Galley Gourmet: All about Kodiak Island, Alaska

Kodiak Alaska visitor travel guide
Cover photo by Marion Owen
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(All photos on this site are by Marion Owen unless specified otherwise)

Welcome to Kodiak Island

A wise man once said, "The more civilized we become, the more we need wilderness."

Perhaps that's why visitors come to Kodiak: to satisfy that need. On Kodiak Island, visitors and residents alike find inspiration for the mind, body and spirit...

Situated in the northwest corner of the Gulf of Alaska (due north of Hawaii), the Kodiak island Archipelago parallels the Katmai Coast along the Alaska Peninsula for 177 miles. The group of islands encompass nearly 5,000 square miles, roughly the size of the state of Connecticut. And as the largest island in the group, Kodiak is the second largest island in the U.S., next to the Big Island of Hawaii.

Kodiak's identity is primarily linked with its most famous resident, the Kodiak brown bear. Approximately 2/3 of Kodiak Island is National Wildlife Refuge, home to about 3,000 bears. You can learn all about bears and the refuge at the National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, located downtown. (Marion took the photographs used to produce the large display murals). Nutrient-rich waters surrounding the archipelago provide an ideal habitat for sea lions, sea otters, harbor seals, Dall's and white-sided porpoise and whales.

Wherever you are on Kodiak Island, you are never far from an opportunity to go beach combing. Glass floats and even exotic hardwoods drift in from far-flung places, thanks to the powerful currents.

Kodiak is also a birder's paradise, for both land birds and seabirds. Thanks to a mild climate and plentiful food supply, bird watching opportunities are excellent year round.

The Kodiak area also offers lake, stream and ocean sport fishing of unrolled abundance and variety, from barn door-sized halibut, feisty rainbow trout, steelhead, Dolly Varden and all five species of salmon.

hiking Kodiak Island, Sitka spruce The northern part of the archipelago is covered with thick Sitka spruce forests, the only unmixed stand in the world, which makes for wonderful hiking. Wild orchids, shooting stars, chocolate lilies abound in and around the wooded environment, providing unlimited picture-taking opportunities.

A thriving year-round commercial fishing industry is the economic engine that drives Kodiak Island. And the country's largest Coast Guard base is located on Women's Bay, south of the City of Kodiak.

Commercial fishing, Kodiak, Alaska Kodiak's diverse cultures and maritime lifestyles are celebrated in a variety of special events. A complete community calendar is listed on the kodiak.org website.

Kodiak is accessible by jet and turbo-prop service from Anchorage, just a 45-minute flight away. By sea, the Alaska Marine Highway provides passenger and vehicle service to Kodiak from either Seward or Homer.

Either way you get to Kodiak Island, we hope you have a wonderful visit!

Cheers to you,

A pair of wood-carved guys hold a king salmon

This was the highlight of my Kodiak trip.--Lois Meyers, Colfax, WA

Even better than all the recommendations!--Sharon Tracy, Tigard, OR

Breathtaking scenery, gracious hosts and fabulous food. Thank you!--Greg and Denise Williams, Tulsa, OK

You've certainly figured out how to have fun and share it with others.--Janet George, Anchorage, AK

Awesome trip. Great food and wonderful hosts.--Rina Guadagni, Redding, CA

A bald eagle exercises his lungs from a spruce tree.