Sitka cruise port guide
Why go?
Sitka’s position on a mountain-backed bay scattered with forest-covered islands makes it one of Alaska’s prettiest towns, but the region’s Tlingit Native and later history – before 1867 this was where Russian colonialists established their Alaskan capital – makes it of unique interest to cruise-ship and other visitors.
Cruise port location
Most cruise ships dock at the two-berth Old Sitka Dock at Halibut Point Marine, six miles north of the town centre. Free shuttles depart every 10 minutes on cruise-ship days and take 15 minutes to travel to the drop-off point at the central Harrigan Centennial Hall, home to Sitka’s visitor centre. Larger vessels anchor in Crescent Bay and tender to O’Connell Bridge or Crescent Harbor on the town centre waterfront.
Can I walk to places of interest?
Sitka has more historical sites than anywhere in Alaska – 24 attractions here are listed on the US National Register of Historic Places, seven of which are National Historic Landmarks. Almost all of these can be seen on foot in and around the town. The most distant main site, Sitka National Historic Park, is a mile, or 20 minutes walk east of the town centre.
Getting around
It is easy to get around Sitka, which consists of a handful of central streets and sights around Castle Hill, along with other streets and attractions on and around Lincoln Street, which curves east, in conjunction with the Sea Walk Trail, from the town around the Crescent Harbor Marina to the Sitka National Historic Park. [MAP].
What to see and do
Devote most of your time in Sitka to the town’s medley of historic buildings and sites. Begin you exploration at the visitor centre in Harrigan Centennial Hall, which is also home to the Isabel Miller Museum, which has exhibits that provide a broad introduction to the town and its history. If you have more time, then wildlife, fishing, hiking, kayaking and other outdoor excursions are possible.
What can I do in four hours or less?
The US has just four surviving buildings from the era when Russia had a distinct presence in North America (1799–1867) and two are in Sitka. Start by visiting the oldest, the Russian Bishop’s House, which dates from 1842. The second, from 1835, now a gift shop, is at 206 Lincoln Street.
Close by, St Michael’s Cathedral is rebuilt copy from 1966 of the original Russian Orthodox building from 1848, which was destroyed by fire, though many of the original precious icons were saved and can be viewed. A few moments away is Castle Hill, a rocky outcrop and state historic site that for perhaps 9,000 years formed the heart of the original Tlingit Native settlement Shee Atiká, from which Sitka gets its name.
Discover more about Sitka’s Native history at the Sheldon Jackson Museum, a few minutes walk east of the town centre. Then visit the nearby Sitka National Historic Park, known locally as Totem Park, and its visitor centre, which provides background on the site’s history and various totems.
Just north of the park is the popular Alaska Raptor Center, which looks after wounded birds of prey before releasing them into the wild.
Or rent a bike from Yellow Jersey (from $20 for two hours) and explore farther afield.
What can I do in eight hours or less?
Sitka’s wonderful ocean setting makes trips on the water the most tempting of the local excursions on offer. The region has some of Southeast Alaska’s best sea kayaking, thanks to miles of sheltered coves, channels and bays. Alaska Travel Adventures and Sitka Sound Ocean Adventures offer three- and five-hour guided excursions from $149 per person.
Sitka’s waters also offer some of Alaska’s best saltwater salmon fishing, with June, late July and August – cruise-ship season – all good times to fish. Operators such as Sitka Fish and Fly Fish Sitka offer six–hour and longer charters from $275.
Late summer is the best time to see humpback whales in local waters, but wildlife tours offer summer-long opportunities to see otters, seals, bears and deer. Trips to St Lazaria Island, a federal wildlife refuge, also offer excellent bird-watching opportunities. Around half-a-dozen operators offer wildlife tours, including SeaMarine has two-hour tours to St Lazaria from $125 per person.
Most sightseeing, fishing and wildlife tours leave from Crescent Harbor Marina.
Eat and drink
Sitka has a large commercial fishing fleet so fish and seafood are the obvious specialities here, but get away from the bland outlets aimed at visitors for places such Ludvig’s Bistro and the Channel Club south of the cruise terminal (ask the shuttle to drop you). The town’s microbrewery, Baronof Island Brewing Company, is beyond the Sitka Park site in an unprepossessing spot, but the beer and food are popular with locals.
Don’t leave without…
Buy jewellery made from the locally occurring 'Glacier Ice' blue zircon at the Goldsmith Gallery and for excellent hand-made local arts and crafts visit the Artist Cove, Island Artists and Sitka Rose galleries.
Need to know
Safety
Sitka is a small, friendly town where you can feel safe exploring under your own steam.
Best time to go
Sitka’s warmest months are June, July and September, with average highs of around 58F (14C), and August, with highs of 62F (16C). During the peak cruise season from May to September, June is the driest month (an average of 2.9in/7.3cm of rain). May and July have similar rainfall averages (4.2in/10.67cm), but precipitation increases through August (6.85in/17.4cm) and September (11.73in/29.8cm).
Closures
Most tour companies and historic and other sites close or operate restricted hours from mid-September to April.