One Of Alaska's Most Beautiful Islands Has Black Sand And Views You Can't Miss
Travelers longing for a rugged escape with options for immersing themselves in the unspoiled beauty of nature can easily find it when they voyage to Alaska. First time visitors and those who travel here year after year discover reasons to fall in love with the state known as "The Last Frontier." Diverse landscapes across Alaska range from towering mountains and lush rainforests to coastal plains, and sweeping valleys. However, if you're hoping to set your sights on black sand beaches paired with stunning views, you'll want to make sure to make time for a trip to Alaska's Adak Island the next time you visit.
Adak Island is located within the Aleutian Islands and according to Travel Alaska, has earned its place geographically as the westernmost city in the entire country. It happens to also be Alaska's southernmost city and in many ways, is the very definition of a remote destination. Situated between the Bering Sea and the Pacific Ocean, Adak Island hosts just over 150 year-round residents according to the last count at World Population Review.
For visitors, this means it's easy to avoid crowds and there's plenty of space to roam and explore the island's black sand beaches which were left behind in the wake of volcanic activity over time. It's a place where you can spend leisurely afternoons admiring views of amazing local wildlife and exploring history. If you feel like exploring some hiking routes that showcase cliffs, bays, creeks, and waterfalls, that's an option on Adak Island too.
Mesmerizing landscapes and wildlife on Adak Island
It's easy to get the feeling that wildlife outnumbers people in Alaska and U.S. islands like Adak are no exception. Here, you can keep your eyes open for incredible creatures thriving among green tundra, mountain peaks, and scenic bays. Pairing hiking with wildlife watching here is best suited to experienced backcountry travelers due to the lack of many designated pathways. A few of the rare, maintained trails to add to your itinerary include routes along Shagak Bay and Husky Pass.
If you make your way south, you'll find you can enjoy unique land access to the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge which was established in 1980. This protected location provides a vital habitat for upward of 40 million seabirds according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It's also home to around 3,000 caribou and salt waters that are teeming with salmon, rockfish, cod, and halibut.
Over at Clam Lagoon, Adak Island adventurers can get their fill of harbor seal sightings. The protective sandbars in this area provide a refuge for the seals from the orcas that are found further out in open waters. It's also a popular place for salmon to school and ducks and geese to gather in the wintertime. Bald eagles, black oystercatchers, short-eared owls, and Aleutian terns are often spotted at Clam Lagoon too.
Historical sights to add to your itinerary
The natural landscapes and wildlife across Adak Island are always inspiring, but those with a passion for the past will find the historic landmarks here equally intriguing. While the island is scarcely populated today, that wasn't always the case. The Unangan people originally inhabited the island before Russian settlers. Alaska was purchased from Russia by the U.S. in 1867 and by 1913, Adak Island was established as a wildlife preserve. When World War II began, the northern portion had its protective status revoked to be repurposed as a military base. Operations continued through the Cold War and facilities included schools, theaters, chapels, pools, and restaurants.
Today, the island's dynamic weather has left the abandoned military base a collection of crumbling structures. However, it's still intact enough to be thoroughly explored by history buffs visiting the island. Overgrown military roads can also be followed in what is a decidedly eerie, yet fascinating scene to experience.
When you're ready to make your way to Adak Island to enjoy the black sands, history, and views, you'll need to book a ticket onboard one of the two weekly flights Alaska Airlines makes to the island from Anchorage. If you prefer to fly outside of this schedule, there are options to book private charters out of Anchorage with companies like Alaska Air Transit. In just three hours, you'll be enjoying some of the most interesting beaches in the world and surrounding scenery you can't wait to admire.