Passage Island | Fay Ranches

PASSAGE ISLAND

Seldovia, Alaska

$5,950,000 | 44.55± Acres

Seller Financing Available to Qualified Buyers

Passage Island | Seldovia, Alaska

INTRODUCTION

Passage Island was named in 1786 by Captain Portlock. The island was at the entrance of what was mistakenly thought to be a strait leading out to sea.

In the early 1900s, John Herbert established a fox farm on Passage Island for the fur trade. The foxes were fed local fish and marine mammals and ran loose around the island until they were ready to give birth. About a decade later, John retired, and the island became a mink ranch. An average pelt sold for eight dollars; when it closed, the owner sold off practically everything. Since then, the island has been virtually untouched.

Located 22 nautical miles southwest of the Homer Spit, Passage Island measures just over 44± acres with nearly 7,000 feet of water frontage. Reachable by float plane, boat, or helicopter at low tide, this private island offers a one-of-a-kind Alaska landowner experience.

Located in the protected inlet of Port Graham, Passage Island is surrounded by miles and miles of beaches and pristine blue water. Spruce trees populate 95% of the island and are estimated to be 350+ years old. The estimated timber volume is approximately 15-25 thousand board feet (MBF) per acre. At low tide, the water depth on the east and west side of the island is between 70 feet and 100 feet, just 150-200 feet off the beach. The pebble beach is easily accessible on the island’s west side.

Passage island offers scenic hiking, pebble beaches, 360 panoramic views, world-class fishing, beachcombing, rock climbing, and caves to explore. This private island is suitable for a deep-water dock or moorage. If you are an angler, fish off the island for salmon, halibut, rockfish, and lingcod, or head out to sea and experience the thrill of deep-water offshore fishing.

Build an off-grid home, lodge, or family retreat and wake up to the picturesque mountain views while whales, otters, and eagles visit you at your doorstep.

QUICK FACTS

• 44.55± Acres

• 7,000± feet water frontage

• Spruce trees, 15-25 MBF per acre, 350+ years old

• Short distance to Seldovia and Homer

• World-class fishing

• Free energy from coal washing ashore

• Harvest local clams, chitons, and fish

• 360-degree panoramic views

• Whale watching; orcas, beluga, humpback, & minkie

• At low tide, deep water on the west and east side of the island runs 70-100 feet deep

• Abundant wildlife surrounds the island

LOCATION

Passage Island is located at the entrance of Port Graham on the southwest side of the Kenai Peninsula. The island is 8 miles southwest of Seldovia, Chugach Mountains, and 22 nautical miles southwest of the Homer Spit.

Passage Island | Seldovia, Alaska

GETTING THERE

From Anchorage, drive approximately 117 miles southwest as the crow flies to Homer. Charter a boat or bring your own and cruise 22 nautical miles southwest to the island. A 28-foot offshore with twin 300s will get you there in well under an hour.

Charter a boat from Homer using Coastal Charter 907.299.2346 and ask for Captain Patrick, and he will get you there in about an hour.

Beluga Lake is a float plane lake in Homer, and it is about a 10-minute flight to the island.

Helicopter charters can get you to the island in about 15 minutes, but it’s recommended to access at low tide.

There is also a Ferry twice daily from Homer to Seldovia and then a short boat ride from Seldovia to Passage Island.

AIRPORT SERVICES

Anchorage International Airport is approximately 117 miles northeast of Homer.

Seldovia airport has a 1,845foot long and 60-foot wide gravel airstrip.

Homer has a 6,70-foot by 150-foot asphalt airstrip with commercial service with Ravn Air. It also has a nearby facility for floatplanes on Beluga Lake.

AREA HISTORY

Captain Portlock named Passage Island in 1786 because the island was at the entrance of what was mistakenly thought to be a “strait (Port Graham) leading out to sea.”

Around 1910 a fox farm was established by John Herbert on Passage Island. He built a pen and little houses, and the foxes ran loose around the island until they were ready to give birth.

Residents of Port Graham worked for the fox farm, harvesting local fish and marine mammals for feed. They cooked the feed in a fifty-gallon drum that was cut in half and assisted in caring for the animals.

By 1919 the stock consisted of 25 pairs which produced about 100 pups. Unfortunately, about 80% resulted in losses as eagles flew down and carried them away. John Herbert soon retired, and a man started a mink ranch on the island. He had the same helpers who helped at the fox farm skinning the mink for fur.

The mink feasted on clams and chitons and sold for about eight dollars per pelt. When the owner and his family closed the ranch, they sold off practically everything. Since then, the island has been virtually untouched.

John Herbert

ACREAGE

• 44.55± Acres

At low tide, a large spit extends south nearly to the United States Coast Guard (USCG) navigation marker and is predominantly small gravel. At low tide, Passage Island is closer to 58 acres.

8 Passage Island | Seldovia, Alaska

TIMBERLAND

• 40± Acres

Bore samples taken from the spruce trees indicate they are 350+ years old. The trees inward of 100 feet of the perimeter are 90-100 feet tall with an estimated average diameter at breast height (DBH) of 22 inches. The estimated volume is approximately 15-25 thousand board feet (MBF) per acre.

