Kodiak is one of outback Alaska’s most pleasant towns; big enough to find uninterrupted WiFi and a decent latte, but small enough 
to be laid-back and friendly. The locals are a friendly bunch who love their town and aren’t afraid to tell you. Kodiak is wild, remote and stunningly beautiful, a rugged outpost on Alaska’s famed “Emerald Isle.” Accessible only by plane or ferry, Kodiak is nearly 200 miles offshore from Homer and truly off the beaten path. But a visit here will find you in a different Alaska, one of extreme wilderness and beauty, populated by hearty, friendly frontier folks. Climb lush mountains rising out of the sea, fish meandering rivers filled with salmon, beach comb surf-pounded sand beaches while spotting for whales and look for the famed Kodiak brown bear. You’ll also find a small, cosmopolitan city—with excellent museums, talented artists and fine food. Our Kodiak Alaska Travel Guide has everything you need to start planning your Kodiak Alaska vacation. Also visit more great Alaska beach locations by <<Clicking Here.>> Need to know what to pack for your Alaskan Vacation? << Click Here >>
Kodiak Weather – When to Visit
Average temperatures on Kodiak Island vary greatly. If you’re looking for the very warmest time to visit Kodiak Island, the hottest months are June, July, and August. The warmest time of year is generally mid July where highs are regularly around 64.7°F with temperatures rarely dropping below 49.3°F at night. The busiest months for tourism in Kodiak Island is going to be June, July, and August. Prices for hotels and flights will be most expensive during these months, though you can save if you purchase well in advance.
Kodiak Area Attractions
Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center
It’s rare when a National Wildlife Refuge has an amazing visitor center, but this one is a must-see. Kids and adults will love the displays, including the complete skeleton of a grey whale. You can learn about the grey whale migration from Baja to the Bering Sea, the food they eat, their evolutionary developments, and the seven-year process of discovering and transporting the skeleton to the museum.
Kodiak Fisheries Research Center
Kodiak Fisheries Research CenterA great place to visit with the family, this extensive center includes a saltwater touch tank and interpretive displays on wildlife and the fishing industry. It’s also a base for marine research. There is a 3,500-gallon, 10-foot cylinder aquarium where you can watch the species of the cold saltwater environment surrounding Kodiak. The touch-tank will let you look, handle, and learn about the variety of species in the area’s tide pools: sea stars, anemones, mussels, and clams.
The Bronze Madsen Bear
The Bronze Madsen BearHopefully this life-size bronze statue is the closest you’ll come to a Kodiak brown bear. The statue honors Charles Madsen, Kodiak’s pioneer-era bear-hunting guide and one of the first registered guides in Alaska. It was commissioned by his son Alf in 1957, sculpted in Seattle, housed in front of the Madsen family hotel until the 1964 earthquake and tsunami, and moved here in 2010.
U.S. Coast Guard Station
U.S. Coast Guard StationWhen the U.S. Navy closed their Kodiak station, Fort Greeley, in 1972, the Coast Guard took over. This is now the country’s largest station, with almost 1,000 personnel. They inspect and license fishing vessels, provide navigational and communication support, and help with marine safety. The Kodiak base patrols the famed rough waters of the North Pacific and Bering Sea.
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Fort Abercrombie State Park
Fort Abercrombie State ParkLoved by locals and travelers alike, this 182-acre state park has numerous trails, beaches, and rocky viewpoints. For history buffs, the trails take you past bunkers and relics from WWII outposts in the area. You’ll also find summer naturalist programs where you can learn about ecology as well as ocean and forest creatures.
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Best Kodiak Tours & Activities by Viator
Viator.com – Tours, sightseeing tours, activities & things to do
Kodiak Culture and History Walking Tour
Learn about the traditional Alutiiq lifestyle, Russian colonization, and early American life as we visit important touchstones in their community. Hear stories of the 1912 Nova Erupta explosion that buried Kodiak in 3 feet of ash and stories of the 1964 Great Earthquake and Tsunami that sank this side of the island 6 feet. This tour is sure to leave you with a better understanding of the people, places and stories that make up our Kodiak Island. Learn more about this Kodiak Culture & History Walking Tour.
