Cruise Port Essentials: Exploring Sitka

Weather & the best time to visit

The best time to visit is May–September. You’ll find milder weather (highs are mid 50s-low 60s, to lows in the low 50s-upper 40s) and longer daylight hours.

Layers and comfortable waterproof shoes are always smart, and since Sitka is wet year-round with frequent rain and mist, bringing along some rain wear is always a good idea.

Getting around Sitka

• Transportation: Cruise ships either berth at a pier outside of town or offshore with tenders. If outside of town, free land shuttles are provided.

• Public transit system: “The RIDE” operates on weekdays, 6:30 am–7:30 pm. It includes three routes covering Halibut Point Road, Japonski Island, and Sawmill Creek. Fares are $2 for adults, $1 for seniors/children, and free for kids under six.

• Taxis and tour vans: Taxis and tour vans are widely available, but it’s always a good idea to call ahead due to the large number of cruise tourists that arrive daily.

• Biking: Stika is very bike-friendly, and you have a lot of trail options. The Sitka Cross Trail is a multi-use trail on the edge of town that takes you through beautiful forests and wetlands. There are also a single-track and highway biking options. Mountain bikes, road bikes, and e-bikes are available for rent at numerous outfitters. You can ask for a Sitka Bike Map for route information.

• Walking: Downtown is very walkable, and several hiking trails are also close by. You can pick up a map at the Stika Visitors Information Center, which offers a walking tour highlighting the city’s history and culture.

• Shuttle services: Free shore shuttles usually run between the pier / tender dock and downtown every 10–15 minutes. Shuttles will drop you off at Harrigan Centennial Hall by the waterfront, and you can easily walk from there. Take a picture of the shuttle schedule so you have it with you for return information.

• Excursion transportation: All booked excursions will provide transportation to your chosen booking.

Accessibility

Most of the shuttles are wheelchair accessible, but always check ahead of time with your cruise line. Many of the main areas in downtown Stika have sidewalks but are uneven in places. Also, many historic buildings have steps and narrow entrances.

Sitka National Historical Park has paved trails and wheelchair-accessible restrooms. It is the most wheelchair-friendly outdoor site.

Most shops and restaurants are ground-level, but some have steps and narrow doorways. Sidewalks along the waterfront and around major downtown attractions like the Visitor Center and Cathedral are wheelchair and scooter friendly.

Always check the accessibility on any excursion you are interested in and make sure they can accommodate your needs.

Local cuisine

Stika is known for its fresh seafood and seasonal food sourcing. Popular restaurants fill up quickly, so head in early to make sure you get a good table. Here are a few top recommendations.

• Ludvig’s Bistro: Ludvig’s Bistro is a rustic Mediterranean restaurant with seafood dishes and a cozy atmosphere. They honor seasonal ingredients, crafting dishes that tell a story. Ludvig’s Bistro is a foodie haven where culinary enthusiasts and casual diners can both savor a delicious meal.

• Beak Restaurant: Beak provides a taste of the southeast Alaskan lifestyle. They specialize in high-quality local seafood as well as local Alaskan-sourced food. The chef was a James Beard finalist in the Pacific NW region, and Beak was featured on the show From Scratch.

• Halibut Point Crab & Chowder: Halibut Point Crab & Chowder is conveniently located right next to the ship’s pier and serves fresh-caught Dungeness crab, King crab, and other seafood and non-seafood dishes. The “secret family recipe” chowder is a must-try.

• Sitka WildFlour Cafe & Bakery: WildFlour Cafe & Bakery is a casual cafe with a focus on fresh, healthy cuisine, paired with locally roasted coffee and freshly baked French-style pastries.

• Sika Pel’Meni: “The Original Alaskan Dumpling.” Pel'Meni has served Russian Dumplings in Alaska for over 20 years. Try the beef and potato dumplings. You can try Traditional Style or the famous Alaskan Style—you won't be disappointed either way.

Sitka has everything from classic saloons, waterfront bars to a small local brewery where you can feel like a local, have a drink, and relax.

• Harbor Mountain Brewing: When visiting Sitka, you can’t miss this hometown favorite. It’s a short drive from town, and they offer a rotating list of simple yet expressive brews, and whatever your style is, they have a beer for you. Using local flavors, they aim for simplicity and balance. For non-beer drinkers, they offer some fizzy drinks, as well as hot cocoa and hot tea. They offer snacks and pizza from Campfire Kitchen.

• Bayview Pub: Bayview Pub is known for fresh-caught seafood and top craft beers from the Pacific NW and Alaska. It’s a great spot to catch the latest game or play a round of darts. The pub offers pool tables, shuffleboard, darts, and all your favorite sports on the numerous TVs throughout the restaurant.

• Ernie’s Old Time Saloon: Ernie’s Old Time Saloon is a great place to stop in for your favorite beverage. You’ll also find bar snacks, pool and darts, at a great Alaskan old-time saloon. (Important note: Only cash is accepted here.)