All Timber rights appurtenant owned by Seller will convey to the Buyer at closing.

SCENIC VISTAS

See breathtaking views of snow-covered mountains, glaciers, rugged shorelines, waterfalls, spruce trees, and abundant wildlife.

On a clear day, you can see four volcanoes, including St. Augustine, Redoubt, Iliamna, and Duncan.

CLIMATE

Seldovia is warmer than most places in Alaska averaging 134 days of sunshine annually. June-August are the most pleasant months, with temperatures reaching the mid-80s.

Winters can be cold, averaging 74 inches of snow and 44 inches of rain annually.

Climate data courtesy of http://www.city-data.com/city/Seldovia-Alaska.html

Passage Island | Seldovia, Alaska

• Hunting & Fishing

• Hiking

• Kayaking

• Camping

• Beachcombing

• Scuba Diving

• Whales: Orca’s, Humpback, Beluga, and Minkie

• Sea Otters

• Waterfowl

• Seals

• Eagles

• King Salmon

• Silver Salmon

• Sockeye Salmon

• Pink Salmon

• Halibut

• Lingcod

• Pacific Cod

• Rockfish

NEARBY ATTRACTIONS & ACTIVITIES

Nearby Seldovia is a small coastal community known to the locals as the “City of Secluded Charm.” Retaining much of its character, Seldovia is one of the most unspoiled places in the world. This quaint town is compact and easy to get around in a small amount of time. Take a stroll down the boardwalk and visit the many shops and restaurants or get off the main drag and hike the Otter-Bahn trail through the old-growth forest.

Across the bay from Seldovia is Homer, the “Halibut Capital of the World.” A four-and-a-half-mile spit surrounded by miles of beaches and glacier-studded mountains. Known for its fishing and local art, any time of year is a wonderful time to visit Homer.

Find everything from deep-sea fishing to dog sled racing to locally grown food at the farmer’s market. Pay a visit to the iconic Salty Dawg Saloon and join the tradition of tacking a dollar bill to the wall, or board a scenic flight to Katmai National Park and watch bears catching salmon out of the water. With endless activities, these two towns are only a boat ride away, so you will never be bored.

Boardwalk in Homer, Alaska Homer, Alaska

Passage Island | Seldovia, Alaska

SUMMARY

This beautiful island located southwest of Homer is ready for its next owner. Accessible by boat, floatplane, or helicopter at low tide, Passage Island is built for the adventurer, fisherman, or anyone looking to invest in property.

Easily accessible by Homer or Seldovia, Passage Island is close to local amenities and endless activities. After a long day of fishing off the island, enjoy a campfire started with coal that washes ashore and grill up the day’s catch. Watch the sun set over the snowcapped mountains and take in the island’s picturesque beauty. There is nothing quite like the tranquility of this remote wilderness island.

WATER SOURCES | WATER RIGHTS

There are no water rights, but there could possibly be a fresh water source on the island from the spring.

MINERAL RIGHTS

All mineral rights appurtenant to the property and owned by the Seller will convey to the Buyer at closing. Mineral rights are not guaranteed. It is suggested that the Buyer conduct a mineral search with a title company.

CONSERVATION | STEWARDSHIP

Each of us at Fay Ranches loves the land and wants to see it remain as productive agricultural ground as well as quality fish and wildlife habitat. Through promoting the use of thoughtful land stewardship, Fay Ranches has guided owners toward a legacy of conserving wide-open spaces, enhancing and creating fisheries and wildlife habitats, and implementing sustainable agricultural operations. Fay Ranches is proud to say that since our company began in 1992, our clients’ conservation ethic and land-use practices have significantly enhanced the landscape on which we work.

PRICE

$5,950,000

TAXES

$1,301

Cash, or other terms acceptable by seller

Seller financing available to qualified buyers:

• Interest rate 4%

• Down payment 25%

• Amortization 25 years with 10 year call

This is an exclusive co-listing with Fay Ranches, Inc and Alaska Top Shelf Realty. Please contact Troy Dana at (360) 402-5500 | tdana@fayranches.com or Yvan Corbin at (907) 301-0875 | yvan@ alaskatopshelfrealty.com to schedule a showing. An agent from Fay Ranches or Alaska Top Shelf Realty must be present at all showings, unless otherwise noted or other arrangements are made. To view other properties, fly fishing properties, and sporting ranches that we have listed, please visit our web page at www.fayranches.com .

TERMS CONTACT NOTICE

Offer is subject to errors, omissions, prior sale, change or withdrawal without notice, and approval of purchase by owner. Information regarding land classification, carrying capacities, maps, etc., is intended only as a general guideline and has been provided by the owners and other sources deemed reliable, but the accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Prospective purchasers are encouraged to research the information to their own satisfaction.

Passage Island | Seldovia, Alaska

Passage Island | Seldovia, Alaska

Passage Island | Seldovia, Alaska