FISHERMAN'S QUAY SITKA, ALASKA
FISHERMAN'S QUAY
FAQ

Questions guests actually ask

What is there to do in Sitka besides fish?

Charters, wildlife, trails, museums and the practical stuff. Every operator here is one we'd send our own family to. Anything on this list we can help you arrange, ask — Jake lives on site and knows who is running well this season. Call him at 907-747-8344.

Marine wildlife viewing

Whales, sea otters, eagles and the islands of Sitka Sound, by small boat.

Kayaks, bikes & boats

Start with what's already on the dock — the Quay fleets are free to guests.

  • Fisherman's Quay kayak & canoe fleet

    Singles, tandems and Raptors (stable fishing kayaks). Free to guests, first come first served. Life vests provided.

  • Fisherman's Quay bike fleet

    Large-capacity panniers for groceries, gear and trailheads. Free to guests.

  • Sitka Self Charters(907) 738-9090Website ↗

    18' Hewescraft with outboard, day rental.

  • Yellow Jersey Cycle(907) 747-6317Website ↗

    Bike rental and repair in town.

Paddle board tours

Guided paddle boarding on the sheltered water around the Quay and Sitka Sound.

Gym & Spa services

Massage, bodywork and a full gym in town — worth booking ahead after a long day on the water.

Hiking & trails

Rainforest, muskeg and alpine, most of it within the 14-mile road system.

  • Sitka Trail WorksWebsite ↗

    Trail information plus scheduled community hikes — all welcome.

  • US Forest Service — TongassWebsite ↗

    Forest Service trails for hiking, biking, backpacking and cabin stays.

  • From downtown, on foot

    Sitka National Historical Park (Totem Park), Gavin Hill, Indian River, Raptor Center, Cross Trail.

  • South, by car, bike or bus

    Beaver Lake (hike and swim), Thimbleberry/Heart Lake, Herring Cove–Beaver Lake, Verstovia, Arrowhead Peak (GPS or a guide strongly recommended).

  • North, by car, bike or bus

    Harbor Mountain, Harbor Mountain to Gavin Hill, Muskeg trail, Starrigavan Estuary, Mosquito Cove.

  • Fort Rousseau State Historical Park

    WWII installations, reachable by boat only — a must-do straight from the Quay dock.

Flightseeing & air taxi

Floatplanes off the channel, and the way in and out of the remote country.

Culture & history

Tlingít, Russian and American Sitka, all within walking distance downtown.

More cool stuff for adults and kids
  • Alaska Raptor CenterWebsite ↗

    Programs on bald eagles and other raptors, and rehabilitation birds up close in the mews.

  • Fortress of the BearWebsite ↗

    Grizzly cub rescue centre, also home to the Sawmill farm.

  • Sitka Sound Science CenterWebsite ↗

    Aquarium and hatchery; the ecosystems of the Gulf of Alaska explained.

  • Sitka Ocean Raft Adventures & ATV toursWebsite ↗

    Sitka Sound's volcanic geology by open ocean raft, or Kruzof Island by ATV. Not for the faint of heart.

  • Walk the harbours

    Sitka has more harbour space than any other town in southeast Alaska, and all five harbours have open access. Stroll the floats day or night.

  • Old Harbor Books & the Back Door

    Lincoln Street. Deep Alaskana section and a coffee shop behind it; John Straley's Sitka-set mysteries are on the shelf.

  • Pick berries, May through September

    Salmonberries, blueberries, huckleberries, thimbleberries and cranberries along the road and trail system. Bring a bucket, a field guide, and bear awareness.

  • Change Your LatitudeWebsite ↗

    Open water swim event, the first part of August each year.

  • Excursions North

    Open water swimming in Sitka Sound — yes, really.

  • Sitka Public Library

    Good source for books about Sitka and Alaska, though the view of Crescent Bay and the mountains beyond may command all your attention instead.

Practical matters

Gear, groceries, licences and what the weather will actually do.

