Coastal Flavors of Klawock: More Than Just a Meal
Coastal Flavors of Klawock: More Than Just a Meal
An afternoon of Alaska Native culture, riverside dining, and bald eagles on a Southeast Alaska shore excursion
One of the excursions we chose during our 10-day Alaska Expedition Cruise aboard the MS Roald Amundsen with HX Expeditions was Coastal Flavors of Klawock. Going into the afternoon, I expected a seafood tasting. What I didn't expect was to leave with a much deeper appreciation for the culture, history, and peaceful beauty of Southeast Alaska.
We were asked to meet at the pier at 1:30 p.m. Like many small expedition ports, there were a few logistical challenges getting everyone ashore, so we didn't board our shuttle until shortly before 1:50 p.m. From there, it was about a 10-minute drive to the venue.
As soon as we arrived, it was obvious this wasn't going to be an ordinary food tour.
The welcome to Klawock, our port for the afternoon on Prince of Wales Island.
We were welcomed by an Alaska Native guide dressed in traditional ceremonial regalia. Before we ever sat down to eat, she led our group along a forest trail, introducing us to the native plants that have sustained Indigenous communities for generations. She pointed out wild blueberries, Alaska celery, edible berries, and other native plants, explaining how each has traditionally been used for food, flavoring, or medicine. It was a wonderful introduction because it connected the food we were about to experience with the land that produced it.
Our guide, dressed in traditional regalia, led us along a forest trail before the meal began.
A Peaceful Setting on the Klawock River
The venue itself was one of the most peaceful settings we've visited on this entire expedition. Nestled among towering trees along the Klawock River, it felt completely removed from the outside world. We learned that this river is normally filled with spawning salmon this time of year, although they hadn't arrived quite yet during our visit.
Scattered throughout the woods were individual clear-sided tents, each furnished with a table and chairs. Some accommodated couples while others seated four guests. The tents weren't there to isolate everyone — they were simply a practical solution in case Alaska decided to remind us how quickly the weather can change. Instead, they created an intimate dining experience while allowing us to remain completely surrounded by the forest.
The Klawock River winding through the rainforest — the setting for the tented dining venue.
A Tapas-Style Tasting Menu
Then came the food. The meal was presented tapas-style, beginning with six freshly shucked raw oysters, each prepared with different local flavors and accompaniments. Whether you're already an oyster lover or trying them for the first time, it was a fun way to experience how different ingredients can completely change the flavor profile.
The tapas-style spread at Coastal Flavors of Klawock.
The tasting menu for the afternoon.
Six freshly shucked oysters, each prepared with a different local accompaniment.
Each oyster came with its own flavor pairing, mapped out for tasters.
The oyster course, the centerpiece of the tasting.
Following the oysters came a salmon pita, then a perfectly prepared bite of fresh halibut, and finally a light meringue dessert. The portions, aside from the oysters, were intentionally small. This wasn't designed to be a large seafood lunch. Instead, it was a tasting experience showcasing locally inspired flavors and ingredients.
The light meringue dessert that closed out the tasting.
But for us, the food wasn't what made this excursion unforgettable.
Eagles Over the River
As we sat quietly beside the Klawock River, bald eagles called back and forth through the forest canopy. Every few minutes another eagle would glide low above the river, sometimes only twenty feet above the water before disappearing behind the trees. Conversation naturally faded as everyone simply watched. Those moments were magical, and I was fortunate enough to capture some of my favorite eagle photographs from the entire trip.
A bald eagle skims the Klawock River, just feet above the water.
One of the highlights came when the curator visited our private tent. Since it was just April and me seated there, the conversation felt personal rather than scripted. She shared her family's story, spoke about growing up in the region, and explained the significance of the traditional regalia she was wearing. She described how her cedar-bark hat had been handcrafted, explained the meaning behind the headpiece she wore, and shared stories about the island and her community that brought everything we'd experienced throughout the afternoon together.
Those conversations transformed the excursion from a meal into a genuine cultural experience.
A personal conversation with our curator brought the afternoon's stories together.
- Build in flexibility around pier departure — shuttle timing to and from the venue can eat into your time at the riverside tents.
- Come with tasting-menu expectations, not seafood-feast expectations. Portions beyond the oysters are intentionally small.
- Dress in layers. The tents provide weather protection, but you're still fully outdoors in a Southeast Alaska forest.
- Bring a camera with reasonable zoom — the bald eagles pass low over the river regularly, and it's one of the best wildlife-viewing moments of the excursion.
- Whether you see spawning salmon in the river depends on timing; the run hadn't arrived yet during our visit.
- Save some energy for Klawock Totem Park at the end — it's a worthwhile close to the afternoon, not just a quick photo stop.
Klawock Totem Park
A little after 3:00 p.m., we were asked to return to the shuttle. As our group departed, another group was arriving to begin the same experience. Our final stop was Klawock Totem Park, where we spent about thirty minutes exploring one of Alaska's most impressive collections of totem poles.
Rather than simply walking through the park, we were joined by a knowledgeable interpreter who explained the figures, symbols, and stories carved into the poles. We learned how they represent family histories, clan identities, important events, and cultural traditions that have been preserved for generations. Some of the poles are original historic carvings, while others are carefully crafted replicas created to preserve those stories for future generations.
One moment stood out above the rest: a live bald eagle perched in a tree directly beside a totem pole topped with its own carved eagle figure — the real bird and its cedar likeness sharing the same frame.
A live bald eagle perched beside a totem pole topped with its own carved eagle — Klawock Totem Park closed out the afternoon with a guided look at family and clan histories carved in cedar.
It was the perfect conclusion to an afternoon that celebrated both the natural beauty and Indigenous heritage of Prince of Wales Island. Eventually, we boarded the shuttle one last time for the short drive back to the port.
Was It Worth Booking?
One last look at Klawock before boarding the shuttle back to the port.
Looking back on the excursion, I think it's important to set realistic expectations. This is advertised as a two-and-a-half-hour experience, but because of the delays leaving the pier, our actual time at the riverside venue felt fairly short. We found ourselves wishing we had just a little more time to simply sit quietly beside the river and absorb the surroundings.
Likewise, the food is intentionally presented as a tasting menu. If you're expecting a full seafood feast, you may leave wanting more. For us, though, neither of those things defined the day.
The memories we'll carry home aren't the oysters or the halibut. They're the sounds of bald eagles echoing through the trees. They're watching those eagles skim low over the Klawock River. They're hearing the stories of an Alaska Native family whose connection to this land stretches back countless generations. They're learning that every plant, every carving, and every tradition has meaning far beyond what most visitors ever see.
Would we book this excursion again? I'm honestly not sure. Knowing what we know now, if we returned to Klawock we'd probably spend more time exploring some of the quiet forest trails and hidden paths we noticed on the drive to the venue. That said, I'm incredibly glad we chose this excursion. It provided something that many shore excursions never do — a genuine connection to the people and culture of Alaska.
Sometimes the best travel experiences aren't measured by how much food is on your plate or how many attractions you visit. Sometimes they're measured by the quiet moments — sitting beside a river, listening to eagles call across the forest, and realizing that travel isn't just about seeing a destination. It's about understanding it. And that's exactly what Coastal Flavors of Klawock gave us.
Coastal Flavors of Klawock: Frequently Asked Questions
If This Was Useful, Buy Us a Coffee
Venture To See is a one-person operation. If our firsthand reviews help you plan a better trip, a coffee goes a long way.
☕ Buy Us a CoffeeFollow the Journey
Have a question about this excursion, or a trip of your own you'd like feedback on?
Send Feedback