Sitka
The place where culture, history and art meet
Sitka is famous for its spectacular scenery, abundant wildlife and culturally rich history and community. Fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing as well as spectacular kayaking opportunities abound. One of Sitka’s strongest distinguishing features is the cultural fusion of the Tlingit Native American traditions intermingled with Russian American influences. Sitka was the capital of Russian America and the site of the handover from Russia to the United States after the purchase of Alaska in 1867. This robust duality emanates from the local galleries, art, architecture, dance performances and local museums.
Kayak through the beautiful waters
Experience Wilderness
Fish the plentiful waters for salmon and halibut
Learn about Totems at the Sitka National Historical Park
Featured Activities
Wildlife Cruise
Cruise throughout Sitka Sound and see whales, puffins, sea otters and more.
Fishing
Sitka offers some of the best ocean fishing for salmon and halibut anywhere in southeast Alaska.
Kayaking
Kayak through beautiful bays and islands surrounding Sitka.
Hiking
Hike one of the many trails ranging from easy walking to mountain summits.
Culture and Events
Take in Alaska’s Russian and Native history and culture through dance. Shee’tka Kwaan Naa Kahidi Dancers’ performances include Tlingit performers both young and old and feature storytelling through traditional dance. New Archangel Dancers promote and encourage interest in Alaska’s Russian history through eighteenth and nineteenth century ethnic folk dance and song.
Featured Wildlife
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Puffins
The tufted or crested puffin can be identified by its thick red bill and yellow tufts. They can carry large quantities of fish in their bills to carry food back to their nests.
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Sockeye Salmon
Sockeye salmon are an anadromous species of salmon and are the third most common Pacific salmon species, after pink and chum salmon. The name “sockeye” is an Anglicization of “suk-kegh,”, meaning “red fish,” which is its name in Halkomelem, the language of the indigenous people along the lower reaches of the Fraser River in British Columbia.
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Sea Otters
Sea otters are marine mammals native to the North Pacific Ocean and weigh between 30 and 100 pounds, making them the heaviest member of the weasel family. Unlike most marine mammals, the sea otter’s primary insulation is a thick coat of fur, the densest in the animal kingdom. This fur coat was the reason sea otters were hunted to near extinction and why Russia chose Sitka as its capital for Alaska. Today sea otters are plentiful around Sitka, but remain on the endangered species list.
Plan your Trip
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Sound Sailing - S/V BOB — Skippered sailing charters in the Tongass National Forest and Glacier Bay National Park.
- soundsailing.com
- capt.blain@soundsailing.com
- 907-887-9446
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Alaska Ocean View Bed and Breakfast Inn — Overnight lodging (open 12 months a year) providing super comfortable beds, scrumptious whole foods, organic breakfast with gourmet touches and delicious snacks in a scenic serene setting. Wi-Fi & espresso. Central location with a great view.
- sitka-alaska-lodging.com
- alaskaoceanview@gci.net
- 907-747-8310
- 1101 Edgecumbe Drive / Sitka, AK 99835
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Alaska Reel Affairs Charters — Offering all-inclusive saltwater sport fishing packages.
- www.reelaffair.com
- reel.affair@att.net
- 888-966-2322
- P.O. Box 1825 / Sitka, AK 99835
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Annahootz Alaskan Adventures — Sightseeing, hiking, fishing and hunting in southeast Alaska mostly on Baranoff Island.
- www.annahootz.com
- Jim@annahootz.com
- 907-738-0996
- P.O. Box 52 / Sitka, AK 99835
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Aquatic Alaska Adventures — Aquatic Alaska Adventures offers safe, comfortable and fun wildlife tours and water taxi service in and around Sitka Sound. If you are interested in wildlife viewing tours or water taxi service to any of the many remote islands, cabins, beaches or trails for recreation or solitude then give us a call! Plenty of room for gear, bikes, kayaks, SUP's, etc. Boat capacity is 6 guests. Competitive rates, clean and comfortable boat, licensed and insured, fuel efficient and safe.
- aquaticalaska.com
- aquaticalaska@gmail.com
- 907-738-7873
- 307 Charteris St. / Sitka, AK
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Baranof Wilderness Lodge — Wilderness adventure and fishing lodge. Basecamps and float trips.
- flyfishalaska.com
- mtrotter@flyfishalaska.com
- 907-738-9039
- PO Box 2187 / Sitka, AK 99835
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Kayak Transport Company — Mothership kayaking for up to 6 kayakers for seven days and six nights. Remote locations, comfortable accomodations, good food and nice people. Book early as we fill up every year.
- www.kayaktransport.com
- staff@kayaktransport.com
- On Facebook
- 206-719-0976
- 2442 NW Market St. #544 / Seattle, WA 98107
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Latitude Adventures — Multi-day kayak expeditions, day tours, instructional courses. Single and double kayak rentals and camping gear.
- www.latitude-adventures.com
- scott@sitkawild.org
- 907-738-4091
- Sitka, AK 99835
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Parker Guide Service — Ecotours off a 70 foot yacht for up to 12 passengers. Ports of call include Sitka, Kake, Baranoff Warm Springs, Tracy Arm and Juneau. Create your own itinerary. Perfect for small groups of family and friends who want to customize their own activities.
- www.alaskaboatcruises.com
- parkerguideservice@gmail.com
- On Facebook
- 907-747-6026
- P.O. Box 6290 / Sitka, AK 99835
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S.E. Alaska Outdoor Adventures — Fully guided charter fishing and B&B lodging. Professional processing, Alaskan hospitality, relaxed atmosphere. #1 goal? Fish on!
- www.seadventures.com
- fishsitka@att.net
- On Facebook
- 907-747-8800
- P.O. Box 6143 / Sitka, AK 99835
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Sitka Salmon Tours — Sitka Salmon Tours provides daily behind-the-scenes walking tours of Sitka, Alaska's sustainable salmon fishery. As you'll find out, wild Alaskan salmon are the lifeblood of Sitka's unique culture and the backbone of its economy. In this personalized tour, you will see salmon, think salmon, and eat salmon, as your tour guide walks you through salmon's life cycle, from the braided streams of the Tongass National Forest to the plates of Sitka's restaurants and beyond.
- www.sitkasalmontours.com
- sitkasalmontours@sitkawild.org
- 907-747-7509
- 815-409-0979
- P.O. Box 6533 / Sitka, AK 99835
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Sitka Tours LLC — Transportation and sightseeing tours.
- 907-747-8443
- P.O. Box 1000 / Sitka, AK 99835
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Sitka Tribal Tours — Founded by the Sitka Tribe of Alaska, Sitka Tribal Tours has been sharing Sitka's rich history and culture since 1994. Our non-profit organization is dedicated to providing exceptional tours that encompass all that is unique to Sitka.On Sitka Tribal Tours, history is a living thread from the past to the present. We offer a comprehensive cultural tour via coach as well as custom tours and an authentic native dance in the Sheet'Ka Kwaan Naa Kahidi clan house.
- www.sitkatours.com
- touroperations@sitkatribe-nsn.gov
- 907-747-7290
- 888-270-8687
- 456 Katlian St. / Sitka, AK 99835
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U.S. Forest Service, Redoubt Lake information — The U.S. Forest Service has extensive information for planning your trip to Sitka and Redoubt Lake.
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Wild Alaska Cruises & Sport Fishing — Multiday fishing and wildlife cruises aboard the excursion yacht "Perseverance." Departures from Juneau, Petersburg, Wrangell and Sitka.
- www.fishwildalaska.com
- larry@wildalaskacruises.com
- On Facebook
- 907-723-1596
- P.O. Box 22089 / Juneau, AK 99802