| Fishing | Hiking | Kayaking | Biking | Marine Wildlife Viewing | |
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| 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 red link will take you to a recommended vendor's website. If you have any questions, contact: Sharon @ 907-738-0176 or Barb @ 907-738-3557. We look forward to meeting you and sharing our beautiful bit of Alaska. |
Deep Sea and Fresh Water Fishing
- Alaska Getaway,
salmon, halibut and fresh water fly fishing, Paul Fitzgibbon, Captain,
(907) 966-3474
- Alaska Adventures Unlimited,
broker: fishing and wildlife sightseeing, Mike Wallisch,
(907) 738-6244
- Reel Affair, Tim & Octobre Twaddle, (888) 966-2322
- Reel Class Charters, Derek Floyd and Ben Floyd, (888) 204-5245, (907) 747-7667
- Sitka's Secrets, Kent Hall, Captain, (907) 747-5089
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- Fishing Gear Rentals (not available)
Murray Pacific, FQ anchor tenant, (907) 747-3171, ask for Pat for tips and info.
- Flying Tours and Services
- Sitka's Secrets, Kent Hall, Captain,
(907) 747-5089, www.sitkasecret.com,
- Esther G Sea Taxi,
Davy Lubin, Captain,
(907) 747-6481, www.puffinsandwhales.com,
Hiking ~ Sitka Trails
Accessible from downtown
- Sitka National Historical Park (Totem Park)
- Gavin Hill
- Indian River
- Raptor Center
- Cross Trail
Accessible via auto, bike, bus transit system or small watercraft;
- Thimbleberry/Heart Lake trail
- Herring Cove-Beaver Lake trail
- Verstovia trail
- Arrowhead Peak—GPS/personal guide highly recommended
- 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
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Kayaks and Other Boat Rentals
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- Fisherman's Quay Kayak and Canoe Fleet—free to guests on first come, first served basis
- BJ Boat Rentals, call for up-to-date information,
Barb and John Delong,
(907) 738-6375,
(907) 738-0481
- Annahootz Alaskan Adventures, call for information, Jim Phillips,
(907) 747-2608,
(907) 738-0996
- Sitka Sound Ocean Adventures, kayak rentals, (907) 752-0660, (907) 966-3390
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Culture and History
Native Tlingit Culture and History
Russian Culture and History
Other Things to do in Sitka
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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.
- 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.
- Sea Life Discovery Tours: Explore the underwater world of Sitka Sound in a custom built semi-submersible.
- Sitka Ocean Raft Adventures: Not for the faint of heart. Experience Sitka Sound and its volcanic geology by open ocean raft.
- 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.
- Kettleson Memorial 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, from the comfortable reading area, of Crescent Bay and the mountains beyond may command all your attention.
- Read flyers and announcements posted around town; check out the Events Calendar below
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 Logistics and Preparation
- 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 (coastal grizzlies) territory. 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. :-)
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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.
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 stuff 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, there is great stuff to see and do at both ends 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.
- Sitka Bus System: Bus runs Monday thru Friday from 6:30am to 7:30 PM. Click here for link and info
- Taxi (Land) Services: Sitka has many taxi services. Here are a few of our favorites;
- Moore Taxi: (907) 738-3210
- Nina's Taxi: (907) 738-1931
- Sassy's Taxi: (907) 738-3311
- Sitka Cab: 907-747-5001
- Water Taxi Services:
- Air Taxi and Tours
- Auto Rentals
- Sitka Bike Rentals and Tours: outfits in Sitka that offer bike rentals.
Restaurants (The ones in red have either address and info or a web page on the internet.)
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January: |
Russian Christmas and Starring |
Russian Orthodox Celebration: write: Saint Michael's Cathedral, P.O. Box 697,
Sitka, Alaska 99835. |
February: |
Jazz Festival |
Annual. Professional musicians from around
the world teach and perform. www.sitkajazzfestival.com |
March |
Artigras |
Annual. Three days of music and arts activities
and events. www.artigras.info; (907) 747-6080 |
| March/April |
Herring Run and sac roe fishery.
Timing varies, 15 Mar-15 Apr |
Spawning herring attract whales, sea lions,
birds; Intense, interesting seine fishery often
observable from shore. |
| May: |
Quilt Show - Ocean Wave
Quilters Guild |
Annual show displaying new and historic quilts.
First two weeks in May. www.abbysreflection.com; (907) 747-3510 |
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Julie Hughes Triathlon |
Annual; 5-mile run; 16-mile bike, 1000-meter swim. Kristie Totten: (907) 747-3446 |
| May/June |
Sitka Salmon Derby, king salmon; |
Memorial Day weekend, first
weekend in June; cash and prizes. Sitka Sportsman's Association: (907) 747-
6790, or write: PO Box 3030, Sitka, Alaska 99835 |
| June |
Sitka Summer Music Festival |
Three weeks of classical music concerts and
events; world renowned musicians. www.sitkamusicfestival.org |
| June/July |
Sitka Fine Arts Camp |
Middle and high school ages; music, drama and fine arts. www.fineartscamp.org |
| July |
Sitka Seafood Festival |
Celebrates wild alaskan seafood; banquet, parade, games, seafood booths, music. www.sitkaseafoodfestival.org |
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Fourth of July |
Fireworks, parade, food booths, games. www.sitkachamber.org. (907) 747-8604 |
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Alpine Adventure Run |
Challenging 7-mile mountain run. email: horan@acsalaska.net; Call Chris Horan at 747-6471, 752-0400 |
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Sitka Sound Adventure Race |
Open ocean 6-, 14- or 20-mile race, human powered craft. www.sitkaadventureracing.org |
| July/August |
Farmer's Market |
Various Saturdays June, July. Sitka grown
produce, other foods; arts and crafts vendors. www.sitkalocalfoodsnetwork.org |
| August |
Change Your Latitude |
10K, 5K, or 1K open water swim
www.changeyourlatitude.org
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| September: |
Mudball Softball Tournament |
Labor Day weekend. Teams invited from around the US to play in Sitka. www.sitkamudball.org |
| October: |
Alaska Day, October 18 |
Week long activities; parade, dress ball, reenactment of Alaska transfer from Russia to America. www.alaskadayfestival.org |
| November: |
WhaleFest! |
Three day weekend. Lectures by biologists and researchers; marine wildlife tours; concert and more, college credit available. www.sitkawhalefest.org |
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Native American Heritage Festival |
Native American Heritage Month. A wide variety of activities, including an annual fashion show. Sitka Tribe of Alaska: (907) 747-3207 www.sitkatribe.org |
| December: |
Artisans Market |
Three day weekend. Local and regional artists. Many different products. www.sitkachamber.com; (907) 747-8604 |
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