Though not as well-liked because the “huge three” Alaska ports — Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway — Sitka is an journey in its personal proper. Positioned on the rugged shores of Baranof Island, Sitka is attracting extra cruise ships than ever earlier than, due to its brand-new Sitka Sound Cruise Terminal that may accommodate as much as two giant ships on the similar time.
This Pacific coastal metropolis is a nature-lover’s paradise. Dwelling to the Alaska Raptor Heart and the Fortress of the Bear, it offers perception into Alaska’s wildlife in a approach that different ports of name cannot match.
Sitka has one thing else that different ports in Southeast Alaska lack: a powerful Russian historical past. The settlement was underneath Russian management from 1799 to 1867, when it was often called New Archangel. When Russia offered Alaska to the U.S. for $7.2 million in 1867, the switch ceremony marking the Alaska Buy came about right here.
Now, Sitka gives an interesting mixture of Tlingit (pronounced kling-it) historical past, Russian affect and Americana that’s distinctive in southeast Alaska. Mix that with its unimaginable nature, wildlife and surroundings, and Sitka makes an ideal addition to any Alaska cruise itinerary.
Issues TPG loves about Sitka
- It is house to Southeast Alaska’s solely Russian-Orthodox structure.
- There’s considerable nature at your fingertips.
- The small city has loads of outlets and eating places.
What we may do with out
- The cruise pier is a distance from city, and shuttle wait occasions might be lengthy throughout peak intervals.
Sitka quick details
- Language: English is the official language.
- Forex: The U.S. greenback is used for all purchases in Sitka.
- Time zone: Sitka is within the Alaska Time Zone (GMT-8), one hour behind Pacific Commonplace Time and 4 hours behind Japanese Commonplace Time.
Arrival particulars
Whereas some small ships nonetheless anchor out within the bay and tender passengers into the guts of Sitka’s downtown, most cruise passengers will discover themselves docked on the Sitka Sound Cruise Terminal, roughly 6 miles northwest of downtown Sitka. Complimentary shuttle buses whisk passengers into city, however when two ships are in port on the similar time, strains can get prolonged. The truth is, passengers should now reserve their shuttle to city upfront, although no reservations are required to return to the pier from Sitka. Upgrades to the brand new terminal had been made in 2020 and 2021, and the brand new facility boasts outlets, eating places, bars and data proper on the pier.
Passengers on shore excursions will get picked up from and returned to the cruise terminal, until in any other case specified.
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Prime issues to do in Sitka cruise port
By far, the most well-liked issues to do in Sitka revolve round nature. The Alaska Raptor Heart is an interesting rehabilitation, schooling and analysis middle that’s a simple 30-minute stroll from downtown and is included on many Sitka shore excursions. For those who go independently, plan to spend at the very least an hour right here (perhaps extra when you have bird-obsessed little ones in tow).
The opposite main attraction in Sitka is the Fortress of the Bear, a rescue sanctuary for orphaned bears. Opened in 2007, the middle’s mission is to take care of bears orphaned as cubs, deliver them again to well being and supply the animals with lengthy lives which will embody eventual launch into the wild along with the Alaska Division of Fish and Recreation. When you can go to independently, reserving as a part of a cruise line shore tour is really useful as a result of lengthy wait occasions, notably on busy ship days.
Kayaking can be a well-liked pastime in Sitka, due to the pristine waters that run close to the town and its outer islands.
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Common Sitka shore excursions
For those who’re into out of doors adventures, Sitka is the place you wish to severely take into account for a extra lively tour. There’s an abundance of improbable shore excursions to take part in right here, from wildlife viewing to kayaking to fly fishing, rafting and even guided hikes.
Siginaka Islands cruise and kayak journey
This 90-minute kayak session gives the prospect to see ocean wildlife up shut from the consolation of ocean kayaks that may seat two individuals. The Siginaka Islands make the proper location for this journey, with quite a few slender passages and calm ocean currents, permitting you to simply drift or paddle alongside and benefit from the sights.
Fortress of the Bear
Cruise strains provide quite a lot of totally different excursions to the Fortress of the Bear, which is, on many Alaska cruises, the one assured alternative to see bears. These journeys to the Fortress of the Bear rehabilitation middle promote out on practically each cruise, so reserving upfront is important.
Alaska Raptor Heart and cultural discovery
Like Fortress of the Bear, journeys to the Alaska Raptor Heart are a few of the first shore excursions to vanish. Common with households, this tour usually additionally features a panoramic drive, a guided go to to the Alaska Raptor Heart and a cultural efficiency by the Alaska Storyteller Dancers.
