Welcome travelers! I’ve compiled a list of Top 12 things to do in Kodiak to get you on your way to an amazing trip! This is the exact list I use when friends and family are visiting me. Please ask me for more tips! Enjoy!
1. Take a Kodiak Walking Tour!! This is a great introduction to Kodiak! These tours are designed to connect you to the people, places and stories of Kodiak. After each tour, I’ll point you in the right direction so you can have your best trip yet! At $45 this is the best deal in town and you’re guaranteed to love your tour or it’s FREE!
2. Pillar Mountain drive/hike: Drive to the top of the pillar mountain to get an amazing view of the town and several surrounding bays. Stunning sweeping panoramic vistas. Drive to the last windmill and enjoy a scenic hike along the ridge.
3. Abercrombie State Park: this is my favorite place on earth!! I rejuvenate in the mossy green saturated rainforest here. There are many easy and delightful trails to hike that lead to flower meadows filled with chocolate lilies or shooting stars or quiet lakes dotted with lily pads. Taste a salmonberry or blueberry on the trail. Along the beach sit and watch the sunset, have a beach fire or go tide pooling. Watch whales or puffins from the sea cliffs. There’s even a World War II history museum and fishing in the main lake. This place is gorgeous!
4. Road trip: grab a tide schedule and wear layers! Head “out the road” to Fossil Beach. About 10 miles from town you can stop for coffee and delish sandwiches at Java Flats for a picnic later. At Pasagshak try fishing in the river or just watch the waves crashing on the beach. Keep driving on a dreamy remote road to the end. Walk the last bit to the beach and search for fossils at low tide. Stop at surfers beach, a long gorgeous remote beach to picnic and maybe see buffalo roaming or whales. Head back towards town and stop at the Olds River Inn for dinner and home brew while you watch horses across the flats and lush green mountains. Alternatively, stop at the Rendevous to mix with locals over some killer chowder and fish tacos and a beer before going home.
5. Kayaking on Kodiak is a dream! Take a guided 2-hour trip to get up close to sea lions, sea otters, whales, orcas, puffins and more.
6. Bear viewing! Ask locals where bears have been seen lately and what time of day. If it’s middle of summer or fall they are most likely fishing in the rivers. There are a few salmon rivers on the road system where Bear viewing is more likely. You can also take a bear charter plane to Frazer lake on the south end of Kodiak. The pilots know which rivers have bears and know their personalities after several years of flying in. Highly recommended.
7. Fishing! Whether on the road system or chartering a boat, it’s what we do in Kodiak!! We’re famous for it!
8. Save these for a rainy day. We have several wonderful museums. Alutiiq Museum explores 7500 years of Native history in Kodiak. Kodiak History Museum is housed in a National Historic Landmark that once served as a Russian Warehouse for sea otter pelts. Kodiak Military Museum housed in a bunker at Abercrombie has lots of hands-on artifacts. Before any remote trip on Kodiak, we visit the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge. Learn about the native mammals and birds of Kodiak, hiking in Bear Country or visit the whale skeleton upstairs.
9. Go hiking! Let me be your guide or join one of the two weekly Audubon hikes throughout summer.
10. Eating in Kodiak: my favorite restaurant by far is Hana’s (also known as the old powerhouse) under the bridge. Enjoy a miso black cod appetizer, and a local beer with amazing sushi while you watch eagles, orcas, sea lions and fishing boats from your table. Excellent food and views.
11. Eating continued: Nuniaq is a new Native woman owned business downtown that is worth a visit! Melissa Berns puts together amazing local treats. Eat in or take it to the brewery next door to pair with a local brew.
12. 4 wheeling and fishing at Saltry cove. Get ready for a full day adventure deep into bear and salmon country. Be delighted by the wild horses that live out here and prepare for a fun bumpy ride! Excellent fishing and you’re almost sure to see several bears fishing next to you.
