It is the most accessible and developed area of Southwest Alaska, but at the same time it is the undisputed kingdom of bears. The Kodiak archipelago, where Kodiak Island constitutes three-quarters of the total land area, surrounded by 16 other islands and several smaller islets, extends for an arc of almost 180 miles in the Gulf of Alaska.
What makes this place famous are the Kodiak Bears, the largest subspecies of brown bear in the world, and fishing. There is no shortage of salmon in Alaska, but the coasts of the archipelago have the highest volume in the state from this point of view and for this reason, the port of Kodiak is one of the most well-stocked with fishing boats in the state.
In addition to the terrestrial and marine fauna, which in itself offers excellent reasons to visit, there are also cultural aspects. Here are preserved some of the main Russian legacies of Alaska, as well as the traditions of the native Alutiiq people, who originated in the archipelago.
A fun fact is that since 2014, the energy needs of the island have been 99.7% met by renewable sources (wind and hydro). A record that came after years in which the island was a real laboratory for renewable energy.
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How to get there
Kodiak Island is easily accessible. There are several options, starting from Anchorage and other mainland areas, such as the Kenai Peninsula or Prince William Sound.
- By Air. The fastest way to reach the islands, as well as many inland areas in Alaska, is by air. Kodiak Airport is connected to Anchorage by Alaska Airlines and Ravn Alaska aircraft. In addition, Island Air Service and Servant Air offer service to many of the islands and in the summer to Homer.
- By Ship. Kodiak Island is well connected to the mainland by ferries of the Alaska Marine Highway System with three ports: Kodiak, Port Lions and Old Harbor. You can reach it from Homer or Whittier. It can also be reached by long-haul ferries, arriving from the east by the Inside Passage, or from the west by the Aleutian Islands.
- By Car. If you’re traveling by car (or if you have a rental car), you can take your car on a ferry for use on the island. However, depending on how many days you have available, consider whether this is worth the expense.
Best Time to Visit Kodiad Island
This archipelago has one of the most livable climates of all Alaska. The sea mitigates the temperatures a lot and so there are no big differences in temperature as we find on the mainland. Remember that we are still in one of the coldest states in the world, so the average temperature is still fairly low.
Summer is the best time to visit Kodiak Island. July and August, the hottest months, have an average maximum daytime temperature of 61° F and a minimum night-time temperature of 48° F. June and September are usually colder than July and August.
Winter is not as cold as in other areas: the coldest month is January and the average maximum is 34/35° F, while the average minimum is -25° F. December and February are usually warmer than January.
Rainfall is fairly regular throughout the year. The nearly 78 inches of annual rainfall is distributed over about 15-16 days per month. July and August are the driest months, while the wettest are October, December and January. In the winter season, however, there is also some snow.
Things to do in Kodiak Island
Kodiak Island is not only the main island of the archipelago, but it is also the largest island in Alaska and the second largest in the USA after Big Island in Hawaii. The town of the same name, Kodiak, is a center with just over 6,000 inhabitants that bases the bulk of its livelihood on fishing. It is the ideal point of reference for any visit to the island: not only does it contain most of the historical and cultural points of interest, but the 100 miles of roads that allow you to move around the island by car branch off from here.
The ideal place to start your visit is the Kodiak Island Convention & Visitors Bureau (100 Marine Way), where you can get all kinds of information on things to see and activities to do in the archipelago. Moored among the numerous fishing boats, not far from the visitors’ center, the Star of Kodiak, the last American Liberty class ship built during the Second World War, does not go unnoticed.
Museums and Churches
The Russian past of Alaska is well testified in Kodiak, where churches and museums tell their story. To discover it at its best, you can’t miss a visit to the Baranov Museum (101 Marine Way): the oldest Russian building in the United States, dating back to 1808. It was originally a place to store otter skins, but today it houses a large collection of artifacts from the time when Alaska was dependent on Moscow.
One block further on, we find the Holy Resurrection (385 Kashavarof Street), an Orthodox church with blue domes and preciously decorated interiors, which make it one of the main artistic-architectural beauties of Alaska. Also belonging to the Christian Orthodox church is St. Herman Theological Seminary (414 Mission Road): one of only three Russian Orthodox seminaries in the United States.
The island’s location made it ideal as a wartime military outpost. A testament to that today is the military museum located at Fort Abercrombie State Historical Park (1400 Abercrombie Drive). The old concrete bunkers will not please everyone, but the view that you have from here over the sea is a sure winner. Here, it is not uncommon to spot some whales splashing on the surface of the water.
