One of the most frequently asked questions we get is what to pack for a trip to Southeast Alaska. Pybus Point Lodge is located at the southern edge of Admiralty Island National Monument. Whether you are coming to experience an all-inclusive Alaska trip or just coming for fishing charter, this packing list will help your vacation be as enjoyable as possible.
There’s really only one rule for what to wear in Alaska – layers.
Layers are key to staying comfortable without overheating or freezing. Consider it your own personal thermostat:
You can start a brisk early morning boat ride in the morning with several layers on, and take them off as you reel in 100lb halibut in the warm Alaska sun. Or Throw on a rain-slick over your jacket to stay warm when approaching monster icebergs and glaciers over at the Tracy Arm Fjord. You can bundle up or strip off layers as the weather changes every five minutes.
We recommend having 3 sets of layers for your trip:
As the next-to-skin layer, a base layer’s job is moving perspiration away from your skin, aka “wicking.” In cool or cold conditions, wicking long-style base layers are needed to keep your skin dry. That’s essential because it helps to keep you from becoming chilled. The inner layer is what we think of as long underwear other thin material that absorbs moisture from your skin. Long underwear might not be appealing when temperatures soar, but having dry skin generally makes you more comfortable in all conditions.
The insulating layer helps you retain the heat that’s radiated by your body. The more efficiently this layer traps that heat, the warmer you’ll be. This could be a fleece jacket, vest or even a sweater. Synthetic materials usually have the edge over wool or cotton because of their lightness and warmth. This layer should be a bit looser than the inner layer, maybe a size or half-size larger, so that it fits comfortably and isn’t too tight.
The outer layer is the most important layer as it will keep water and wind from penetrating your inner layers. You want a shell that's waterproof and breathable to stay warm when it's windy and dry when it's rainy. Most outer layers are made from Gore-Tex® material (including a hood) will keep a wet day from turning into a miserable one.
We like to keep it simple when it comes to footwear. Our recommendations are to pack a pair of comfortable shoes to wear around inside the your cabin and then to have a pair of flip flops to wear out to the hot tubs or out to the dock if you are brave enough to be part of our weekly polar plunge! The majority of our guests love to wear our high quality Grundens rain boots out each day for walking, boating, or hiking around the beautiful Alaskan rain forrest. The boots are waterproof come up to your knees to keep your pants mud-free and dry to you can make the most of your trip! Just make sure to pack several pairs of your favorite comfortable socks (avoid ankle socks) and you feet will be dry and cozy during your stay!
Pybus Point Pro Tip: Never bring new shoes to Alaska. Make sure your shoes or hiking boots have been broken in to avoid blisters.
Alaska is blessed with long summer days and sunshine can last as long as 17 hours during some months so we recommend taking steps to protect your skin. Your sun exposure will vary but sunlight can be amplified when you spend time on a boat or near snow or ice, so we recommend packing and carrying with you a lightweight, brimmed hat for sun and rain, sunglasses, and sunscreen. We also recommend having a bandana or mask for face and neck protection for times the wind or temps can be chilly.
Even on a warm summer day, it can get pretty chilly when your boat cruises by a mammoth glaciers and mesmerizing icebergs. While you won’t need thick winter skiing gloves, a pair of breathable gloves will be worthwhile to help your hands stay warm and dry. We recommend having a pair of synthetic gloves that can be used from fishing, to kayaking, to taking photos of the Alaska Wildlife. You can find a list of our favorite gear here.
Don’t forget to pack your swimsuit! Imagine relaxing in our hot tubs after a long day of fishing while watching the extraordinary long Alaska Sunsets and hearing the chatter of several Bald Eagles that nest in nearby trees. If you are up for adventure, sign up for our excursion over to Baranoff Warm Springs and soak in the natural mineral springs next to a serine freshwater mountain feed river. If you want to make a really memorable experience, join our weekly polar plunge were we take a group dip in the brisk calm waters of Pybus Bay.
We recommend purchasing and printing your Alaska fishing license before arriving at the lodge. Make sure to keep it on your person each day as we follow all local fishing laws and regulations. Click here to see our video walkthrough on purchase a fishing license
While you are out exploring Alaska during the day, we recommend bringing a backpack or tote bag to store you gear or extra layers of clothes. We also provide meals and snacks for you to take out each day. Here is an example list of what we like to keep in our day bag:
We love the local wildlife and pristine wilderness and do everything we can to protect the environment and leave a minimal footprint. While we love the convince of water bottles, having to transport them and dispose of plastic is a real challenge in keeping the local environment free of pollution or harmful plastics. We recommend brining a reusable water bottle, or buying one at the general store that you can fill up each day at the lodge and help us protect the local wildlife and environment.
