Sitka Activities Resource Guide

Thank you for choosing to stay at the Fisherman's Quay! To help you plan your trip we've put together a locals list of options. Double clicking on a blue link will take you to a recommended vendor's website. If you have any questions, contact: Barb @ 907-738-3557. We look forward to meeting you and sharing with you the beauty of Alaska.

Charter Fishing

       Tad Kisaka, (907) 738-2737​       Derek Floyd and Ben Floyd, (888) 204-5245, (907) 747-7667       Mike Reif, (907) 738-6016
Licenses, Tackle and gear: Murray Pacific, FQ anchor tenant, (907) 747-3171

Alaska Fish and Game: Chart of our area, where and what fish are available.

Fresh Seafood

Sitka Fresh Retail: A two minute walk south on Katlian St. at the North Pacific Seafoods fish processing plant, offering locally caught halibut, king, coho and sockeye salmon, Dungeness crab, black cod, ling cod, scallops, shrimp and chum (salmon) caviar. Open 11-4 seven days a week; Friday and Saturday only, after Sept. 15. (907) 747-2001.

Marine Wildlife viewing

Flying Tours and Services

Kayaks and other boat rentals

​Fisherman's Quay Kayak and Canoe Fleet — free to guests on first come, first served basis
Sitka Self Charters, 18' Hewescraft w/outboard, day rental, (907) 738-9090

Biking

  • Fisherman's Quay bike fleet — free to guests on first come, first served basis
  • Yellow Jersey Cycle, (907) 747-6317

Hiking — Sitka Trails


Accessible from downtown  Accessible via auto, bike, bus transit system or small watercraft
South
  • Thimbleberry/Heart Lake trail
  • Herring Cove-Beaver Lake trail
  • Verstovia trail
  • Arrowhead Peak—GPS/personal guide highly recommended

North
  • Harbor Mountain
  • Harbor Mountain to Gavin Hill
  • Muskeg trail
  • Starrigavin Estuary
  • Mosquito Cove trail
  • Fort Rousseau State Historical Park (WWII installations), accessible by boat only, a must do straight from the FQ

Culture and History

Native Tlingit Culture and Local History

Russian Culture and History

Other Things to do in Sitka

  • Alaska Raptor Center: Attend a program on the natural history of bald eagles and other raptors. Learn about the rehabilitation of injured birds, and view numerous residents up close in the mews .
  • ATV Tours: Explore Kruzof Island by ATV.
  • Fortress of the Bear: Visit this unique grizzly bear cub rescue center; also home to the Sawmill farm.
  • Sitka Sound Ocean Science Center: Get acquainted with local sea creatures in the aquarium; learn about terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems of the Gulf of Alaska.
  • Sitka Ocean Raft Adventures: Not for the faint of heart. Experience Sitka Sound and its volcanic geology by open ocean raft.

  • Pick Berries (May thru September): All along Sitka's road and trail system is an abundance of lush bushes, often loaded with edible berries. It is a good idea to purchase a field guide book or ID card to take with you when hiking so that you can be sure that you only pick edible berries. Keep in mind that bears love berries, too, so use adequate caution. Bring your bucket and have fun filling it with salmonberries, blueberries, huckleberries, thimbleberries, and low and high-bush cranberries.

  • Take pictures: Sitka is an especially photogenic place. Ocean-island panoramas, moss and fern rainforest lushness, wildlife, wildflowers, historic and cultural subjects —the well preserved totem poles in the Sitka National Historical Park are especially enticing, the play of northern latitude light on the environment, alone, is worthy of your attention!

  • Walk the harbors: Whether you already have an appreciation of boats or not, you will enjoy Sitka Harbors. Our small town has more harbor space, than the other towns of southeastern Alaska, every boat is different, from true derelicts to multi-million dollar fishing boats and yachts, and every one of our 5 harbors has open access. You are free to stroll the floats day and night, and the experience will give you a feel for the way of life on the Alaskan coast that you can get nowhere else.