Before the arrival of the Russian settlers, this land belonged to the Alutiiq people. Not to be missed, if you are in Kodiak, a visit to the Alutiiq Museum and Archaeological Repository (215 Mission Road). More than 100,000 objects narrate the customs and traditions of this and other Eskimo peoples, some of which are very particular, such as the parkas made with seal entrails.
Kodiak Island Bear Watching
Today the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge is one of the most interesting natural parks in Alaska. With its 800,000 hectares of wilderness, it occupies a large portion of the island, as well as part of Afognak Island and the islands of Uganik and Ban. It is the home of over 3000 Kodiak bears, an endemic species of the archipelago, which are distinguished for being the largest brown bears in the world, competing in size only with polar bears. The males of this breed can exceed 10 feet in height (standing on their hind legs) and reach 1200 lb in weight.
Due to their high numbers, the bears are very easy to find, especially in the summer, during the salmon migration. While this fact facilitates the sightings, it also makes the visit to the natural park dangerous and it is not recommended to venture there on your own. At the Kodiak National Wildlife Visitor Center (402 Center Avenue), you can learn all about these animals in the museum portion of the center and book a tour with local guides. Some tours take you through the woods on an ATV, others take you in a small seaplane, so there’s something for everyone.
Kodiak Island Tours, Fishing and Events
Kodiak is not just about bears. There are many other wild animals waiting to be seen and photographed or, in the case of fish, maybe even caught and tasted. Kodiak Island is among the best equipped Alaskan regions for tourists who want to try different experiences in nature.
From fishing trips, both on the river and in the sea, to airplane tours to discover the various islands, from whale watching for whale lovers to detailed guided tours of the island to discover every secret of the cultures and wildlife that inhabit it. You can rent a kayak to explore the coastline or a quad bike to take yourself into the most concealed meanderings of the interior. This page summarizes all the offers on the island that will satisfy the tastes of all visitors.
Kodiak is also home to interesting events that animate it throughout the year. In March there is ComFish Alaska, with exhibitions, games and activities related to fishing. In April the focus is on the gray whales that return to these seas in spring, thanks to the Kodiak Whale Fest, while the Kodiak Crab Fest in May is (obviously) dedicated to crabs. August is an interesting month from the cultural point of view: every year the Warm August Night animates the city with musical and culinary events, but above all on August 9 every year the Russian Orthodox celebrate Saint Herman with a pilgrimage to the Monks’ Lagoon on Spruce Island. September is the month of the Kodiak Rodeo & State Fair, held every year on Labor Day weekend, while in October there is the Run The Rock Marathon: a decidedly challenging marathon and half marathon.
Smaller Islands
Although Kodiak is the largest and most relevant island, the archipelago holds other treasures. Spruce Island, easily reached by ferries that land at the port of Ouzinkie, is interesting. On this and on the less reachable St.Nilus Island, there are communities of Russian Orthodox monks. The August 9 pilgrimage to the island is one of the most interesting religious experiences you can have in Alaska.
Shuyak Island State Park
Shuyak Island is one of the northernmost islands in the archipelago and is almost completely protected under the name of Shuyak Island State Park. The island is unique in its kind as there is a very particular coastal forest system: in fact, it contains only one species of tree, the Sitka spruce. The island is also interesting from a naturalistic point of view for its wealth of fauna, mostly birds and marine animals, which inhabit its jagged coastline.
Deer and bears are some of the few mammals of the mainland. On the island, there are four public cabins where it is possible to camp overnight, if you plan to spend several days there. On the official page you will find details and tips for exploring the island.
Afognak Island State Park
Afognak Island is close to Kodiak Island and easily accessible by sea or air. There are also air connections from Homer. In the northeastern part of the island we find Afognak Island State Park, a large 75,000 acre nature reserve, rich in terrestrial and marine wildlife. It is a paradise for salmon fishermen, thanks to the perfect spawning habitat that its wooded streams provide for these fish. Hunting and fishing are allowed in most of the island, and there are public huts where you can spend the night in a somewhat spartan manner.
On the official page you can find detailed information. If you don’t want to miss out a comfortable bed between one fishing trip and another, you can stay at the Afognak Wilderness Lodge: accommodation made of logs but equipped with all furniture, which is the main if not the only tourist accommodation on the island.
Places to Stay on Kodiak Island
Most of the accommodations are concentrated in the village of Kodiak, the nerve center of the island. Here are some tips.
- Shelikof Lodge. Centrally located, this is one of the town’s older hotels, but it remains one of the main landmarks for a stay on the island. One thing not to be underestimated if you arrive by plane is the free shuttle to the airport (4 miles from town).
- Aquamarine Suites combines a well-maintained room with the possibility of using the kitchen in your suite. An aspect not to be underestimated, considering that restaurant prices on the island are not cheap.
