Commander Islands Preserve
This federal preserve protects the unique marine ecosystem of the Commander Islands 188 miles east of Kamchatka. The islands are known as the shipwreck site of the St. Peter captained by Vitus Bering who died there during the winter of 1741. The naturalist onboard for the 2nd Kamchatka Expedition, George Wilhelm Steller, spent his shipwreck time investigating and describing the natural history of Bering Island. The preserve is home to 12 species of mammals, and 150 species of birds either nesting or visiting the islands of Bering, Medniy, Ariy Kamen, and Toporokov. 
These treeless islands are covered with lush tundra and beach vegetation and about 383 plant species have been documented on the island.
The village of Nikolskoye on Bering Island is home to about 700 year round residents, many of whom are descendents of Aleut people. The Russian American Company brought these people to Bering Island to settle there and to work for them harvesting fur seals and sea otters. One of the animals they hunted 
is the now extinct Steller sea cow, a large docile relative of the manatee, which was first discovered in 1741 and disappeared only 28 years after. Bering Island is famous for its seal rookeries, including the Steller sea lion. Sea otters are also part of the rich marine life present surrounding the islands. The preserve’s status protects remaining sea otters from hunting.
How to get there
The Commander Islands are served by weekly flights by small planes from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky to Nikolskoye, departing and returning to the peninsula on Mondays. The frequency of fog and storms often delays flights so keep this in mind when planning a trip to the Commander Islands. Prior to visiting, one must have a permit from the preserve and since it’s a restricted zone, permits from the Border Guards and FSB are also required. These can be obtained with the help of a licensed Kamchatka tour operator. It is also better if travelers’ visas list Nikolskoye as one of the destinations on their visa.
What to do and see
The Commander Islands are a birders’ paradise. Abundant seabird colonies offer a chance to observe puffins, cormorants, auklets, gulls, alcids, and kittiwakes both blacklegged and red-legged. During summer, the fur seal rookeries are a cacophony with bawling pups, crooning adults, and roaring bulls. Along the shores one may see Arctic foxes, and offshore sea otters and the endangered Steller sea lion.
The scenery is reminiscent of the Pribilof Islands or the Aleutian Islands with dramatic high sea cliffs, crashing waves, and wildflower-filled tundra during summer.
It is possible to visit the grave and memorial to Vitus Bering and the other sailors who died during their winter ordeal. Also the village of Nikolskoye has an interesting small Aleut museum and an interesting artist Sergey Pasenjuk who draws scenes and people of the islands.
Groups of over 10 individuals require 2 inspectors. Contact the Preserve office for information about finding guide service.
Visitor information
Commander Islands Preserve
29/1 Karl Marks Street, Room 310
Telephone/fax: (415 22) 5-54-18
E-mail: gpz.komandorskiy@mail.iks.ru
