Formed in 1997 to improve transportation to island communities in southern Southeast Alaska, the Inter-Island Ferry Authority (IFA) is a Port Authority organized under Alaska’s Municipal Port Authority Act.
The IFA’s MV Stikine or MV Prince of Wales are both 198 feet in length and 95-gross tons. Their capacity is 190 and 160 passengers respectively, and 30 vehicles and is operated by a staff of 7. These vessels offer daily passenger and vehicle service between Ketchikan and Hollis/Clark Bay on Prince of Wales Island. Crossing time is about 3 hours. The IFA ferry departs Ketchikan from a dock adjacent the Alaska Marine Highway terminal. An IFA reservation desk is located inside the Alaska Marine Highway Ketchikan terminal building. IFA maintains its own terminal at Hollis/Clark Bay. The IFA vessels fill in for the Alaska Marine Highway during repairs or maintenance.
Check-in for your reservation with a vehicle is one hour prior to departure or your space may be released to stand-by vehicles. Walk-on passengers must check in one-half hour prior to departure or the seats may be released to stand-by passengers.
An important addition to the economy and Southeast population, the IFA carries an average of 52,000 passengers and 12,335 vehicles annually. It provides transportation to commuters for those in logging, seafood processing and even some of the Alaska Marine Highway staff living on Prince of Wales Island.
The IFA provides the essential reliable and speedy transport necessary for the shipment of 3 million pounds of seafood annually. This fast-expiring freight is worth $15 million. The seafood must reach the market quickly to avoid spoiling and complete loss. These fisheries include geoduck, halibut, winter kings, roe, black cod, shrimp, sea cucumbers and other salmon species that are harvested by fishermen on Prince of Wales.
A paved highway begins at the Clark Bay ferry terminal near Hollis on Prince of Wales Island and leads 23 miles to the coast at Klawock with connections to Craig, Hydaburg, Thorne Bay, Coffman Cove, Naukati and Whale Pass; this route takes motorists through the temperate rainforest environment typical of Southeast Alaska.
Once in port, shuttle service may be reached at (907) 401-1414.
For information and reservations on IFA vessels, phone 1-866-308-4848 or go online.
For information and reservations on IFA vessels, phone toll-free 1-866-308-4848.
IFA Terminal Phone #s
Clark Bay/Hollis Terminal: phone 907-530-4848
Ketchikan Terminal: phone 907-225-4848
Southern Route
Ketchikan to Hollis
MV Stikine or MV Prince of Wales
Daily year round service
(except for Thanksgiving Day & Christmas Day)
Depart Hollis 8:00 A.M. – Arrive Ketchikan 11:00 A.M.
Depart Ketchikan 3:30 P.M. – Arrive Hollis 6:30 P.M.