Ah Sitka, Alaska. My hometown and perhaps the most beautiful city in the world. A town of 9,000 people, Sitka is nestled along the coast of Baranof Island and backdropped by numerous jagged peaks. Turn the other way and see Sitka Sound, an archipelago of wooded islands, marine life, and Mt. Edgecumbe in the distance.
Sitka is home to a beautiful community of fisher folk, hikers, artists, writers, good bakers, and good brewers. There is tons to see on your stop over in Sitka. I wanted to help filter down the must sees from the tourist traps.
In this guide, I cover Sitka’s best shore excursions, including where to grab a bite, how best to see wildlife, what companies to use for tours, and the best hikes and walks. Here’s what I recommend when stopping at the Port of Sitka, Alaska.
Sitka: A Temperate Rainforest
Sitka is located in the heart of a temperate rainforest, which means you should come prepared for rain (like all of Southeast Alaska). The town receives nearly 120 inches of rain annually, so chances are high that you’ll encounter rain during your visit.
The classic joke goes:
Some tourists are in town for a week and it doesn’t stop raining. Desperately, they spot a boy on the street and ask him:
“Hey, does it ever stop raining here?”
He responds: “How should I know, I’m only 12!”
But don’t despair! Sitka as actually gotten sunnier in recent years.
Tips for Rainy Weather:
- Pack Smart: Bring a waterproof jacket, sturdy hiking shoes, and quick-drying layers to stay comfortable. Umbrellas are usually not recommended, since rain is seldom seen without wind.
- Stay Flexible: Most of Sitka’s attractions, like the Raptor Center and Totem Pole Park, are enjoyable rain or shine. You’ll see locals outside no matter what.
Plan Your Time in Sitka
Cruise ships typically stop in Sitka for 6–8 hours, giving you just enough time to experience the town’s highlights.
The issue is that the cruise ship dock is about 5 miles away from downtown. There is a free shuttle, but there is often a wait, and cabs can be hard to come by. I highly recommend, if you’re up for it, to rent an e-bike. Kings E-Bikes are the best and are run by a Sitka local.
Since you only have 6-8 hours, I’m only listing the things that make sense given the timeframe. If you want more information, you can head over to my The Ultimate Guide To Visiting Sitka, Alaska.
Best Things To Do in Sitka
Best Hikes and Walks in Sitka
Sitka forests are incredibly lush. It’s basically the Amazon jungle, but in a much cooler climate. There forest are filled with old-growth cedars. The Tongass National Forest is the largest national forest in the country. There are some amazing walks that you can do.
Keep an eye out for bald eagles. They’re absolutely everywhere and you’re almost guaranteed to see a few.
1. Mosquito Cove
This is an awesome trail, but it’s at the opposite end of town (from downtown). However, it’s quite near the cruise ship docks and makes for a great walk. Most of the trials walk along the ocean front, making for incredible views of Mt. Edgecumbe. You’ll likely have the place to yourself, since only locals come here.
If you’ve had enough of civilization, ditch downtown and head this way.
2. Cross Trail
The Cross Trail is an amazing trail system that runs the length of Sitka. There are numerous places to enter and exit the trail and there are always people walking. It’s possible that you’ll encounter a bear. Personally, I never bring bear spray. I don’t think it’s very necessary. Just stay aware and continue to make noise.
I’d recommend catching the trail at the Baranof Street Trailhead (right near downtown) and then walking 1.5 miles to the Indian River Trailhead. This is a beautiful segment of the trail, is well maintained, and gives you glimpses of the mountains. From there, you can either hit the raptor center, or walk through Totem Pole Park on your way back downtown. All in all, it’s about 3 miles there and back.
3. Hike part of Mount Verstovia
This is one of the best hikes in Sitka. You probably won’t have time to reach the top, but it’s about two hours up to an incredible lookout, overlooking Sitka sound. If you’re up for a good uphill, head to this trailhead.
4. Walk Totem Pole Park
Immerse yourself in Sitka’s Native heritage at this serene park, home to impressive totem poles and scenic forest paths. During berry season, you might find huckleberries and other local varieties along the trails.
Best Activities in Sitka
There’s lots to do in Sitka. The things that make sense on an 8-hour cruise departure, in my opinion, are the following:
Sitka Raptor Center
Head to the Raptor Center and check out rescued birds up close. I loved heading here as a kid. You can easily combine this with a walk in Totem Pole Park.
Fortress of the Bear
Fortress of the Bear has rescued brown bears and is definitely a cool spot to see these creatures in a naturalized habitat. You need to book ahead of time since they only allow a limited number of guests per day. However, they do offer walk-ins.
Take a Boat Tour
You need to do at least one boat tour during your cruise. Realistically, it doesn’t really matter if you do it in Sitka or another place like Ketchikan. But don’t miss out. You’ll likely see sea otters, bears, and/or whales. The captains of these boats are good at finding wildlife, since they communicate with each to alert other captains when they find something good. Book ahead of time. The two I recommend are:
- Sitka Zodiac Adventures: Sitka Zodiac is also a great company. They offer a 2.5 hour tour for $189.
