Major city · United States
Adak
Skip unless you are a birdwatcher, hunter or angler with a permit and a chartered boat. One night is enough; the town has no restaurants and limited services.
Adak is a remote Aleutian town of about 300 people, reachable only by air. It draws birders for Asian vagrants, hunters for caribou (no bag limit on cows, new bull regulations in 2007) and anglers for halibut in the Kagalaska Straits. There are no restaurants, sporadic store hours and limited accommodation. Most visitors come with a specific purpose and a charter.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Oct–Apr (harsh weather, limited access)
- Airport
- ADK
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
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
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
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
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Adak911 ▾
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 Adak, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyAdak is safe from crime but the environment is harsh: extreme wind, cold water, no medical facilities beyond basic first aid.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police · 911 fire and ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckADK Adak Airport (Flights from Anchorage via Alaska Airlines; check schedules.).
- Getting aroundNo public transport.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Budget bedFormer naval base rental (per room), a night, per roomUS$100
- Mid-range bedFormer naval base rental (per room), a night, per roomUS$150
- High-end bedFormer naval base rental (per room), a night, per roomUS$250
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$150 · Mid US$250 · High US$400
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
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.
- Airports
- ADK Adak Airport (Flights from Anchorage via Alaska Airlines; check schedules.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Feb
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Mar
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Apr
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
May
Best
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Jun
Best
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Jul
Best
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Aug
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Sep
Best
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Oct
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Nov
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Dec
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Oct–Apr. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)), coolest Jan (−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C) low), wettest Dec (19 rain days), driest Jun (12). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Adak: 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
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
18 rd
Feb
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
16 rd
Mar
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
17 rd
Apr
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
15 rd
May
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
14 rd
Jun
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
12 rd
Jul
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
13 rd
Aug
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
14 rd
Sep
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
16 rd
Oct
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
18 rd
Nov
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
18 rd
Dec
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
19 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 public transport. Roads are limited; a car is essential. ATVs are not allowed on tundra or in the wildlife refuge.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Attu Island
cautionDoor to door: check
Charter boat or plane from Adak
Extremely remote; only for serious birders with a guide.
Kagalaska Straits
goDoor to door: check
Charter boat from Adak
Halibut fishing; book with Aleutian Adventure Tours or Homeward Bound Charters.
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.
Former naval base housing
Rented by various companies; short and long stays available. Cabins in the wildlife refuge are unsafe.
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
- Budget
- $150–250 excl. bed
- Mid
- $250–400 excl. bed
- High
- $400+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Former naval base rental (per room)1 × 1 night × US$150 | US$150 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × US$250 | US$250 |
| Land use permit (non-resident)1 × US$50 · check | US$50 |
| Charter boat for fishing/hunting (half day)1 × US$500 · check | US$500 |
| Buffer 15%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$143 |
| Trip total≈ US$1,093 per person per day, bed included | US$1,093 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights and charters excluded.
Prices of common things
| General store groceries (limited selection) | $50–100 per day |
| Charter boat (half day) | $500–800 |
| Land use permit (non-resident) | $50 (check) |
| Alaska state hunting license (non-resident) | $160 (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Non-residents need a land use permit for Aleut Corporation land.
- No restaurants as of Jan 2025; the general store has sporadic hours.
- Hiking trails are unmaintained; never hike alone and prepare for sudden weather changes.
- Hunters need an Alaska state hunting license, harvest ticket and non-resident big game tag. Anglers need a sport fishing license.
- Camping is legal on refuge land but not recommended due to extreme wind.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 911
- Fire and ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
AdakAdak
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police911
- Fire and ambulance911
Embassy
The nearest US embassy is in Anchorage (check). Most foreign nationals need a visa or ESTA to enter the US.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Adak Airport to town: No public transport; taxi or pre-arranged ride, about $20–30
Say or show
- Hello — Hello
- Thank you — Thank you
- How much? — How much?
- Where is the store? — Where is the store?
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 Adak. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Oct–Apr (harsh weather, limited access) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Adak
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