Plane tickets from Philadelphia to Saint Paul

Saint Paul Island is one of the iconic islands of the Pribilof Islands in the Bering Sea. Located about 1000 km from mainland Alaska and 685 km from Russia, Saint Paul offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore and experience some of the most remote and undisturbed landscapes and marine eco-systems in the United States. Situated in an area known as the “crossroads of the Aleutian”, the island and its surrounding waters are home to a diverse array of wildlife, wildflowers and pristine natural ecosystems. In this article, you will learn about the island, the wildlife, and the opportunities for visitors to explore and experience Saint Paul Island.

Getting to Know Saint Paul Island

Saint Paul Island is a small volcanic island in the North Pacific Ocean, located in the Bering Sea, off the coast of Alaska. The island is part of the Pribilof Islands and is approximately 3.2 square miles in area. By the 2010 U.S. Census, Saint Paul Island had a population of 476 people. The majority of the population are of Alaskan Native descent and they speak mostly English. The island is in the Bering Sea Time Zone, which is eleven hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT-11). The official currency of Saint Paul Island is the US Dollar. The native language of Saint Paul Island is Aleut, however English is the dominant spoken language. All school-age inhabitants speak English, and there are also native Aleut speakers present. Other languages spoken on the island include Russian and Yupik.

Climate and Weather

The climate on St. Paul Island is generally classified as polar maritime, meaning it is cold but milder than Siberia and nearby mainland Alaska. Summers are cool, but temperatures can climb up to 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 Celsius). Winters are very cold, with temperatures typically below freezing, and snowfall is a common occurrence. Rain is frequent throughout the entire year, and a thick fog often sets in during summer. Summer is the best time to visit St. Paul Island, as the temperature is often pleasant enough for outdoor activities. Spring and fall are also mild on the island, but winter typically brings strong winds and frigid temperatures. It can often be extremely windy on the island, with wind gusts up to 40 mph (64 kmh). Temperatures drop to as low as -10F (-23C) in the winter, so visitors need to be prepared for cold and windy weather.

Touring Saint Paul Island: Airport and Transportation

There is only one airport serving Saint Paul Island, the St. Paul Island Airport (SNP). To get from the main airport to downtown Saint Paul Island, you can take a taxi which will cost approximately $10 USD. There are no currency exchange services located in the airport, however several local businesses accept international currencies.

Exploring the Rich History and Culture of Saint Paul Island

1. Saint Paul Island is known for its cultural heritage and ancient customs of the Unangan People, the indigenous inhabitants of the Aleutian Islands
2. It is believed that the Russian-American Company first colonized the island in the 1800s, bringing with them the Russian Orthodox religion, introducing it to Unangan culture
3. The island's historically significant sites include ruins of stone dwellings, artifacts, historical monuments and a handful of churches