Kodiak Harbor Walking Tour
This is an excellent way to learn about the life of the Alaska commercial fisherman and understand the seafood industry that is so vital to Kodiak. You will take away stories of cannery workers, fishermen, biologists and Coast Guard rescue swimmers, each contributing to Kodiak’s seafood harvest. Learn more about the Kodiak Harbor Walking Tour.
Alaska Bear Photography Workshop & Wildlife Cruise
This exciting photography workshop will have you exploring Southern Central Alaska with Dan M Lee as your photography coach and Paul Brand as your host and captain. A professional bear naturalist will be joining us on-board to help you get the most out of your trip. Learn more about the Alaska Bear Photography Workshop & Wildlife Cruise.
Kodiak Waterfront Walking Tour
This unique 90 minute walking tour brings visitors into the world of the Alaskan commercial fishing industry. Guests will get up close and personal to the fishing boats, the gear, the processing plants, and the men and women who make their living as Alaskan commercial fishermen, the most dangerous occupation in the United States. Learn more about the Kodiak Waterfront Walking Tour.
Best Kodiak Restaurants
Kodiak Hana $11 – 30
The best fish in Kodiak are served in this historic power plant which has been beautifully renovated into a Japanese seafood restaurant. The waterfront location places you on an outdoor deck, or in a solarium, watching fishing boats glide right past, while feasting on almost all-local sushi and seafood, or excellent udon, soba and yakisoba noodles. Telephone: 907-481-1088 Web: Kodiak Hana.
Henry’s Great Alaskan Restaurant $11 – 30
Featuring local beers on tap to enjoy with your meal, a full bar and pull-tabs in a friendly establishment. The restaurant features historical wall art and local artifacts from Kodiak, Captain Cooks voyages, Russian and Alutiiq History. Henry “Legs” LeGrue was brought to the Island in the Navy and chose to make Kodiak his home and place of business. His fine food and entertainment has been a fixture in Kodiak since 1957. Telephone: 907-486-8844 Web: Henry’s Great Alaskan Restaurant.
Rendezvous Bar & Grill $11 – 30
A good place to have a meal a little ways out of town. Friday night is steak night and draws a good crowd and the bar frequently features bands for your listening and dancing pleasure. The decor is replete with local artwork, some created by the owner. There is a full bar and lovely waitstaff to serve. On sunny days take your drink out back to the deck and soak up some sun and mountain views. Telephone: 907-487-2233 Web: Rendezvous Bar & Grill.
Olds River Inn & Brewery $11 – 30
It’s way off the beaten path and a solid 30-45 minutes outside of town, but well worth it. Great service and excellent food. They have several craft beers on tap, and some locally made there. Try the port belly sliders! Telephone: 907-486-6040 Web: Olds River Inn & Brewery.
The Chart Room $11 – 30
Fine dining in Kodiak is synonymous with the Chart Room Restaurant, serving a full breakfast and dinner menu including daily specials. Alaska King Crab is served year-round. Other favorites include generous portions of Prime Rib and Alaskan Fish and Chips. Their full-service lounge carries a wide selection of fine wines, local Alaskan beers with 14 beers on tap, and your favorite cocktails. Telephone: 907-486-5712 Web: The Chart Room.
Best Kodiak Bars
Rendezvous Bar & Grill
A good place to have a meal a little ways out of town. Friday night is steak night and draws a good crowd and the bar frequently features bands for your listening and dancing pleasure. The decor is replete with local artwork, some created by the owner. There is a full bar and lovely waitstaff to serve. On sunny days take your drink out back to the deck and soak up some sun and mountain views. Telephone: 907-487-2233 Web: Rendezvous Bar & Grill.
B&B Bar
This is the oldest bar in Kodiak. You won’t get a draft beer here, only bottles and bring cash as that is all accepted. Nice clean friendly place to stop in for a beer. Pool, big TV, no beer on tap, only bottles, no real food but they have snacks like chips, cold beer, watching Monday night football, nice place to relax. Telephone: 907-486-3575 Web: B&B Bar.
