Outdoor Recreation & Lifestyles
By Land, Sea or Air: Sitka's Outdoor Recreation
Sitka's population doesn't change with the seasons. Virtually all of the stores and businesses which are open in summer also operate the rest of the year. Interests and activities shift over the course of the year, but Sitka has year-round appeal for residents and visitors alike.
Saltwater Fishing
Fishing still tops the list of outdoor activities in Sitka. The waters around Sitka boast the highest saltwater sportfishing catch rate in the nation for king salmon. Nevertheless, fishing is just a small part of outdoor recreation here. The best fishing is from a boat, and will usually require that you hire one of Sitka's numerous licensed charter vessels. Consult with your charter captain, however, about whether he or she would be willing to make fishing the side dish of your trip rather than the main fare. So many possibilities open up once you've hired a boat: puffin-viewing at St. Lazaria Island, hot-tubbing at Goddard Hot Springs, and beachcombing and hiking on the black sand beaches of Kruzof Island. Fishing is at its very best June through August. The most commonly landed species are king salmon, silver salmon, pink salmon, halibut, and ling cod. Licenses are required, sold either by the charter operator or at one of the sporting goods stores in town. A processor in town can freeze and vacuum pack your catch for the trip home. A list of charter operators is available from the Sitka Convention & Visitors Bureau, 747-5940.
Sea Kayaking
Sitka is smack in the middle of the finest sea kayaking country in the world. Period. Words fall far short of describing the pleasures of this rapidly growing sport that has been likened to backpacking without the burden of a pack. The Inside Passage offers thousands of miles of sheltered waterway, and there are no restrictions whatsoever on camping in the Tongass National Forest. As if that weren't enough, the US Forest Service also maintains many recreational cabins (see Cabins below) which are accessible by saltwater. You could paddle from cabin to cabin, or use one as a home base from which to explore for several days. This is particularly appealing in early spring, when the cabins have a low occupancy rate and the camping may still be a little chilly. Sitka Sound Ocean Adventures (907-747-6375) and Baidarka Boats (907-747-8996) can provide you with a kayak and the training and gear to operate it safely and also offer several appealing kayaking packages. Inquire at their Blue Bus parked downtown at Crescent Harbor. Alaska Travel Adventures (907-747-8443) runs a neat, low-key guided kayak tour primarily for cruise ship passengers, but they do take walk-ins. Inquire at their large, white panel truck parked downtown at Crescent Harbor. Sitka is emerging as a world-class kayaking destination, and new opportunities to participate in this extraordinary activity are developing all the time. Stay tuned!
Hot Tubs
While the British take tea, Sitkans take hot tubs. Particularly in the winter months, November through February, many Sitkans enjoy taking a little soak in the late afternoon after darkness descends. Many Bed & Breakfasts have tubs available for guests. The city of Sitka maintains two public tubs at Goddard Hot Springs, about 17 water miles south of town. (Many charter operators will gladly take you there. See Fishing above.) Travelers can also warm up any time of year at the Blatchley Middle School Pool, where a swim costs $3.00 and includes use of the poolside sauna. Call 907-747-5677 for pool hours and information. Hames PE Center, 907-747-5231, on the Sheldon Jackson Campus, also has a pool open to the public.
Forest Service Cabins
This is one secret we are loathe to give away: The United States Forest Service maintains recreational cabins throughout the Tongass National Forest which can be reserved and rented for your exclusive use for all of $35-$45 per night. True, they are simple shelter, usually just an A-frame cabin with a wood or oil stove, but some are quite palatial, and all are in gorgeous settings. The Forest Service has gone to this trouble because prolonged camping can be a damp proposition in the rain forest, and a warm and dry haven can make for a much more enjoyable wilderness experience. Some cabins are located on mountain lakes and are accessible only by floatplane. Others are situated on saltwater and can be reached by boat or plane. 
Harris Aircraft Services, 907-966-3050, offers floatplane transportation to outlying cabins while Esther G Sea Taxi (907-738-6481) can get you there by boat. The Sitka Ranger district maintains 24 cabins in our area. Bookings can be tight in summer, especially on weekends and holidays, when Sitkans flock to the cabins. Summer weekdays or anytime off season are when you'll find plenty of cabins available. Call or write the USDA Forest Service, Sitka Ranger District, 204 Siginaka Way, Sitka AK 99835, 907-747-6671, for cabin maps and other particulars.
You must make your own cabin reservations directly through the central reservation system, as travel agent bookings are not allowed. Contact 1- 877-444-6777, TDD 1-877-833-6777, International: 518-885-3639 or www.recreation.gov.