- Allen Marine Tours: Allen Marine is a great company and offers wildlife cruises in Sitka sound. Many are around 4-hours in duration, making them possible for cruise ship passengers. You can book your tour with them through your cruise’s website. Prices range from $150-$225 per person.
Charter Fishing
Sitka is world-famous for its fishing. I also recommend doing this at least once while in Southeast. It’s expensive, but consider that you’ll take home your fish with you. It’s not hard to break even with the price of wild caught salmon. For more info on that, check out my guide, on charter fishing and whether charter fishing is worth it.
Book with a trusted company like Big Blue Charters. The benefit with them is that they offer a cheaper, half-day charter tailored for cruise passengers for $500 / person.
Stroll Through Sitka’s Scenic Town
I love downtown Sitka. It’s charming and right along the water, with an old Russian church in the center of town. Head downtown and explore the area for a few hours.
Walk the Docks
Enjoy a peaceful stroll along Sitka’s waterfront. The docks are also a great spot to photograph the town’s scenic harbor. Crescent Harbor is right next to the cruise ship shuttle drop off.
Visit Centennial Hall
If your visit falls on a Saturday, don’t miss the Made in Sitka Market at Centennial Hall. It’s a fantastic spot to find local crafts, handmade goods, fresh produce, and even jars of locally made wild berry jams!
You can check out upcoming events here.
Explore Old Harbor Books
This is a beautiful independent bookstore and has survived the rise of Amazon only because it is a beloved establishment to Sitka locals. It is perfect for browsing and picking up one of their famous “Don’t Drip On The Books” t-shirts.
Relax at Backdoor Café
Located behind Old Harbor Books, the Backdoor is cozy and a local favorite. It’s rough around the edges and has amazing coffee and baked goods.
Baranof Castle
Take a brief walk up to this Sitka monument. It was a defensive fort during the time when the Russians owned Alaska. There are cannons at the top and a beautiful view of Sitka sound.
Swan Lake
Swan Lake is the local lake, located in the middle of town. There’s a nice wooden platform you can sit on with amazing views of the Sitka mountains. If you’re feeling brave, you can even take a dip.
Where to Eat in Sitka
1. Brunch at WildFlour Bakery
The best breakfast in Sitka is at WildFlour Bakery! I highly recommend their avo toast, coffee, and scones!
2. Pizza at Mean Queen
Mean Queen is the go to place for delicious pizza.
3. Coffee at Fish Eye Coffee
Fish Eye Coffee is an awesome kiosk, conveniently located downtown, that serves up delicious coffee.
A Taste of Sitka’s Wild Berries
Sitka is known for its berries. During the summer months (typically July to September), you’ll find salmon berries, blueberries, and huckleberries growing along hiking trails and in parks. Salmon berries are by far my favorite. The reason you don’t find these berries elsewhere is, because they are extremely hard to ship. They’re so filled with water that they rot very quickly.
A Recommended Itinerary for Sitka
Here’s what I’d recommend that you do on your layover. This is assuming that you’re not doing a wildlife cruise or a charter fishing day.
Option 1: Avoid The Crowds
If you’re looking to just get into nature while avoiding the crowds, I would walk the opposite way towards Stargaven. I can almost gaurantee you won’t see another tourist there. It’s about a 45 minute walk each way, but hike Mosquito Cove when you get there. You’ll get beautiful views of Sitka Sound, Mt. Edgecumbe, and the Stargaven estuary.
Option 2: A Day In Sitka
If you’re interested in seeing downtown Sitka while also getting a chance to stretch your legs, I’d recommend taking the shuttle downtown and then begin your day with a walk. Begin your hike at the Baranof Street Trailhead and then walk 1.5 miles on the Sitka Cross Trail to the Indian River Trailhead. This should take about 45 minutes. From there, I’d recommend stopping at the Raptor Center and spending an hour or two there. From there, walk through Totem Pole Park on your way back downtown and stop by the beach.
Next, I’d hit WildFlour bakery for lunch (they’re open until 2pm).
Then, go explore downtown. Check out my sister’s jewelry as well! She’s a Sitka local. Spend some time at Old Harbor Books and grab yourself a coffee from Backdoor. If you feel like it, you could either go walk the Sitka bridge, take a brief walk up Baranof Castle to see the views, and then go walk around Crescent Harbor and admire the boats. From there, grab yourself some pizza from Mean Queen and head back to the cruise ship terminal.
That’s my recommendation!
Conclusion:
Sitka is one of the prettiest destinations in all of Alaska. If you plan ahead, you can spend some time and money and see the Fortress of the Bear, catch some Kings on a fishing charters, or take an Allen Marine marine wildlife tour. But you don’t have to do that to enjoy Sitka. Spend the day walking around downtown, exploring the totems at Totem Pole Park, and enjoying good coffee and food at some of Sitka’s local eateries.
