Getting to Edna Bay is an adventure in itself.  The remoteness of the location is one of it’s greatest assets, and the journey is a rewarding effort.  There are several ways to accomplish this and each will have its own benefits.  Additional days in your trip can be spent visiting some of the locations along the way.  Travel plans should be flexible and weather conditions even in the Summer months can cause delays.

Nearly all travel here will leave the lower 48 from Seattle.  You will fly to Ketchikan and this is almost always nonstop.  Alaska Airlines has multiple flights each day from Seattle to Ketchikan which offers a  lot of flexibility on your arrival into Seattle or Ketchikan.  The flight to Ketchikan is a little over an hour long and there is a time zone change, so a 9am departure is nearly a 9am arrival.

From Ketchikan you could get a flight out to Edna Bay on Taquan airlines.  Taquna operates a fleet of float planes and they will fly you directly to Edna Bay.  Taquan doesn’t follow a strict departure schedule, due to changing weather conditions.  Because of this scheduling a flight to Edna Bay on the day of your arrival isn’t recommended.  Taquan has regular scheduled flights on Tuesday and Thursday.  Flying into Ketchikan over the weekend or on Monday makes for a nice side experience with time spent in Ketchikan.

Ketchikan is the 6th largest city in Alaska with a population around 8,000 people.  Ketchikan can have 5-6 cruise ships at a time, sometimes bringing in more than 15,000 visitors a day and around 1.5 Million visitors a year.  This is definitely a tourist town and they offer excursions and many shops.  There is lodging in Ketchikan but rooms can fill up fast.

Once you arrive in Ketchikan you will be at the International airport, which only has 2 terminals.  The airport is located on an island across from the city of Ketchikan.  There are no roads, but there is a ferry that takes people and vehicles from one island to the other.  The distance of around 1500 feet between the islands takes only a few minutes.  Rental cars are available at the airport, but they are limited.  Another option is to use the TURO app.  Locals usually leave the car at the Ketchikan side of the airport, so that you don’t need to pay to ferry the vehicle across to the airport.

Some area hotels offer a shuttle service from the Ketchikan side of the airport.  Ketchikan is also a great place to pickup supplies for your trip.  There is a Walmart and local grocery store Alaska & Proud that is located across from Taquan Airlines.  There is a general store in Edna Bay, but the selection is limited.  Visitors often bring food supplies with them due to the increased cost and limited availability in Edna Bay.  The store in Edna Bay is only open Tuesday-Saturday from 2-4pm.

The longer way to Edna Bay would be to take the IFA (Inter Island Ferry) from Ketchikan to Hollis.  Hollis is located on Prince of Wales island and is the gateway onto POW.  Rental cars can be arranged through local companies with Vehicles left at the ferry terminal for pickup.  Less than an hours drive from Hollis, and you will arrive in Klawock and just a few minutes more you can be in Craig.  There are groceries, fuel and supplies available between the two cities.  There is charter fishing, hardware, sporting goods, and a few other shops.  There are pizza places and a few places to eat, but everything has limited hours.  These towns are real Alaska, no tourist traps, limited amenities, and down to earth people.  Most people will stay in an AirBnB.  References can be provided if you are looking for a place to stay.

Getting from POW from Edna Bay will require some leg work on your end.  There are no commercial options available.  You will need to make local contacts and see if you can get someone to bring you out.  This is obviously the more adventurous route.  POW is the 6th largest island in the USA, and is larger than the state of Delaware.  There is an abundance of blacktail deer, black bear, and open wilderness.

Once you arrive in Edna Bay you will be brought to the float plane and boat dock.  There is no cell phone service on the island.  A phone is located at the top of the dock ramp and you can call Edna Bay Cabins from there.  Rental vehicles may be available or pickup can be arranged.

This journey is well worth it! Hope to see you soon.