By Air:
Era Aviation and Alaska Airlines serve Kodiak from Anchorage, a short one hour flight from the mainland. Air schedules may vary by season but generally provide up to eight flights daily. Island Air Service also offers a short commuter flight from Homer. See airline listings in the Transportation section of our business directory for phone and website contacts.
By Sea:
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M/V Tustumena at port.
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The Alaska Marine Highway System provides passenger and vehicle service to Kodiak and Port Lions aboard the M/V Tustumena or the M/V Kennicott from Homer or Whittier. Staterooms, full-service dining rooms, solarium and public shower are available. Make reservations well in advance, particularly if you plan to bring a vehicle. For reservations, call 800-642-0066. Also see the Alaska Marine Highway listing in the business directory for more information. Several cruise lines make port calls to Kodiak from May through September. Kodiak's immense beauty and ample harbor facilities make the island an attractive yatching destination. If you are interested in travelling to Kodiak via personal yatch please visit the Cruise Kodiak site for further information.
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Getting Around the Island |
Car Rental
With only about 100 miles of road, Kodiak is a great place to go out exploring on your own. Several national car rental agencies are available on the island with offices at the airport and in downtown Kodiak. If you are flying in, you will probably want to pick up your car at the airport. If you are arriving by ferry or cruise ship, it is a short walk to the downtown car rental agency.
Kodiak City
A multi-cultural town full of hard-workers, residents of Kodiak believe they live in paradise. On sun-drenched days in summer, you’ll find families out walking the trails and beaches, picnicking, fishing and swimming. Downtown, picturesque St. Paul Harbor is active with fishing and sightseeing boats coming and going. The ferry brings people from the mainland and the Aleutian chain. The shopping square is lively with visitors and townsfolk looking for treasures at Kodiak’s unique gift shops or dining at one of Kodiak’s great restaurants. Three museums, the Baranov, the Alutiiq and the National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center are in the heart of downtown Kodiak. You’ll meet many locals who take great joy in talking with tourists and sharing their love of the island.
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Marshy Bell's Flats Wetland. Photo by Matthew.
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Bell's Flats
About 10 miles outside Kodiak city is the settlement of Bell's Flats. Sargent Creek, Russian Creek and Salonie Creek drain into Women’s Bay, so named because it was a favorite fishing ground for Native women. There are several bed and breakfasts in the Bell's Flats area for those wanting a rural setting during their stay in Kodiak.
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Looking out over Chiniak Bay. Jan Penninton photo.
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Chiniak
At the end of the road approximately 45 miles from Kodiak is the small settlement of Chiniak. The trip out to Chiniak takes about an hour via a partially paved road with hairpin turns, steep hills and breath-taking views of coastline and mountains. This road was blazed during World War II when the army installed bunkers and pill boxes in the area. Many of these, although in ill-repair, are still standing. Chiniak is a great place to get away from the hustle bustle of the harbor and downtown Kodiak. You can always find a quiet bay to beach comb or picnic. Cliff tops make a great place to spot whale spouts. Several bed and breakfasts and lodging properties are located in Chiniak, although there are no other visitor services.
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Fossil Beach. Heather Fincher photo.
Kodiak Launch Complex in Pasagashak. Heather Fincher photo.
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Pasagshak
At the end of another of the few roads on Kodiak Island, lies Pasagshak. A popular fishing destination, the landscape here is quite different from Chiniak and it is definitely worth the drive through the mountains until they open into the broad sea. A small community lives quietly here. Beyond the settlement lies Surfer Beach and Fossil Beach, both popular destinations for visitors to the island. Surfer Beach is a broad expanse of black sand where you can easily spot whales and get in tune with the tide. During particularly high surf, you may spot surfers who brave icy waters which can make this sport “extreme” surfing to the max! Fossil Beach, at the bottom of an unimproved (often four-wheel drive only) road, is another oft-visited beach where you can search for ancient fossils. Other than a lodging accommodation or two, there are no visitor services here.
Also out the road Pasagshak way is the Kodiak Launch Complex owned and operated by Alaska Aerospace Development. The launch complex is used for launching satellites into polar orbits, and sub-orbital payloads for research and development. At times the launch complex may be off limits, but is well signed when you should not enter.
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Pyramid from Antone Larsen Bay road. B.J. Volpe photo.
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Other Drives
Anton Larsen Bay can be reached by driving an unpaved 12 mile road through the mountains. The drive offers beautiful views of the green hills with opportunities to see wildlife along the way. The bay is home to a few local residents and also the site of a busy boat launch. The road narrows toward the end when it reaches a stream tumbling down from the mountain tops.
Mill Bay Drive and Rezanof Drive, which extend from downtown to the Monashka Bay, are main arteries that lead you to interesting shops, bookstores, art galleries, bakeries and coffee shops. Many of these stores feature local art.
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Monashka Bay. Photo by Gusnuf.
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Monashka Bay
Another road’s end is found about 12 miles northwest of Kodiak city at Monashka Bay. Here you will find beautiful White Sands Beach. A long, lovely beach is very popular for among locals for fishing, beachcombing, and picnicking. Sometimes seals can be seen floating in the bay.
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Regardless of your budget, Kodiak Island has a variety of unique accommodations. Whether you are looking for a familiar chain hotel or motel or like to lay your head on a pillow in a bed and breakfast whenever you travel, you'll find it in Kodiak.
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Meet with Adventure!
Why hold your annual meeting or convention in a humdrum town or crowded city when you can come to Kodiak Island? Abundant in wildlife and rich in natural resources, group members can focus on and accomplish their goals while being inspired by the natural beauty of this pristine island.
Jaw-dropping scenery, world-class sport fishing, fresh Alaskan seafood and a variety of once-in-a-lifetime activities await your attendees. Whether you host your convention on the shores of the Buskin River or overlooking St. Paul's Harbor, you can rest assured that your group will be happy and productive....and forever grateful to their host!
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Plan A Trip
