Coronation Island (Alaska) facts for kids

Coronation Island is a cool island located in Alaska. It's off the northwest coast of Prince of Wales Island. You can find it south of Kuiu Island and north of Noyes Island. The closest town with full services is Craig, Alaska. A big part of the island is also a protected area called the Coronation Island Wilderness. This wilderness covers about 19,232 acres (77.8 km2) and includes the nearby Spanish Islands.

The island got its name from George Vancouver. He saw the island on September 22, 1793. That day was the 33rd anniversary of King George III becoming king!

How to Visit Coronation Island

Coronation Island is a bit remote. You can get there by boat or by a special small plane called a floatplane. If you plan to visit, always check the weather. Strong winds and big waves can make travel difficult.

Island Geography

Coronation Island has the huge Pacific Ocean to its south and southwest. To its southeast is Iphigenia Bay. Sumner Strait is to the east and northeast, and Chatham Strait is to the west and northwest. Kuiu Island is to the north, and Warren Island is to the east.

The island has seven tall peaks. Some are named like Needle Peak, Aats Peak, and Pin Peak. There are also five bays: Egg Harbor, Alikula Bay, Aats Bay, Gish Bay, and Windy Bay. The island is mostly surrounded by rocky shores. You can find a few sandy spots and even some coral reefs. The island itself is mostly made of limestone. A cool place called Colander Cave was discovered there in 2001.

Amazing Wildlife

Coronation Island is home to many animals. On land, you might see Sitka black-tailed deer and majestic bald eagles. The ocean around the island is usually between 51°F (11°C) and 55°F (13°C). This water supports the coral reefs and lots of marine life.

You can spot sea otters, Steller's sea lions, harbor seals, and huge humpback whales. The waters are also full of fish and shellfish. Some popular fish include king salmon, red salmon, silver salmon, pink salmon, chum salmon, halibut, lingcod, and Pacific cod. You might also find different types of rockfish, greenling, ratfish, and dog sharks. For shellfish, there are dungeness crab, tanner crab, king crab, shrimp, prawns, scallops, abalone, clams, and jellyfish. Sometimes, even Great white sharks have been reported near the island, traveling up on warm ocean currents.

Island Plants

The island is covered in lush and varied plant life. The main trees you'll find are tall Sitka spruce and western hemlock. The rest of the island's plants are very green and diverse, making it a beautiful place.

Island History and Culture

The Tlingit people have a long history with Coronation Island. They traditionally used the island for various activities. They would often set up camps at Egg Harbor. From there, they would wait for good weather to travel to the nearby Hazy Islands. At the Hazy Islands, they would gather bird eggs.

Later, a lead mine operated on the west shore of Egg Harbor. This mine was active from the early 1900s until the late 1960s.

Protecting the Wilderness

Coronation Island is part of a special wilderness area. These areas are protected by the United States Government. The goal is to keep them wild and natural for everyone to enjoy in the future. Because of this, certain activities are not allowed.

In wilderness areas, you generally cannot use motor vehicles, motorboats, or other motorized equipment. Things like bicycles, hang gliders, wagons, and even landing aircraft like helicopters are usually prohibited. This is to protect the quiet and natural feel of the wilderness. The Wilderness Act of 1964 helps make sure these places offer chances for solitude and primitive recreation. It means they are kept wild, unlike places where people and their buildings are everywhere. If you want to know more, you can contact the United States Forest Service office.

Images for kids

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  This map shows the path of the Star of Bengal ship and where it crashed.