Alice Island (Alaska)
Alice Island (also known as, Kayak Island; Eyak: Qe'yiłteh) is a small, uninhabited island located in the Gulf of Alaska, within the U.S. state of Alaska. The island has an area of approximately 73.7 square kilometers. Its name is believed to derive from its long, narrow shape, which resembles a traditional kayak, a type of boat used by Indigenous Arctic peoples.
History
In 1741, members of a Russian expedition landed on the island, making it one of the earliest documented European landfalls and scientific observation sites on the Alaskan coast. The expedition’s naturalist and physician, Georg Wilhelm Steller, became the first European scientist to land on the island, where he conducted botanical and ethnographic observations.
Due to this historical significance, the landing site—known as the Bering Expedition Landing Site—was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1978 by the United States.
The island was previously known as San Elías, a name given by Russian explorers. In 1826, the Russian Admiralty officially assigned the name Kayak Island.
The British explorer Captain James Cook visited Kayak Island during his third voyage in 1778.
Geography
Kayak Island is located approximately southeast of Cordova, Alaska. The island is about long and wide. It lies near the boundary of the Chugach National Forest and has no permanent human population.
Landmarks and notable sites
The most notable historical landmark on the island is the Bering Expedition Landing Site. This site marks one of the earliest European scientific expeditions in Alaska and contains important written records documenting early interactions between Europeans and Indigenous peoples. It is officially recognized as a site of national historical significance by the United States.
Located at the southwestern tip of Kayak Island, Cape Saint Elias is a prominent geographical feature. The cape is believed to have contributed to the naming of Mount Saint Elias, one of the highest coastal mountains in North America.
Climate and natural environment
Kayak Island has a subarctic maritime climate, characterized by cold temperatures and high levels of precipitation. The surrounding waters and land support a variety of marine mammals, seabirds, and small terrestrial mammals. Despite its rich natural environment, the island remains uninhabited.