Kodiak, Alaska, is famous for its unique subspecies of grizzly bears called the Kodiak bear, King crab, and a rugged, breathtaking coastline. The town of Kodiak is on Chiniak Bay along Kodiak island's northeastern coast. Kodiak Island lies off the coast of Southern Alaska in what is called the Kodiak Archipelago.

The island was inhabited for some seven thousand years by the Alutiiq indigenous people. Russians claimed the island in the 1700s, and Kodiak eventually became the capital of Russian Alaska in 1793. A year later, a group of Russian Orthodox priests converted the indigenous peoples to Christianity and built a Russian Orthodox Church and Seminary. In 1867, the United States purchased Alaska from Russia. Trading in sea otter pelts boosted the area's importance for more than 100 years but nearly decimated the sea otter population, leading to a ban on otter hunting in 1911. In the late 1930s, the US Navy constructed a base on Kodiak to protect the US. About 15,000 soldiers were stationed there during WWII. Today, the US Coast Guard has a base in Kodiak. Over the years, Kodiak became a commercial fishing powerhouse. Salmon and halibut are popular catches, as is King Crab. The fleet used in the Deadliest Catch calls Kodiak home in the summer.

Kodiak Island, also nicknamed "Alaska's Emerald Isle," is a wilderness lover's paradise. The Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1941, encompasses about two-thirds of the island and is intended to protect the Kodiak brown bear, native salmon, and more than 200 species of birds. For hikers, nature photographers, and outdoor adventurers, Kodiak cannot be surpassed.

Ship Location

Cruise ships dock at Dock/Pier II, Fisherman's Terminal about a mile and a half from the center of town.

Getting Around

Shuttle busses provide passengers with transportation to and from the city center. For those who prefer to walk, Shelikof Street leads from the dock to downtown.

Attractions

Attractions

Kodiak offers something for everyone's tastes. For history buffs, explore the remains of Kodiak's WWII pill-box bunkers at Fort Abercrombie Station Park or the Military History Museum.  Learn about Kodiak's Native, Russian, and American history at the Kodiak History Museum, which until 2019 was called the Baranov Museum. See Russian cultural influence in the Holy Resurrection Orthodox (Russian) Church. While small in size, the Alutiiq Museum provides an important history of the Alutiiq indigenous people.

Optional excursions include guided wildlife sighting trips and fishing boat trips. Nearby bird rookeries house thousands of kittiwakes, and you may see puffins in the cliff faces and eagles aloft.  Hike through forests or try your hand at fishing. Enjoy eating King crab and other seafood, and breathe in the clean, fresh air.

Staying in Touch

Wi-Fi is available at McDonald's in downtown Kodiak. The A. Holmes Johnson Public Library offers free, public-access Internet computers.