Shopping

Sitka's downtown shopping focuses on local, authentic items, not your usual tourist fare.

• Winter Song Soap Company: Natural Alaskan-inspired soaps, salves, lotions, body butters and bath salts handmade from local plants.

• Fate Accompli Gallery & Gifts: Locally designed and crafted artwork, jewelry, apparel, soaps, salves, ornaments, and more.

• Alaska Pure Sea Salt Co: Alaska Pure Sea Salt Co, carries handcrafted salts from the waters surrounding Sitka. Their salts begin as seawater, and they are turned into flake sea salt, flavored salt, and salt accessories.

• Baranof Sitka Jewelers: Alaskan-owned and operated; they have a large selection of gold quartz, Alaskan gold nuggets, as well as other gemstones. They offer a large array of stunning jewelry.

Things to do in Sitka

Wildlife viewing

You can choose from a few different wildlife viewing tours in Sitka. You can choose an excursion by land or by sea. The boat captains and tour guides are experienced guides that bring you up close and personal with many of the area's magnificent creatures. You may see sea otters, whales, harbor seals, Stellar sea lions, puffins, bald eagles, and possibly even a brown bear.

Most boats and land tours are wheelchair accessible, but make sure that you check beforehand because some may only be able to accommodate people with limited mobility, not wheelchairs, and some of the inflatable /smaller boats are not recommended for people in wheelchairs or with limited mobility. Please note that wildlife sightings are likely but are not guaranteed.

Alaska Raptor Center

The Alaska Raptor Center is a wildlife refuge and rehabilitation center for injured raptors. It has a full-service Avian Hospital, a state-of-the-art Bald Eagle Flight Training Center, and it offers interactive presentations with glove trained raptors. It’s home to 20 resident birds, including bald and golden eagles, owls, hawks, and falcons. You can observe raptors in their outdoor habitats and watch their rehabilitation process. It’s a great way to learn about and enjoy these majestic birds up close. There is wheelchair access to most areas, including viewing decks and restrooms.

Fortress of the Bear

Fortress of the Bear is a rescue and education center for orphaned brown and black bear cubs in Southeast Alaska. It’s a three-quarter acre natural enclosure where you can observe bears from a large, covered viewing platform just 25 feet away. You can watch bears play, swim, eat, and interact in a safe, natural setting. Naturalists provide engaging, adult and kid-friendly education about bears’ behavior and conservation. This excursion is popular with families, offering a close-up wildlife encounter and educational presentation. The facility is wheelchair accessible, including the viewing areas, although some terrain may be uneven.

For those looking for some adventure

Sheet’ká Treetop Aerial Ropes Adventure

This guided aerial ropes course takes place high in the forest canopy near Sitka, offering 25 elements in a progressive series of rope bridges, balance elements, and climbing challenges. It’s designed to test your agility, courage, and coordination—all while surrounded by stunning Alaskan rainforest scenery.

• Note: There are height and weight requirements, so check those before booking. This excursion is not wheelchair-accessible.

The Pacific Ocean Thrill Ride / Volcano coast exploration adventure

The Pacific Ocean Thrill Ride in Sitka is a high-speed ocean rafting adventure that explores the volcanic coastline of Kruzof Island, offering adrenaline-pumping fun and close-up wildlife viewing. You’ll board a specially designed ocean raft with open-air straddle seating and zip across Sitka Sound at speeds up to 50 mph. You’ll have the potential opportunity to see whales, sea otters, Steller sea lions, sea birds, brown bears, and Sitka black-tail deer—from the raft.

• Note: Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed. There are age, height, and weight requirements, and you must be able to straddle a seat and hold on securely, so check the requirements thoroughly before booking. This excursion is not wheelchair-accessible.

If you are looking for more leisure excursions

For foodies, Sitka offers tours that allow you to savor a variety of local dishes while exploring the town’s growing food scene. Depending on the season, you can expect to taste Sitka Sound seafood, Alaskan staples, oysters, classic Russian dumplings, locally crafted beer, reindeer sausage, and sweet treats.

If craft beers are more your style, they offer a pedal and pub crawl that takes you through the town while stopping to taste several locally crafted beers. (You must be 21 to participate and be able to help pedal a 15-passenger bike.)

Sitka is also great for sightseeing. Sitka offers a rich mix of cultural, historical, and natural sightseeing. A few popular stops would include Sitka Totem Park, St. Michael’s Russian Orthodox Cathedral, Russian Bishop’s House, Sheet’ká Kwaán Naa Kahídi Tribal Community House, and Sitka National Historical Park.

As you can see, Sitka has something to offer everyone. This is just a sampling of the many activities and adventures that it has to offer. You can have a wonderful day just walking through the quaint fishing town, enjoying the magnificent scenery of Tongass National Forest, eating at local restaurants, kayaking, visiting bears or raptors, or taking a thrilling ocean raft ride that explores the volcanic coastline.

Sitka has so much to offer—you can truly have a multitude of once-in-a-lifetime experiences here.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Alaska page.