Tony’s Bar
Amy and Mel are awesome bartenders and dart league on Wednesday nights is a ton of fun to watch. Gets a little smokey at times. The music is good and the beers are cheap. Good atmosphere to hang out and play some pool with your friends. Telephone: 907-486-9489 Web: Tony’s Bar.
The Chart Room
Their full-service lounge carries a wide selection of fine wines, local Alaskan beers with 14 beers on tap, and your favorite cocktails. Telephone: 907-486-5712 Web: The Chart Room.
Village Bar
A lot of bars to choose from…this one will be slightly quieter then the rest with a wide variety of seating options to stake out an area. If music is playing it can be loud. There is a front and rear entrance and dance floor. Telephone: 907-486-3412 Web: Village Bar.
Best Kodiak Hotels
Aquamarine Suites
Aquamarine Suites offers accommodation in central Kodiak. Free WiFi is available throughout the property. The self-catering accommodation features a flat-screen TV with cable channels.
Triple Tree Suites
Triple Tree Suites offers accommodation in Kodiak. All units include a flat-screen TV. Some units feature a dining area and/or patio. There is also a kitchenette, equipped with a microwave.
Kodiak Russian River Lodge
Featuring mountain views, Russian River Lodge offers accommodation in Kodiak, Alaska. Guests can enjoy numerous outdoor activities in the area, such as fishing and hunting.
Goldilocks Bed & Breakfast
Located in Kodiak, Goldilocks Bed & Breakfast offers accommodation with a patio or a terrace, free WiFi and flat-screen TV, as well as a garden.
Shelikof Lodge
Set in Kodiak, Shelikof Lodge provides a bar. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage space, along with free WiFi.
Hi Leahrae
Thank you so much for sharing this amazing article with us.Will stay connected with your blogs for future posts.
Great Adam, thank you so much for stopping by!
Wow, this looks like a fantastic place to visit. I always thought of Alaska covered with snow all the time. A place I would associate with Christmas, hence, a visit during winter. A summer visit never occurred to me. Maybe something to add to my bucket list, thanks for this little tour.
I would never consider vacationing to Alaska in the winter LOL. But then I lived there for 22 years, and I know how cold it gets! I hope you can make it there…during the summer. Thanks for visiting my Kodiak Alaska Travel guide.
I really love your site, and enjoy reading all about the various get-away-destinations you cover. This one about Kodiak is really interesting, and would be right up my alley as far as things to do and enjoy….drinking beer and being out in nature! Hah!
What could be better than drinking beer and being out in the nature? Right! You won’t have this problem any where in Alaska, that is for sure. Thanks for stopping by!
Hey Leahrae! Never heard of such a beautiful place with the name of Kodiak before, and your post definitely let me know what I am missing. I loved to read your post as it was beautifully written, yet very informative. Thank you for sharing it with us!
My questions is: Does it mean to want to visit Kodiak you have to have a stack of cash with you or is it affordable for most people?
-Heku
Funny Heku 🙂 No, you will not need a stack of cash. If you visit during the summer months, the rates are higher. But nothing like other destinations such as the Caribbean. I think Alaska is overall pretty reasonable. Thanks for visiting beach travel destinations.
I really like St. Paul Boat Harbor. Now I am in Thailand and definitely want to visit here too. Do you have any good place to eat in Harbor Walkway? I would love to eat and watch the view there.
Thanks for stopping by Furkan. I would definitely stop at Henry’s Great Alaskan Restaurant. That is the place to eat at along the Harbor Walkway. Please let me know if you have any additional questions.
I have been to Alaska a few times but recently heard about Kodiak. I am happy to have stumbled
Upon your site as this has been extremely helpful. I am hoping to plan a trip sometime next summer and I’m glad this gives me some ideas of what this destination has to offer. Thanks again!
You are so welcome Andrew. Kodiak is a great place to vacation to. You will most likely fly into Anchorage, and then on to Kodiak. I would spend a few days in Anchorage as well if you have the time. Thanks for stopping by Kodiak Alaska Travel.
Here I am thinking of exploring the world, and here is an amazing site to utilize for my bucket list.