If you don’t pack anything else for your Alaska Adventure , you need to be sure to include a camera. You will want to capture all the amazing views, awe-inspiring wildlife encounters, and other unforgettable experiences – and Pybus Point Lodge is the best location! We frequently have professional photographers, large photo groups, and even film crews visit Pybus Point Lodge with the goal of capturing the inherent beauty located here. The best camera for Alaska is…..the one you have on hand! Some of our favorite images have come from iPhones to high end Digital SLR cameras with Telephoto lenses. However you decide to take pictures, make sure to tag us on anything you share as we LOVE to see special moments from guests. Don’t forget to enter our yearly calendar contest to be entered to win a free trip!
Our last tip for your trip to Alaska is to pack light! One of the biggest mistakes we see at the lodge is when guests try to pack too much for their trip. While you might want to try to pack all the comforts of home, overpacking can lead to delays and cause a serious burden on your trip. Our staff has been able to provide all the accommodations of home and we offer on-site laudry facilities, rain gear, and footwear so you just need to bring the bare essentials! Seaplanes also have weight and storage limitations & we ask that you pack with your 1 carry-on bag per person that weighs less than 40lbs. An added bonus for packing light is having extra room to bring home your fresh catch to share, or not to share with your friends and family.
Our goal at Pybus Point Lodge is for you to have fun and make memories that will last a lifetime. Alaska is a blast regardless of the weather. Come prepared ready to have a fun time and make new friends. Put a smile on your face, layer up, and don’t be afraid to find adventure — it’s the Alaskan way!
Even high-quality breathable-waterproof fabrics might not always do the job of keeping you dry. Heavy rain can overcome the capacity of most Gore-tex and similar fabrics. That is why Pybus Point Lodge offers commercial-grade rain gear and boats from Grundens to all our guests free of charge. It’s the same gear used by Alaska commercial fishermen and is specifically made to keep you dry, warm, and happy, no matter the conditions.
Download, share, or print out our PDF Packaging list to make sure you bring all the gear you need for your Alaska vacation!
DOWNLOAD NOWSoutheast Alaska is truly one of the most stunning geographical regions in the entire United States. Just about everywhere you look you’ll find a view that could easily be featured in National Geographic. When you factor in a
LEARN MOREOne of the most exciting animals that you can observe during your vacation is the majestic bald eagle, and Admiralty Island happens to boast one of the highest bald eagle densities on planet earth. If you want to see one of t
LEARN MOREDiscover why people like you can’t stop talking about Pybus Point Lodge. More than 30 years ago, the lodge opened as a simple fishing camp, drawing a devoted following in spite of basic accommodations. With new owners and experienced captains and crew, our corner of Alaska has become an unbeatable fishing and eco-tourism resort.
Andrea Tate
Incredible Experience!
Pybus Point Lodge has some of the most stunning scenery I’ve ever seen. I mean absolutely breathtaking! In addition to the amazing fishing, I hiked to a beautiful secluded lake, soaked in some hot pots, saw several waterfalls, went whale watching, saw bears and all kinds of wildlife and marine life. As a photographer, photographing a wedding under a waterfall will remain a highlight of my life.
Shirley Johnson
Pybus Point Lodge - WOW!
We had the best time! This was our first visit to Pybus, but it definitely will not be our last. The stunning scenery, amazing fishing experience, and the joy of meeting new friends – all outstanding! We did not want to leave!!! If you are thinking about this trip – don’t think any more, just book it. You will not regret it!!!
Sharon Hedding
Trip of a Lifetime!
We had such an amazing time the staff was so wonderful and the lodge was fantastic! capt Joe was so helpful and always doing what ever he could do to make each day special. a special thank you to both Scott and Jody for taking the time to make us feel like family. can't wait to go back next year
Jason Nielsen
Wonderful and Magical Place
We had an amazing business retreat to Pybus Point Lodge. Everything was top notch... the fishing, the staff, the boat captains, the food, the accommodations, and especially the scenery. I really liked that Pybus took care of everything from start to finish. Chef John is an amazing cook. We had delicious hot meals the entire trip. The cabins were amazing and very comfortable. The fishing was awesome and that’s coming from a guy that doesn’t fish that much.
Brandon Foote
We brought home 100lbs of fish!
My wife and I spent a week at Pybus Point this Summer. We had a beautiful, private room overlooking the bay and our own new, ensuite, private bathroom. What an amazing place for couples to get away together. We set our own breakfast time, met our boat captain after, fished the day along, and returned to clean up and enjoy a nice dinner at the restaurant. Next time Alaska is on the trip list, Sherrie and I will go together, and it will be to Pybus Point!
Kent Danjanovich
Fun in Alaska
This was my first trip to Pybus Point. I stayed in one of their new cabins. The accommodations were incredible, the view onto the bay in the mornings was stunning. I loved the staff and the food was really very good. All of this and they have new boats to take you out onto fairly calm waters to fish. The fishing guides were great. Overall a great experience. Definitely going back.
