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The port is a favorite among smaller ships from upscale lines like Oceania, Silversea, and Regent Seven Seas, among others. Right near the shuttle drop-off and visitor center is the Crescent Harbor where a lot of small boats are docked. It was around a 15 minute shuttle ride from the Sitka cruise port to town.
What Are the Cruise Lines That Offer Routes to Sitka, Alaska?
Unfortunately, most Alaskan cruises sail well before these dates, so you might not be able to see any whales while in Sitka, Alaska. But you’ll likely be able to see plenty of sea lines, harbor seals, and sometimes sea otters. Sitka National Historical Park is the oldest national park in Alaska and is within walking distance of downtown Sitka. The park covers 113 acres and is the site of the final battle of 1804 between the native Tlingit people and the Russians. Alaska’s rich natural resources don’t just make for eye-popping vistas and adventurous activities; they also feed into a robust and unique culinary scene.
Visit Sheldon Jackson Museum
I had returned from St. Petersburg just before visiting Sitka, and the quality and variety of what this shop has to offer rivals anything I found in Russia. During the several days I spent in Sitka, I had the opportunity to try a number of the city’s restaurants. If you’re a seafood lover like me, you’ll appreciate all the fresh seafood that southeast Alaska has to offer. At the base camp, you’ll learn how to safely maneuver your tandem kayak, and you’ll suit up in the provided rain gear and personal flotation device. Kayakers then split into groups of no more than six, and glide across the water to follow their guide.
Hike the Harbor Mountain Trail
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Still, it’s a good idea to get familiar with bear behavior, so you know what to do if you encounter one. Most major US cell phone companies offer coverage in downtown Sitka. If you venture out into the bay or remote areas of the island, however, service may be limited. Check with your provider before your trip to see where you’ll have coverage. Known by the locals as “Castle Hill,” this is one of the most important historical sites in all of Alaska.
Culture & Museums
Aside from being one of the most beautiful places in Alaska, Sitka Sound has been a fishing paradise since the days of the Tlingits, who were one of the first groups to inhabit the area. Famous around the world for its sportfishing, Sitka Sound is also home to several varieties of Alaskan salmon and other species like halibut and rockfish. No experience is necessary, and kayakers can paddle at their own speed following a guide. On tour, you’ll learn about Sitka’s fauna and flora and can ask questions about this unique area. As you paddle along the coastline, you can see eagles in the treetops, humpbacks in the water, and bears foraging the shoreline for food. On my last Alaska cruise, we visited the Fortress of the Bears as part of a larger shore excursion.
See a Tlingit Native Dance
“Castle Hill,” as locals refer to it, is one of Alaska’s most important historical sites. The Tlingit Natives built the strategic fortification well before the Russian’s first visit, which later served as the location of Alaska’s land transfer from Russia to the United States. Before you leave, the gift shop proceeds go towards the rescue center and the support of these magnificent creatures.
The town has a ton of historical buildings and places of natural beauty that are free to visit. It’s a scenic five mile drive from downtown Sitka to this three-quarter acre bear rescue center. Run by bear-loving volunteers, visitors get a view from above of the bears in a natural habitat. There are half-hour guided tours that offer insight into the history of the rescue center. During my first visit to Sitka Alaska, cruise ships could only tender. Now, two ships can a day can dock at the new Sitka cruise port, six miles from town.
This is where my marine wildlife tour was starting from, and it was also the meeting point of my tour. I think I got off the ship a little over an hour after the announcement was made that we could leave the ship, and it was quick and easy to get off the ship and get on the shuttle to town. When exploring the town, we stumbled upon some small food stands set up just behind the Sitka Hotel and near Baranof Castle Hill. One was called The Fresh Fish and served up a halibut ceviche that you’d be hard-pressed to find anywhere else than Alaska. It was a memorable meal and something we’d highly recommend to people wanting something local to eat while in town.
The oldest museum in Alaska also holds the honor of being the first concrete building in the state. Live performances are held in the summer months, with drumming and the chance to join native dance around the fire pit. The current Russian orthodox cathedral, with its green onion domes and golden crosses, is a replica of the original that was destroyed by a fire in 1966. Sitka is a beautiful small town on the west side of Baranof Island in southeastern Alaska. Feel free to simply browse but it will be difficult not to pick up some truly made-in-Sitka souvenirs. Some of these shops are Wintersong for lotions and unique gifts, Alaska Pure Sea Salt, 57 Peaks leggings.
Best of all, this top-rated cruise kayaks out farther in one direction by providing a cruise transfer return. Sitka offers RV parks, cabins and many camping areas located on and off the island. Equinox offers custom multiday adventure cruises based out of historic Sitka, Alaska. Tlingit dancers perform in connection with Sitka Tribal Tours and demonstrate traditional songs and dances passed down by generations. The Alaska Raptor Center rehabilitates injured birds and releases them back into the wild.
9 Best Things to Do in Sitka, Alaska - TripSavvy
9 Best Things to Do in Sitka, Alaska.
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Several locally owned hotels and inns can be found in and close to the downtown area. There’s a variety of specialty lodging in Sitka including bed & breakfasts, cabins, vacation rentals, and cottages for a more intimate experience. Sitka is also home to a wide selection of oceanfront lodges that offer fishing charters.
Visitors can get a once-in-a-lifetime view of the bears from the safety of secure observation decks. And friendly guides are happy to share information on the bears and even the names and personalities of individual animals. One of the most popular attractions in Sitka is a visit to the Fortress of the Bear.
Stop for lunch at Ludwig’s Chowder Cart by the Sound Science Museum before heading to Sitka National Historical Park to hike the totem trail through the forest and along the beach. The protected bays and endless islands upon islands around Sitka make it an ideal kayaking location. Tides and currents can be wicked but you can trust your guide to keep you safe while seeing amazing scenery and wildlife. A variety of tours from a few hours to multiple days are an option. Prioritize getting to the rocky beach at low tide for the chance to explore tidepools and see sea stars and other colorful marine life up close. There is an island that is connected at low tide that has especially good tidepools.
As their mission statement says, they’re “dedicated to increasing understanding and awareness of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems of Alaska through education and research”. Visitors can explore the Molly O. Ahlgren aquarium and reach into the touch tanks and feel some of the sea creatures that inhabit tidal pools. One of the few remaining buildings of Russian colonial architecture in North America, the log house was completed in 1842. It was home to the Russian Orthodox Church that presided over an area from California to Kamchatka in Siberia for over 125 years.
You could spot bald eagles perched watchfully in the trees, as well as sea lions and harbor seals bobbing in the water or hauled out on the rocks. As you paddle past the forested shoreline and rock-strewn beaches, your guide will point out the marine life. Look out for colorful sea stars, sea urchins, and scuttling crabs around the water’s edge. There’s no shortage of things to do in Sitka on land, but why not take things to the water? Water sports like kayaking will open your eyes to the majesty and scale of Sitka’s waters.
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