Klawock is Alaska's youngest cruise port, and one of its most low-key. Built on a small island linked to the village, on the west side of Prince of Wales Island, it only welcomed its first ships in 2023, at the initiative of Indigenous corporations determined to open their territory to tourism on their own terms: few port calls, small groups and benefits that stay in the community. Travellers who step ashore here discover a side of Southeast Alaska that the major itineraries still overlook.

An Island, a River, Salmon

Prince of Wales Island, one of the largest in the United States, unfolds dense forests, lakes and logging roads that delight wildlife watchers. The community, about 800 residents, has always lived from fishing: it was here, in 1878, that Alaska's very first salmon cannery opened. The Klawock River, which links a large lake to the sea, still sees tens of thousands of sockeye and coho salmon swim upstream every summer, under the watchful eye of bald eagles and, on occasion, black bears. A riverside trail lets you watch this spectacle in season.

The Totem Park

On a rise in the centre of town, the totem park displays 21 carved poles, one of the largest collections of its kind in Alaska. Several came from the old village of Tuxekan, moved and then recarved over the generations; others were raised recently during pole-raising ceremonies that bring the whole community together. Raven, Eagle, orcas and ancestral figures are stacked on the cedar, each telling the story of a Tlingit clan. Local guides explain how to read them, from bottom to top, and remind visitors that a pole is never mere decoration: it is an archive in wood.

The Carvers' Workshop

Near the park, the carving shed regularly opens its doors to visitors on port days. This is where tomorrow's poles take shape: red cedar logs being roughed out, adzes, templates and fragrant wood shavings. A master carver passes on his skills to local youth, and exchanges with visitors are relaxed and informal. For many passengers, this encounter remains the highlight of the day: totem art stops being a museum piece and becomes a living craft again.

Nature Steps from the Pier

The excursions offered during port calls focus on the surrounding nature: watching humpback whales and sea otters in the nearby passages, fishing trips, or scenic drives to other villages on the island such as Craig, a few kilometres away. Sea otters, especially numerous in this area, sometimes gather by the dozens in the kelp beds. Birdwatchers should keep their eyes open: the area is known for its bald eagles, present year-round around the fishing facilities.

Tips for the Day

• The pier is on a neighbouring island, a short distance from the houses; shuttles provide the connection during port calls.
• Services remain simple: a few shops, no large stores. This is a deliberate choice by the village.
• Buy crafts directly from local carvers and artists; every purchase supports the carving school.
• Rain gear is recommended in every season: the rainforest lives up to its reputation.

On the way back, your gaze lingers on the islets where fishers' buoys are drying, then the coast closes in behind its wooded point. Klawock has no ambition to become a major port; the community simply wants to tell its own story, one pole and one conversation at a time. Passengers who visited this year are among the first witnesses of this quiet gamble, which gives the port call the feel of a sneak preview.