  • LFS(907) 747-3171

    Licences, tackle, gear and raingear — the Quay's anchor tenant, downstairs from the lodging.

  • Sitka Fresh Retail(907) 747-2001

    A two-minute walk south on Katlian at the North Pacific Seafoods plant. Halibut, king, coho and sockeye salmon, Dungeness crab, black cod, ling cod, scallops, shrimp and chum caviar. Phone orders and curbside pick-up.

  • Alaska Fish and GameWebsite ↗

    Chart of our area showing where and what fish are available.

  • Dressing for the weather

    Expect some combination of glorious sunshine, drizzly overcast and pouring rain. A serious raincoat, rain hat and waterproof footwear are essential; lightweight rain pants are a good idea. Dress in light layers and skip the polar jacket — a long-sleeved shirt and light sweater under a windbreaker covers most situations.

  • Bugs, Devil's Club and bearsWebsite ↗

    Mosquitoes and no-see-ums rarely trouble you in town but carry repellent for rest stops. Don't grab Devil's Club as a handhold, and don't eat its red berries raw. Brown bears use local trails and occasionally the streets — learn how to avoid confrontations and go enjoy the outdoors anyway.

  • Community calendarWebsite ↗

    KCAW Raven Radio keeps the local listings; Old Harbor Books, the post office and grocery bulletin boards carry the rest.

Getting around

Given how central the Quay is, you may not need a car for the whole stay.

What companies do fishing charters in town?

Salmon, halibut and other saltwater species. Most of these captains will pick you up at the Quay dock.

Can I process and freeze my catch on site?

Yes, at no charge. The processing facility includes a fillet station, vacuum packer and freezers. You can also have your catch commercially processed through your charter service.

What should I pack for Sitka weather?

A serious raincoat, rain hat and waterproof footwear are essential, plus light layers and a good-sized rain-resistant daypack. Lightweight rain pants are a good idea. Skip the polar jacket. LFS, our anchor tenant downstairs, is well stocked with raingear if you would rather see what the locals use.

Where is Fisherman's Quay located in Sitka?

475 A Katlian Street, in Sitka's working fishing district. Downtown is a five-minute walk south along historic Katlian Street, past Ludwig's Bistro and the legendary Pioneer Bar. Lakeside Grocery is a short walk north.

How many people can you accommodate?

The Loft sleeps up to 10, the North Bunkhouse up to 10 and the South Bunkhouse up to 8. The North and South Bunkhouses connect by an interior doorway, so groups of up to 18 can book both and use the Quay as a single staging area.

Are the kayaks and bikes really free for guests?

Yes. The kayak and canoe fleet — singles, tandems and stable Raptor fishing kayaks — and the bicycle fleet with large-capacity panniers are free to lodging guests on a first come, first served basis. Life vests are required on the water and provided.

Is there another washer/dryer I can use?

Yes. It is located in the Wood Shop which is in the same building as the Bunkhouses. Send Jake a text and he can get you set up, or if the door to the Wood Shop is open Chaz is likely there and can also assist.

Can a charter boat pick me up at the dock?

Yes. Sport charter boats can pick you up directly from the Fisherman's Quay marina and drop you back at the private dock afterward. Several of the operators in our activities guide do this routinely.

Do I need a rental car in Sitka?

Often not. The Quay is central and guests have free use of the bicycle fleet. Sitka's road system is 14 miles long, so a car for a single day or a taxi covers the far ends and Harbor Mountain.

Is smoking permitted?

No. Smoking is not permitted anywhere on the Fisherman's Quay facility, including the outside dock area and marina.

Are there bears?

The greater Sitka area is brown bear territory. At a minimum we recommend you carry bear mace when you hit the trails. You can also get current updates on the Sitka Bear Report that lives on Facebook.

Still stuck?

Jake lives on site and is happy to help. Send him a text and he will get back to you as soon as he can.

Text Jake 907-321-7020