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Major city · United States

Little DiomedeDiomede

Skip unless you have a specific reason to visit the westernmost Alaskan village: 2–3 days minimum, helicopter from Nome, no roads, no alcohol, and everything costs a fortune.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Little Diomede is a remote Iñupiat island in the Bering Strait, 3.2 km from Russia's Big Diomede. With 135 residents, no roads, a heliport, and a ban on alcohol, it's one of the most isolated communities in the US. Most travellers should skip it unless they have a specific interest in Arctic Indigenous culture or extreme geography.

basic guide: no trip line yet
More
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
USD
Best months
Jun–Aug
avoid Oct–May (ice, storms, limited helicopter flights)
Airport
DIO
Nights
2

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide for Little Diomede: no airport-to-bed path, walking clusters or day plans yet. Fares and schedules here are unverified. What this page does cover
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
  • North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
  • North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
  • North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
  • United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
  • United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
  • United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
  • United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.

Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide

Checking your follows…
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Little Diomede911 ▾
  • Police, Fire, Ambulance911

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Little Diomede, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Closest US land to RussiaVisible International Date LineIñupiat Inuit communityExtreme remoteness
Airports
DIO Diomede Heliport (Helicopter service from Nome; $50 arrival fee charged to all visitors)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Avoid

    −12°C (10°F)

  2. Feb

    Avoid

    −11°C (12°F)

  3. Mar

    Avoid

    −9°C (16°F)

  4. Apr

    Avoid

    −3°C (27°F)

  5. May

    Avoid

    4°C (39°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    10°C (50°F)

  7. Jul

    Best

    14°C (57°F)

  8. Aug

    Best

    13°C (55°F)

  9. Sep

    not flagged

    8°C (46°F)

  10. Oct

    Avoid

    1°C (34°F)

  11. Nov

    Avoid

    −5°C (23°F)

  12. Dec

    Avoid

    −10°C (14°F)

Best: Jun–Aug. Avoid: Oct–May. Month by month →

Warmest Jul (14°C (57°F)), coolest Jan (−20°C (−4°F) low), wettest Sep (12 rain days), driest Mar (6). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Little Diomede: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

−12°C (10°F)

−20°C (−4°F)

8 rd

Feb

−11°C (12°F)

−19°C (−2°F)

7 rd

Mar

−9°C (16°F)

−17°C (1°F)

6 rd

Apr

−3°C (27°F)

−11°C (12°F)

6 rd

May

4°C (39°F)

−3°C (27°F)

7 rd

Jun

10°C (50°F)

3°C (37°F)

8 rd

Jul

14°C (57°F)

7°C (45°F)

10 rd

Aug

13°C (55°F)

6°C (43°F)

11 rd

Sep

8°C (46°F)

2°C (36°F)

12 rd

Oct

1°C (34°F)

−5°C (23°F)

11 rd

Nov

−5°C (23°F)

−12°C (10°F)

9 rd

Dec

−10°C (14°F)

−18°C (0°F)

9 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

No roads or vehicles. The village is walkable on foot; snowmobiles and ATVs are used locally.

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time
Nome, Alaskacaution

Door to door: About 2 h including check-in and weather wait

Helicopter from Diomede Heliport, about 1.5 h

Helicopter flights are weather-dependent and expensive; plan for delays.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Diomede School

Rooms available for $70/night; the only accommodation on the island

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
$100–150 excl. helicopter
Mid
$150–250 excl. helicopter
High
$250+ excl. helicopter

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Diomede School room1 × 2 nights × US$70US$140
Food, local transport, entries1 × 2 days × US$200US$400
Helicopter Nome–Diomede round trip1 × US$1,000 · check — price varies by season and availabilityUS$1,000
Arrival fee1 × US$50US$50
Buffer 20%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeUS$318
Trip total≈ US$954 per person per day, bed includedUS$1,908

Only accommodation on the island; book through the school

2026 estimate in USD; helicopter from Nome not included. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Diomede School room per nightcheck$70
Arrival feecharged to all visitors$50
Helicopter Nome–Diomede one waycheck$500–800
Grocery basics (milk, bread, eggs)check — much higher than mainland$15–30

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

The main risks are extreme cold, weather delays, and the isolation itself. No medical facilities beyond basic first aid; a medical evacuation is very expensive and slow.
  • Alcohol is banned on the island.
  • Everything is expensive — groceries and supplies are flown or shipped in.
  • Helicopter flights are weather-dependent; delays of days are possible.
  • The $50 arrival fee is charged to all visitors by air or sea.

Emergency numbers

Police, Fire, Ambulance
911

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

Little DiomedeDiomede

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

Skagulimun, quyanaqTo the school, please

Emergency

  • Police, Fire, Ambulance911

Embassy

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Helicopter Nome → Diomede: about $500–800 one way, weather permitting (check)

Say or show

  • Quyanaq — Hello (koo-yah-nak)
  • Quyanaqpak — Thank you (koo-yah-nak-pak)
  • Ii — Yes (ee)
  • Naumi — No (now-mee)
  • Qanuq akit? — How much? (kah-nook ah-kit)

Iñupiaq is the local language; English is widely spoken.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Little Diomede. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Jun–Aug · avoid Oct–May (ice, storms, limited helicopter flights) · month by month →
  2. 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 1 day-trips, door to door
  6. 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
  2. Walking clusters with bag rules
  3. Day plans checked against opening hours
  4. Field-verified times and fares

Meanwhile

Back to United States

Sources

Ask about Little Diomede

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