Kodiak, Alaska

Kodiak Island is famous for huge Kodiak brown bears, world-class sport fishing, one of the largest commercial fishing ports in the nation, and the magnificent green color of the island in the summer–which is why Kodiak is affectionately called Alaska’s Emerald Isle. Kodiak is a thriving business community, a transportation hub for southwest Alaska and the ideal Alaska vacation destination.

The Kodiak Island Borough, with a population of 13,900 persons includes the city of Kodiak, seven villages, a U.S. Coast Guard Base, plus several backcountry camps and lodges.

The city of Kodiak is a modern city providing comfortable accomodations from which visitors can enjoy a truly unique Alaskan experience. The city of Kodiak sits on the northeastern tip of Kodiak Island in the Gulf of Alaska at the crossroads of the most productive fishing grounds in the world. The Port of Kodiak is Alaska’s largest fishing port and homeport to more than 700 commercial fishing vessels while serving several hundred outside vessels each year.

Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge

The city of Kodiak is the gateway to the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge that makes up the southern 2/3 of Kodiak Island. Visitors can enjoy bear, bird, seal, and other wildlife viewing as well as hiking, boating, and other outdoor activities.

Kodiak Bears

Bear Viewing 

Kodiak Island is home to the Kodiak brown bear species, and there are over 2,300 of these magnificent animals on Kodiak Island. Visitors come from around the world to take special bear viewing tours that are offered by experienced professional operators. Operators offer half-day, full-day, and multi-day tours. Learn more on our bear viewing page and contact our office for details.

Bird Viewing

Kodiak offers amazing opportunities for bird viewing, thanks to the mild climate and plentiful food supply for birds. Bird watching opportunities are excellent year-round. Over 200 bird species have been identified in the archipelago. Common birds include: fox sparrows, golden-crowned sparrows, Wilson’s warblers, golden-crowned kinglets, winter wrens, pine siskins, water pipits, and rock and willow ptarmigan. Eagles are seen in abundance throughout the area. Sea birds and ducks are seemingly everywhere including Steller’s and king eider, oldsquaw, harlequin ducks, horned and tufted puffins and black-legged kittiwakes.

Fishing

Situated at the crossroads of the world’s most productive commercial fishing grounds, the Kodiak area offers sport fishing of unparalleled abundance and variety. Huge halibut, feisty rainbow trout, steelhead, Dolly Varden and all five salmon species are found in Kodiak waters.

Kodiak Maritime Museum

Alaska has one of the top fishing industries in the world, and is famous for its seafood. The Kodiak Maritime Museum preserves and showcases the history of Alaska’s commercial fishing industry and Alaska’s brave fishermen with numerous exhibits and programs.

Alaska Native Heritage and Culture

The Alutiiq Museum features displays, galleries and exhibits of Alutiiq heritage. Kodiak Tribal Council’s Barabara Sod House is an authentic Alutiiq dwelling that features presentations of Alutiiq dancing.

Kodiak Russian Orthodox Church

Russian Heritage

The Russians colonized Kodiak Island in the 1700’s, and the area was an important fur-trading outpost. The Baranov Museum has many interesting exhibits about Kodiak’s Russian heritage. The Holy Resurrection Russian Orthodox Church houses the reliquary of St. Herman, who was canonized at the church in 1970. Nearby are St. Herman’s Theological Seminary, the Veniaminov Museum and a log chapel commemorating the bicentennial of the Orthodox Church of America in 1994.

Access: Scheduled commercial aircraft, air taxi and charter service, Alaska Marine Highway Ferry System from Homer and Whittier.

Location: The City of Kodiak is located near the northeastern tip of Kodiak Island in the Gulf of Alaska, 252 air miles south of Anchorage.

Population: 6,088.

Accommodations: Four hotels/motels (200+ rooms), 22 bed and breakfasts; 15 restaurants (seating for 700). Food, all conveniences, most supplies, shops.

External Liink:Kodiak Visitor Bureau and Chamber of Commerce official website.