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Kodiak Kodiak is a place to satisfy that need to rediscover nature in its purest form. Nature’s craftsmanship built a place of dramatic scenic beauty; an ideal world suited for land and marine life. The mild, always altering nautical climate insulates the island from the extremes of the mainland. Thriving vegetation carpets the terrain, giving “Alaska’s Emerald Isle” its name. Kodiak Island is situated in the gulf of Alaska parallel to the Katmai Coast, neighbor to 15 surrounding islands making a mass roughly the size of Connecticut. At 3,588 square miles, Kodiak Island is the largest island in the group and the second largest in the U.S. Click Map to Enlarge )
Wherever you are on Kodiak you are never far from adventure opportunities, choices seem never ending. Both dedicated and casual anglers will find ample opportunity to test their mettle in Kodiak’s traverse, year-round fishing. Desired Bear Viewers increase their viewing opportunities by joining a variety of backcountry trips to Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge or Katmai National Park. Wilderness lodge experiences are “top notch” and are a visitor’s favorite choice. Several ranches offer trail rides for exploring beach and mountain trails on horseback. River float trips are an excellent way to explore the backcountry at a leisurely pace. Kayaking is yet another adventure option for exploring Kodiak’s rocky coastal areas. Scuba diving, golf and simply beach combing can be added to the above list. Winter brings other options, including skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and more! The Alutiiq people have inhabited the Kodiak Island Archipelago for more than 7,500 years. Eight Kodiak area Native corporations formed the Aluttiiq Heritage Foundation in an effort to preserve cultural traditions. The Alutiiq Museum and Archaeological Repository is supported and governed by the Alutiiq Heritage Foundation. Alutiiq culture continues to evolve, looking back to better understand the past while forging a place in the modern world, Alutiiq artisans practice ancient crafts passed down by their ancestors and learn skills long since forgotten. Alutiiq youth participate in Spirit Camps and learn traditional ways from elders. The Kodiak Island Borough School District has incorporated Alutiiq studies into the local educational curriculum. A visit to one of the area’s six villages reveals the continuity of many ancient traditions and subsistence lifestyle. 
For a majority of people, Kodiak’s identity is associated with its most notorious dweller, the Kodiak Brown Bear. Around 3,000 bears reside here, with many additional bears inhabiting the Katmai Coast. The immediacy of these two large bear populations make Kodiak an ultimate bear viewing environment. Most local air taxis offer bear viewing excursions, since they are infrequently seen on the road system. The Kodiak brown bear is the world’s largest land carnivore, weighing up to 1,500 pounds and standing sometimes 10 feet tall. From late May to October, these great animals feast on millions of salmon that return to the refuge to spawn. The best bear viewing is from mid-June through September near salmon streams. 
Photo by Ashlie Lee
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Photo courtesy of Linda Melchart |
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