Cheap Flights to Sand Point Airport

Discover Sand Point

Sand Point Airport is a state-owned, public-use airport that serves and is situated two nautical miles (four kilometres) southwest of the central business district of Sand Point, Alaska. It is elevated at 21 feet (six metres) above mean sea level. It has one asphalt runway directed 13/31, measuring 5,213 feet (1,589 metres) long. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, in 2003, the airport had 2,012 aircraft operations (an average of 167 per month: 59.6% general aviation, 32.6% air taxi, and 7.8% scheduled commercial), while in 2008, it had 4,296 passenger boardings (enplanements), and in 2010, it had 4,281. The airport is categorised as a non-primary commercial service airport by the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2011–2015.

What to see & do

The city of Sand Point, also known as Qagun Tayagungin, is located in Aleutians East Borough, Alaska, United States. It is the borough seat of Aleutians East Borough, and is situated near the entrance to the Bering Sea. It has a total area of 28.9 square miles (75.0 square kilometres), 21.1 square miles (54.8 square kilometres) of which is water. As per the 2010 census, it had a population of 976. The boundaries of the borough and district are the same, stretching over approximately 15,000 square miles (39,000 square kilometres) of road-less, mostly treeless tundra. It experiences a sub polar oceanic climate (Köppen Cfc), like all of Southwest Alaska, although it is a little less rainy and has fewer wet days compared to most parts of the region.

Sand Point has a great network of hiking trails, and there’s a good chance that you’ll see wildlife abound. It’s not uncommon to see a herd of bison, along with birds and marine mammals around the island. One can enjoy sea kayaking along the island’s shoreline, where marine life and sea birds can be seen from a fantastic view. The island is also an excellent fishing area, especially for halibut, pollock, cod, and salmon. Pastimes include pole fishing, as well as hunting for ptarmigan and buffalo, boating, and riding ATVs.

Every July, the town hosts a Culture Camp, where foreign visitors can learn about Aleut traditions such as their dance, sewing Aleut dresses, playing drums, building kayaks, knot tying, and weaving. An annual Salmon Derby is also held within Sand Point, where participants catch the largest fish to win a cash prize.

How to get around within Sand Point

Since Sand Point is off the road system, means of travelling are limited to very few. There are rental cars available from the Harbor Cafe and the Marine View Bed & Breakfast, but that’s pretty much about it. Charter boats are available for hire if one opts to go fishing.

A hovercraft operates a ferry service between Cold Bay and King Cove. Alaska Marine Highway operates the Tustumena during summer months and into the fall, making stops in Sand Point four times per month. From the city, there’s also a ferry bound to King Cove, Cold Bay, False Pass, and Dutch Harbor and accepts cars and trucks for cargo.

How to get there

Sand Point Airport is served by only one airline, PenAir, which offers scheduled passenger service to and from Anchorage daily. It also flies to and from Dutch Harbor and Cold Bay several days a week; and from Cold Bay to King Cove and several smaller fishing villages, and vice versa. The island is accessible despite its remote location and size, due to the cargo loads of fish that get shipped out of town every day.