Hiking

Whale Pass Lodge can offer you many different hiking options. There are numerous improved trails on the island, plus many more on some of the various out islands.

Un-guided Exploring of Prince of Wales

Take a stroll down the beach at low tide. Hike the creek next to lodge up to its headwaters at a wetland marsh. Cruise out in one the lodge skiffs to check a crab pot. Paddle a kayak around the point toward Thorne Island and search one of the many protected coves. Or take a vehicle and explore the island's web of deserted logging roads. The options are many, and you will be limited only by the time you have allotted.

Wildlife of the Inside Passage

You will be surrounded by a diverse population of wild animals, marine mammals and seabirds that are worth the trip alone. Whether just keeping your eyes out for a seal or eagle during a day of fishing or venturing out specifically to view a Tufted Puffin and a Dall's Porpoise in the same day, we can help you discover the wide array of flora and fauna this region has to offer.

Black tail (Sitka) Deer, Loons, Black Bears, Bald Eagles, Harbor Seals, Arctic Ravens, Gray Whales, Wolves, River Otters, Martin and Mink can be seen out around the island, and from the lodge! Orcas, Roosevelt Elk, Sea lions, Brown Bears, Humpback whales, Sea Otters, Dall's Porpoise, and more can be seen within an hour boat ride or floatplane flight.

Caving

El Capitan Cave is the largest known cave in Alaska, and is also the first cave in Southeast Alaska where fossil bones were discovered. The cave entrance faces south across the shallow El Capitan Passage, providing a nice view of Kosciusko Island. It is also located above the El Capitan Forest Service Camp, which gets its water from a spring that emerges below the cave (and ultimately from a river inside the cave). A wooden stairway has been constructed up the long hillside to the cave (see photo left), and tours are provided for visitors by Tongass National Forest.

Flight Seeing

Besides the scenic forty minute flight from the Ketchikan Airport (KTN) to the lodge dock, there are many exciting flight-seeing trips that can be arranged for half day and full day trips. See the Misty Fjords National Park, fly to Anan Creek and view black & brown bears, take a spin through La Conte Glacier and the surrounding mountains. You pick, the skies the limit as they say.

Kids Outdoor Wilderness Camp

Whale Pass Lodge is very kid friendly. They have various adventure activities that can be geared toward families. Another option is to let the kids join in a 'Outdoor Wilderness Program' that will have them exploring beaches, learning about wildlife, fishing near the lodge, hiking and indoor activities all in a well thought out and professionally supervised environment. This gives the adults a chance to go off during the day and take the break a vacation should be. Everyone wins in a program like this.

Adult 'Camp'

For those of you wanting an adult vacation, do not worry. Whale Pass Lodge has blocked off weeks that are 'Adults Only'.

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

Not needed for US citizens

VISA

Not needed for US citizens

MEDICAL PRECAUTIONS

None

CAPACITY

28

LANGUAGE

English

CURRENCY

US Dollar

AVERAGE TEMP

Varies Wildly

MAJOR US GATEWAY CITIES

Seattle

SEASON

Mid May to Mid September

WEATHER

Cool windy days with some light rain normally associated with north Pacific costal environs. Good rain gear and wet weather foot ware will suite you wel.

PRICES

Please call us for a customized package

WWA Deposit Requirements

Whale Pass requires a $1000 deposit to initiate a reservation. Final payments are due 90 days prior to departure. A reservation is not confirmed until deposits are received.

All Inclusive Price include:

- Float Plane flight from Ketchikan (KTN) - Deluxe lodging, with private bath - Full use of the lodge, rec room, sauna & amp; hot tub. - Gourmet meals - Rain gear - Any & all fully guided adventures - All fishing tackle, adventure equipment and access to our 'Do-it-yourself' equipment (skiffs, mt. bikes, 4x4 vehicle, kayaks, float-tubes and canoes

Trip Cancellation and Travel Insurance Recommendation

Travel, especially foreign travel, unfortunately has some unusual aspects that need to be addressed. Issues such as lost baggage, missed flights and medical concerns are often over looked until an untimely event happens. You or your traveling partner may need protection from trip cancellation due to events at home such as illness of you or your travel companion, illness while away from home, as well as a host of other travel nightmares. Worldwide Angling strongly recommends all parties obtain trip insurance right after booking a trip abroad. We obtain our own travel insurance with Travelex, a well established, highly recommended, travel insurance company and we recommend it to all of our clients. Travelex specializes in insuring the foreign traveler to far away and remote places. Once a trip is booked with Worldwide Angling, you will receive from us an application for Travelex travel insurance. The cost is quite reasonable, less than $60 per $1000 in most cases. Please review your insurance needs to see if Travelex is for you.