Your Questions & Our Answers
We are located in the center of the Tongass National Forest, the largest temperate rainforest in North America. Spring, summer, and fall, May through September you can expect temperatures from the 50s to high 70s. Average summer temperatures are in the upper 50s to lower 60s. Wrangell gets less rain than other parts of southeast Alaska but we still average about 80 inches annually, so be prepared.
Layering is the key to comfort in southeast Alaska. Most days, hoodies, fleece jackets, and a set of light rain gear are the perfect combination. Sturdy shoes, like hiking boots, are a wise choice. We are on the water, so sunglasses and a hat are great. You might not regret bringing along a beanie and gloves as well as a pair of shorts and t-shirts. A light day pack or boat bag is good to keep these extra layers and your personal belongings close throughout the day. Don’t forget your camera.
We are on an island in the Inside Passage in Southeastern Alaska located between Ketchikan and Juneau. You get here by boat or plane. Alaska Airlines jets fly in here twice a day. Look for flights 64 and 65, which are great connections out of Seattle. Alaska Marine Highway Ferries schedule varies, visit their website for up-to-date information. You can bring a vehicle on the ferry or rent one on the island, but it’s likely you won’t even need one while you’re here.
Wrangell has several great bed and breakfasts (B&Bs) in addition to a hotel, hostel, and fun camping. We also have two RV parks. Don’t hesitate to call us for recommendations and more information on any of these lodging options. Alaska Charters also has a garden apartment for rent at a discounted rate to our clients. Ask about our Fo’c’sle Garden Apartment.
If you’ve booked one of our packages, we will already have some of your meals planned for you. You’ll be happy to know we have several restaurants in addition to great delis in both of our grocery stores. If you are buying your own groceries, there is a good selection in both stores here, but you will want to know that they open at 8 am and close at 7 pm Monday through Saturday and are only open for limited hours on Sundays. Bring a lunch on all of our day tours. We are usually back in town in time for you to get dinner at one of our local restaurants. The boats generally have sodas, coffee, or tea on board. While we have bottled water available, we are making an effort to reduce our use of disposable plastic bottles and encourage you to bring a reusable water bottle to fill with excellent filtered water that you can refill on board our boats. While we don’t regularly provide alcoholic beverages, you are welcome to bring alcoholic beverages with you, you are on vacation!
John and I are parents to five children and we love to help other families make memories with their children that will last a lifetime. We are always excited and willing to help you plan a trip that includes tours that everyone in the family will enjoy. We can take children on any of our tours with advance notice so we can properly pair you with suitable guests and plan the day’s itinerary to include fun for the kids. Families often book our vessels privately so we can operate on your timeline and cater to your specific preferences. When you take your family on one of our adventures, it’s the perfect way to foster some high-quality time together and set your children up with a new appreciation for our amazing wildlife and wilderness.
The “Timber Wolf” is a 35’ Svendson Marine aluminum cabin cruiser and is fast with 700 horsepower. A big back deck is great for fishing. A comfortable cabin with all-around visibility, seating for six passengers, full-size marine toilet, and an onboard oil stove for heating. This boat is also equipped with an excellent array of marine electronics and high-quality fishing gear.
The “Katrina Marie” is a 29-foot North River aluminum cruiser, comfortable and quick. It has an enclosed heated cabin for 4 passengers, onboard marine head, large back deck for fighting fish, and nicely rigged with state-of-the-art marine electronics and quality fishing gear.
The “Tongass” is a 25’ Precision Weld aluminum diesel-powered jet boat. It is fast and great for shallow waters and going ashore. Tongass has comfortable seating for up to 6 passengers with great visibility all around. The cabin is covered and heated and there is ample room on the back deck for sightseeing and gear. We utilize Tongass in some of our freshwater applications.
The “Sea Ark” is a 16-foot welded aluminum jet skiff. Fast and fun! Seating for five in this open skiff that’s designed for very shallow water and getting into the nooks and crannies that the big boats don’t even consider! Hang onto your hat! Great for freshwater fishing and hard to beat for a nice day on our rivers.
All fishing, shrimping, crabbing, and clamming activities require an Alaskan fishing license. You can purchase licenses in Wrangell from Alaska Charters Fishing or local sporting goods stores, or you can purchase directly from the state of Alaska.