Wildlife Quest and Fin Island Lodge
One among a number of excursions that embody a go to to Fin Island Lodge in Sitka Sound, this tour is well-liked for its wildlife cruise, which gives an opportunity to see whales, sea otters and even distant brown bears. Coming ashore on the lodge, company can stroll the shoreline or sit by the hearth earlier than having fun with a meal of Alaskan crab, freshly caught fish, prime rib and dessert earlier than returning on their tour boat to the cruise pier.
The way to get round Sitka by yourself
- On foot: As soon as the cruise shuttle drops you on the town, you possibly can simply discover a lot of downtown on foot.
- Taxi: Whereas taxi companies can be found in Sitka, they are often troublesome to search out with out reserving upfront. Use the cruise ship shuttle to take you into downtown, or e-book an tour if you happen to’re considering venturing farther out.
- Bike or scooter: A handful of motorbike and e-bike rental outlets can be found in Sitka.
- Automobile: Automobile leases aren’t broadly accessible in Sitka, however you will not have a lot want for a non-public automobile right here.
Sitka eating places close to the cruise pier
You do not have to enterprise far out of your ship for a chunk to eat as a result of there are a handful of eating places on the Sitka Sound Cruise Terminal. These embody Halibut Level Crab and Chowder, which sells domestically sourced Dungeness crab, and the Wheelhouse Pub, which serves up chilly Alaskan brews alongside pub-style Alaskan meals and seafood.
On the town, the Bayview Pub on Lincoln Road is a long-standing favourite that overlooks the internal harbor and serves up stable pub-style meals and loads of native beers.
Imply Queen on Harbor Drive additionally overlooks Sitka’s internal harbor and serves an enormous menu of favorites from 8 a.m. till 2 a.m. every day.
A number of the finest pizza we have ever eaten has been at Harbor Mountain Brewing Firm. It is a few 30-minute stroll from downtown, previous the Sitka Nationwide Historic Park, and has a Campfire Kitchen Pizza tucked away inside it. Order a pint and settle in — these pizzas take time however are definitely worth the wait.
For an genuine Alaskan bar expertise, hit up the Pioneer Bar on Katlian Road, simply previous the Sitka Pioneer Dwelling. It isn’t as tough because it seems, and it is well-liked with each locals and vacationers alike.
Or for one thing totally different, pop by Sitka Pel’Meni for a style of Russian dumplings in homage to the city’s lengthy Russian historical past.
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Sitka dishes to attempt
When in Alaska, the phrase of the day is seafood. Ask if something is domestically caught or in season; seafood or salmon chowders are all the time a superb selection in Sitka, as is crab. Regionally brewed beers are a superb option to pair with any meal. It is also robust to go unsuitable with burgers and pizza.
Sitka cruise port buying
Downtown Sitka can cater to all of your buying wants, with shops that vary from giant multinational companies to native, independently run outlets. So when you’ll discover the likes of Diamonds Worldwide in Sitka — ubiquitous throughout Alaska — you will additionally discover native wares, too.
Retailers are on and close to Lincoln Road, which runs the size of downtown. There are positive artwork galleries, shops specializing in native Tlingit tradition and reward outlets that supply commonplace items like T-shirts, salmon, Ulu knives and different wares.
Sitka does have a improbable bookstore (Previous Harbor Books) on Lincoln Road with a wonderful native curiosity part, whereas extra sensible outlets like Russell’s (additionally on Lincoln) provide out of doors gear for individuals who could have to improve their outerwear for Alaska’s liquid sunshine.
Free issues to do in Sitka cruise port
Though cruise strains provide excursions that discover the pristine forest of the Sitka Nationwide Historic Park, there is no cause you possibly can’t go to by yourself. A leisurely stroll from downtown takes you into the guts of the park, which incorporates the customer middle and a Tlingit totem pole.
It is also totally free to stroll round downtown and take within the sights, such because the Russian Bishop’s Home, St. Michael the Archangel Orthodox Cathedral and Baranof Citadel State Historic Website.
Households ought to hit the wonderful Neighborhood Children Playground on Lincoln Road, a few 10-minute stroll previous the Russian Bishop’s Home, subsequent to the Sitka Sound Science Heart.
Backside line
Sitka is a wonderful port of name that gives some spectacular tour choices you will not see elsewhere in Alaska. Whereas the cruise pier is a distance from city, correct planning could make your day right here one to recollect.