Wildlife Abounds!
Whales, bears, and otters may be Southeast Alaska's superstars, but they aren't the only fish in the sea.
Our mild climate, rich habitat, and relatively low human population make Sitka one of the best places to view wildlife anywhere. Timing is a more important factor than luck, usually, since animals and birds frequent Sitka in fairly predictable cycles. Click on the image to the right to view a wildlife checklist.
St. Lazaria Island, a federal wildlife refuge at the mouth of Sitka Sound, is black with sea birds (puffins, murres, petrels, etc.) in the summer months. The sheer, volcanic cliffs are ideal habitat for these birds, and an equally wonderful habitat for bird watchers. There's no need to go ashore, even large craft can pull to within a few feet of the cliffs. Boats can get out to St. Lazaria in all but the worst weather.
Humpback whales are widely dispersed in the summer. In the early fall and winter, however, whales congregate here to feed on herring. Sitka's winter whale watching is the best in the world, and the most ecologically sound, since the whales are not courting and breeding as they are in Hawaii and Mexico. Attend the annual Sitka WhaleFest in November to see and learn more about marine wildlife. Call 907-747-7964 or Email: director@sitkawhalefest.org 
Whales return again in February and March, as do other marine mammals like seals and sea lions. They're all back to feed on herring, which are moving close to shore to spawn. Bald eagles are especially thick at this time, too.
So, luck has little to do with wildlife viewing, though it certainly doesn't hurt. Once a school of forty leaping and cavorting Pacific white-sided dolphins surrounded a sight-seeing boat as it motored home to Sitka from Salisbury Sound. Another time, as a fog-bound boat drifted waiting for the weather to clear, a pod of a dozen orcas cruised silently out of the mist, circled the boat, and then departed as mysteriously as they came.
Thanks to Barbara Bingham.