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Located on the western coast of Baranof Island, Sitka is a popular stop on cruises of Alaska’s Inside Passage. The region boasts a rich Tlingit native culture combined with Russian settlement history. Sitka is also home to one of Alaska’s most impressive raptor rehabilitation centers and a refuge for orphaned bears.
Travelers docking at the Sitka cruise port often head out for a full-day tour of the top Sitka attractions including the Alaska Raptor Center, Fortress of the Bear, and Sitka National Historical Park. Adventurous travelers can take sea kayaking, hiking, and whale watching excursions.
History buffs won’t want to miss a visit to Castle Hill, the spot where Alaska was officially transferred from Russia to the United States in 1867 or St. Michael’s Cathedral, a reconstructed Russian Orthodox church originally built between 1844 and 1848.
Most cruise ships arrive in Sitka dock at the Old Sitka Dock at Halibut Port Marina, which is about 6 miles (9.6 kilometers) north of Sitka’s main city center. A free shuttle bus transports cruise ship passengers to downtown Sitka. On days where there is more than one ship in the harbor, larger vessels will anchor in the bay and tender passengers to one of two docks located in town.
The Old Sitka Dock cruise terminal has restrooms, high-speed Wi-Fi, gift shops, and a covered outdoor terrace. A free shuttle departs every 10 minutes and drops passengers at Sitka’s Visitors Center at Harrigan Centennial Hall. The local currency is the US dollar, and several ATMs are available on Lincoln Street, Sitka’s main street. English is the official language.