The City of Kodiak, Alaska, is located at the northeastern tip of Kodiak Island, which lies about 30 miles off the coast of Alaska. Kodiak Island is roughly 3,588 square miles in size, making it the largest island in the Kodiak Island Archipelago, and the second largest island in the United States. Kodiak Island is often referred to as Alaska’s Emerald Isle, due to its lush, green vegetation in summer.

The city of Kodiak is the supply and transportation hub for the archipelago’s six communities. It is the largest commercial fishing port in Alaska with more than 700 commercial fishing vessels, as well as numerous trawl, long-line and crab vessels. The bustling coastal community is home to nearly 14,000 residents.

+ Kodiak Visitor Center      + Kodiak Chamber of Commerce

  

Getting to Kodiak
Kodiak is located approximately 250 miles south of Anchorage. Visitors fly into Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city then transfer to a smaller air carrier to Kodiak. The flight from Anchorage to Kodiak is less than an hour. On a clear day, passengers are treated to spectacular views of the mountains, valleys and communities along the Kenai Peninsula.

+ Era Aviation      + Alaska Airlines

Travelers with more available time may wish to rent a car for the award winning scenic drive along Turnagain Arm and the Seward Highway to Seward or down the Kenai Peninsula to Homer to catch a ferry.

Kodiak Climate
Kodiak is a coastal community and weather can change quickly. Be prepared for occasional rain showers year-round.

+ Climate facts      + Kodiak Weather Camera

Daylight hours range from as few as eight hours at winter solstice (December) to more than 20 at summer solstice (June). Summer temperatures average 65, but can be as warm as the mid-70s on occasion or as cool at the mid-50s during the day. The average range of winter temperatures is 10-35 degrees.

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What to Wear
Dress for comfort, as Alaska dress code is informal and casual. Layers are recommended. Bring good walking shoes, slacks (a pair of shorts OK in summer months), long sleeve shirts (some short sleeves OK in summer), sweater or sweatshirt, water repellant jacket, hat and gloves (winter for sure, summer when windy), waterproof boots, and sunglasses.

+ Clothing facts

Accommodations
Kodiak features a wide range of lodging options from hotels to rustic lodges and bed and breakfasts. For those visitors planning to work at the Kodiak Launch Complex for some time, the closest accommodations are at the Narrow Cape Lodge. All reservations for the Narrow Cape Lodge are made through the Kodiak Launch Complex. To make reservations please call 907-265-9680. To contact guests at the NCL call 907-486-4815. Each of the Narrow Cape Lodge’s 56 rooms is equipped with a bed, private bath, television, phone and desk area. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are available in the main dining room at the facility.

Food
Alaskans love fresh fish and shellfish, and the freshest can be found in Kodiak. Halibut, salmon, cod and crab are featured at nearly all of Kodiak’s restaurants.

+ Dining in Kodiak

Activities
No matter what the season, there is something to do in Kodiak. Fishing, wildlife viewing, hunting, camping, kayaking, rafting, hiking, mountain biking and scuba diving are among the outdoors activities enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. Alaskans take full advantage of summer’s long sunny days. It’s not uncommon to see residents out running, hiking, bicycling or gardening late into the evening.

A walking tour of Kodiak will give visitors insight into the community’s early years. Along the route visit museums, Alaska’s oldest orthodox parish and numerous shops.

+ Kodiak Visitor Center


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