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Kodiak

Alaska's Emerald Isle

Driving Destinations

Marshy Bell's Flats Wetland. Photo by Matthew.

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.

Looking out over Chiniak Bay. Jan Penninton photo.

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.


Fossil Beach. Heather Fincher photo.
Kodiak Launch Complex in Pasagashak. Heather Fincher photo.

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.

Pyramid from Antone Larsen Bay road. B.J. Volpe photo.

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.

Monashka Bay. Photo by Gusnuf.

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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