  • Visit Old Harbor Books on Lincoln St, and/or the Kettleson Library: Old Harbor Books (with the Back Door coffee shop—delicious home baked goodies and lunch—behind it) is well stocked with books for all interests and ages, but also has an excellent selection of Alaskana, from a wide variety of field guides, to memoirs of diverse Alaskan adventurers, to Sitka- and Alaska-themed fiction and mysteries. The acclaimed and locally setmystery novels of John Straley, longtime Sitkan, are available here, among others.

  • Sitka Public Library is another good source for books about Sitka and Alaska. Take some time while you are here to relax in the library's friendly atmosphere, although you may find it difficult to read there. The stunning view of Crescent Bay and the mountains beyond, from the comfortable reading area, may command all your attention.
  • Read flyers and announcements posted around town.  There's usually some event, program or celebration going on in Sitka. Live music is performed frequently. We'll keep the Events Calendar updated with the most noteworthy of these, but flyers are a good source for information. Old Harbor Books, the downtown post office and grocery store bulletin boards are good places to look for information on upcoming events.

Guest preparation and logistics

Dressing for the weather: Sitka is lush and green because of rich soil, mild temperatures and lots of life-giving moisture. During your stay, you will likely experience some combination of glorious sunshine, drizzly overcast skies, and pouring rain. With proper protective gear and an adventurous attitude, there is no reason not to thoroughly enjoy the ever-changing beauty of Sitka, regardless of the weather. A serious raincoat, rain hat and waterproof footwear are essential to ensure a pleasant, activity-filled trip. Lightweight rain pants are also a good idea, though more optional. Our principal retail tenant, Murray Pacific is well stocked with raingear if you would rather wait and see what the locals use. Dress in light layers, but don’t overdo it. No need to bring polar jackets! A long sleeved shirt and light sweater under a windbreaker will keep you plenty warm in most situations. Given our humid climate, you could well end up in just a T-shirt on rigorous hikes, even when it is cool. Bring a good-sized rain-resistant daypack.
  • Mosquitoes and No-see-ums: Unlike northern Alaska, mosquitoes and no-see-ums rarely cause concern around town and usually are not a problem while hiking, but they can be annoying when stopping to rest or take in our breath-taking vistas. Definitely carry repellent and if you are particularly tasty, consider packing a head net.
  • Devil's Club: This unique plant is a popular subject for cautious photographers. Treasured for it's medicinal value, as well as its cultural significance to local Natives, this is one plant you do not want to use as a hand hold in the forest. The fine needle-like spines that adorn its stalk are a sure indicator that you do not want to get too close, and the bright red berries can be poisonous if eaten raw.
  • Bears: The greater Sitka area is brown bear territory, Ursus arctos, or coastal grizzly. Like us, they will use local trails or even our streets on rare occasions. You are much more likely to be hurt on a bike or in a car than by a brown bear, so do not let fear prevent you from enjoying the great outdoors. However, it is only prudent to understand how to avoid confrontations with these magnificent animals and be properly prepared if you do. For more information on brown bears click here to visit Alaska Fish and Game.
  • Snakes and poisonous spiders: There are none anywhere close to Sitka. Your biggest danger in our forests is becoming lost, falling off a cliff, getting wet and cold, or chomped on by momma bear. Remember, this hardly ever happens and you only have to outrun the slowest member of your group to be safe. :-)

Local Transportation

Given the Fisherman's Quay's central location, you may decide renting a car for your whole stay is unnecessary as long as you are prepared with good rain gear. We have several bicycles equipped with large capacity panniers available for guest use to get you and your gear around town, to local trail heads, or to the grocery store at the head of Katlian St.. Although our road system is all of 14 miles long, both ends are worth exploring, ...as well as Harbor Mountain in the middle, so either a car rental for a day or Taxi service are good options. Charter fishing companies can pick you up directly from the FQ marina.