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During the summer months, when cruise ships visit Sitka, the long summer days make it impossible to see any aurora borealis. Sitka Sound is home to a wide variety of marine life, and the best way to get a closer view of local sea life is to book a boat tour. While you’re not guaranteed to see any whales, you can see seals, sea otters, porpoises, and various types of birds. If you're docked, you'll find a small terminal with several shops (souvenirs, jewelry and fur apparel) and a tent housing the Halibut Point Crab & Brews restaurant. A free shuttle service runs every 15 minutes and will drop you in town at Centennial Hall. It’s a small downtown, but not lacking in places to shop, eat, and see.
Must-Have Alaskan Cruise Tips, Tricks, and Secrets
Here’s a detailed packing list to ensure you have everything you need for a safe and memorable Alaskan cruise. Brown bears (grizzly bears) are abundant throughout Alaska, including Baranof Island and Sitka. Still, it’s a good idea to get familiar with bear behavior, so you know what to do if you encounter one.
Cruise Line Adds “Glacier Day” to Its Alaskan Cruise Itineraries
To explore further into Alaska, you can extend your cruise with a Cruisetour. Cruisetours include the finest hotel accommodations, a local dedicated Alaskan Tour Director, luxury transportation, and some activities. Most of the shopping in Sitka is along Lincoln Street, where you’ll find souvenir shops, galleries, and jewelry shops.
Second Icon-Class Ship Will Have a Furry Family Member
If your smaller ship tenders in Sitka Sound, it’s only a five-minute boat ride into town. Sitka is small, really small, and you don’t need to purchase a shore excursion from your ship to see what’s there. Sitka’s cruise season perfectly coincides with the town’s annual Music Festival, which runs for three weeks every June. Birds whose injuries are too severe become permanent “residents” that help to educate visitors.
Terminal to Downtown Shuttle
NTSB Investigation: Cruise ship strikes pier in Alaska due to navigational errors - SAFETY4SEA
NTSB Investigation: Cruise ship strikes pier in Alaska due to navigational errors.
Posted: Wed, 14 Jun 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
A charming independent bookstore offering a wide selection of books, including Alaskan literature, regional guides, and bestsellers. It is located at 201 Lincoln Street, about a 3 minute walk from Centennial Hall and while there are steps into the store, there is an alternate wheelchair accessible entrance. Yellow Jersey Cycle Shop also has rentals – both standard mountain bikes for as little as $35/day or they also have e-bikes. They will help you with proper sizing to ensure you get the most comfortable and safe ride around town and are located conveniently across from Harrigan Centennial Hall. Besides that, with the size of the city and the availability of taxi or local excursions, you really won’t need a rental car.
Sitka Dock Kicks Off 2022 Cruise Season with New Terminal, Welcomes Two Ships to Port - PR Newswire
Sitka Dock Kicks Off 2022 Cruise Season with New Terminal, Welcomes Two Ships to Port.
Posted: Thu, 12 May 2022 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Shopping In Sitka – Alaska
From the lookout at the top, there’s a beautiful view of Sitka Sound, and it’s especially stunning at sunset. A rich heritage is celebrated in Sitka with a totem pole park, cultural center and traditional dancers. Sitka, with its breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural tapestry, invites cruisers to immerse themselves in a unique Alaskan experience. Welcome to Sitka, a place where stunning natural beauty meets rich cultural history. Its a beautiful, picturesque little fishing village with Mt. Edgecomb in the background, and the harbor studded with tiny jewel-like islands.
What is the best month to visit Sitka?
Still within walking distance from downtown, at the end of Lincoln Street is Sitka National Historical Park, Alaska’s oldest national park. Over the centuries, Sitka -- one of Alaska's most exotic ports -- has reinvented itself over and over again. It's been home to the Tlingit Native Americans, an outpost of the Russian empire and the one-time capital of Alaska. Through it all, its residents have always figured out a way to get the best out of their resources.
Explore the Town of Sitka
Just make sure you keep an eye out for bears, who frequent the trail foraging for berries. This six-mile trail offers breathtaking views of Sitka Sound, Baranof Island, and Mt. Edgecumbe. Along the way, hikers will often see plenty of deer, eagles, and other wildlife scattered throughout the rainforest. Be sure to stop by the gift shop next door for some of the best seafood chowder in Alaska.
You may even see bears on the land, the skippers know where to look for them. The town is small, but there are plenty of places to shop, eat, and visit. Unlike many cruise ports, the streets aren’t crammed with 15,000 cruise passengers, and you won’t see those familiar Caribbean jewelry stores. If you plan to explore Sitka on your own, you’ll find that you can see most, if not all, of the town by just walking.
The trail is dotted with brightly colored totem poles that mirror the ones that were exhibited at the 1904 World’s Fair. The indigenous Tlingit people carved and painted the totems, which feature highly symbolic human, animal and supernatural forms. The new Terminal is sized ~3720 m2 (~40000 ft2) and houses 6x retail shops, 2x restaurants, an open-air terrace (covered), a departure point for shore excursions. The dock/pier has length 120 m (1300 ft) and can accommodate two ships with total capacity ~8000 passengers. A complimentary shuttle bus service (between the terminal and downtown) is provided via new motorcoaches (60-seater buses). Most cruise ships dock at the Old Sitka Dock at Halibut Point, 6 miles (9.7 kilometers) north of downtown and a free shuttle service transports visitors into town.
A day in port is never complete without a little bit of shopping. You won’t find the typical jewelry stores scattered throughout the Caribbean. Instead, you can visit numerous small businesses with locally made souvenirs and handcrafted artwork. The bell is a fun game locals play to spot and prank tourists and cruise visitors. “Castle Hill,” as locals refer to it, is one of Alaska’s most important historical sites. Every summer, the Sheet’ka Kwaan Naa Kahidi Dancers use the house to perform for tourists with traditional singing and drumming.
Here you’ll find masks, carvings, tools, toys, boats, and other artifacts from native Northwest Coast cultures. Today, the Bishop’s House is protected as a National Historic Landmark. Take a free guided tour to learn about the home’s art, architecture, and historical artifacts. Sitka lies on the western shore of Baranof Island along Alaska’s famous Inside Passage. The town is full of rich history, from the native Tlingit clans to a Russian Orthodox Cathedral and Bishop’s House. The Tlingit people inhabited this land long before more recent settlers.
Once on the bus, however, the ride is just about 10 minutes and gives you a nice passing view of the area. The shuttle then drops you off at the Sitka Historical Society and Museum, which is right in the heart of everything to see in Sitka. When you first visit Old Harbor Books, you will quickly notice the quaint smell of a traditional old-fashioned bookstore. The cozy interior is inviting, and the laid-back is perfect for casual shopping. After purchasing a book, don’t forget to stop by the Back Door Cafe for a coffee or pastry and unwind before heading back to the ship. Harry’s Soda Shop is located right in the heart of downtown Sitka Alaska and is a great place to pick up an afternoon ice cream.
It’s important to note that weather conditions can vary, and Sitka’s location on the coast can result in rapid weather changes. Rainfall is a common occurrence throughout the year, so it’s advisable to come prepared with rain gear when visiting. Sitka is delightfully different, curiously quirky and one of the most special places you’ll ever visit, whether on a cruise or a land-based vacation. You won’t find any Diamonds International, Del Sol or Little Switzerlands.
Your purchase will also help support the center’s mission to rescue and care for orphaned bear cubs. This area has the most tranquil trails along the water, where you can take the Totem or Russian Memorial Trails. Besides the totem poles, you will often see wildlife, including bald eagles, which nest here.
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