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Fauna · United States

Round Island Walrus

Thousands of tusked male Pacific walruses haul out on a remote Alaskan island each summer in one of North America's most dramatic wildlife gatherings.

When
Jun — Sep, peak Jun — Aug
Best viewing
A permit-required, weather-dependent expedition to a remote wilderness island where you watch hundreds to thousands of walruses at close range on rugged rocky beaches.
Category
Fauna
Status
Returns Jun 2026

About this spectacle

Round Island, a remote volcanic island in Bristol Bay, Alaska, is one of the most remarkable walrus haul-out sites in the world. Each summer, thousands of male Pacific walruses crowd its rocky beaches, filling the air with bellowing calls and the sharp smell of the sea. Visitors watch massive tusked bulls jostling for position on the boulders, their amber-pink hides glistening in the low subarctic light. The surrounding waters teem with seabirds, and the volcanic cliffs loom dramatically overhead. Access is strictly controlled by Alaska Department of Fish and Game, requiring a permit and typically a small chartered plane or boat from Dillingham. The island offers no facilities, and weather can shift rapidly, but those who make the journey witness an ancient spectacle of wild abundance that few humans ever see.

When to go

Jun — Sep, peak Jun — Aug

Getting there

Nearest airport: DLG. Nearest city: Dillingham.

Booking options

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