This article made me want to visit Alaska instantly and enjoy the kayaking ride while having fun viewing the sea stars and puffins.
I wouldn’t even need to do any more research as my quest ends here. Everything I need to know about accommodation, transport, and tourist attractions is already well detailed.
Immediately I’m able to find my means, Alaska here I come!!!…
Thanks so much for putting together this travel guide. You have indeed done a great and explicit job.
Thank you so much Tohin! I am glad you enjoyed my Kodiak Alaska Travel Guide. You will have a fantastic time in Alaska. Please let me know if you need any additional information.
OK, this is one of the best Vacation posts I’ve ever read! I’ve always wanted to travel to Alaska and now Kodiak is on my bucket list. I had no idea there was so much to choose from between restaurants and adventure tourism. I’m bookmarking this site for future reference. I’ll get there one day I hope.
Thank you so much Sydney! I am glad I opened your eyes to the great state of Alaska! I think you will truly have a wonderful time. Alaska is an experience for sure and there is so much to offer. Please let me know if you need any additional information.
Another great post. I always learn new places everytime I read your post. Also almost every single post I’ve read on your blog are the places I’ve never heard of, but they are definitely beautiful and worth to visit someday. My bucket list is getting longer and longer every time I visit your site lol. I love the detailed information you offer. Very helpful. It’s good to know that the prices for hotels and flights are most expensive during June, July, and August. If I ever decide to visit Kodiak Alaska, I will definitely be purchasing the tickets months in advance. It looks like there are plenty of places to have fun, I would love to go someday. Thank you for the awesome info.keep up with the great work.
Thank you so much Hong. I am glad I am expanding your bucket list and your knowledge about wonderful destinations around the world. There are so many wonderful places, and Alaska is quite beautiful. A different experience for sure than your typical beach destination.
Hi Leahrae,
Kodiak seems like a lovely place to visit in Alaska. I would love to take a sail on the charter vessel, Fish Hawk, to see whales and porpoises. Also, love awesome dogs, and going to the Alutiq Museum. I am really ready to go. All in all,I love an adventure and vacationing there I would feel right at home. Thank you!
Maxine
Kodiak is a wonderful place Maxine, and sounds like you would enjoy a vacation here. Thanks for stopping by Kodiak Alaska Travel.
Alaska is on my list of places to travel to. Thanks for providing me with all this great information, I will be coming back when I am ready to put the vacation together.
Glad I could help Justin. Thanks for visiting Kodiak Alaska Travel.
Kodiak looks so beautiful, but I would never had known what to actually do there as I plan my Alaska trip. Honestly, it’s just so pristine. The Rendezvous and the B&B seem like the places I want to stop to eat and drink! Cheers!
It is pristine JB, and Alaskans know how to eat and drink, that is for sure! Thanks for stopping by Kodiak Alaska Travel.
That’s great, I am looking to go to Mill Bay Beach Park for some
scuba diving and for bird shooting… with my camera, of course!
Can’t wait to go, great information to help with the planning!
Cheers
You will get to do some great scuba diving and bird….shooting (photographically) that is for sure! Thanks for visiting Kodiak Alaska Travel.
Hi Leahrae,
I am a lifelong Alaskan so I was excited to see your new Alaskan posts here! I have never been to Kodiak and my husband and I were just recently talking about going. Alaska is so large that many Alaskans never make it all around the state.
Kodiak looks a lot like Seward and Valdez which are on glacial fjords with tall, densely forested mountains rising out of the sea. I lived in Valdez and we travel to Seward now for weekends and I think this is my favorite environment in Alaska. I love the beaches and wildlife!
I am more anxious than ever to visit Kodiak now that I have seen your review! Thanks so much!
Jessica
You are so welcome Jessica. I lived in Alaska for 22 years, and thankfully my parents always had a boat and a plane. So I was pretty lucky in getting to see a lot of Alaska, as well as traveling throughout Alaska for my work. It is a great state and Kodiak is beautiful! Thanks for stopping by!
Hey Leahrae,
I’m curious about visiting Alaska but the weather puts me at a pause. I’m used to 65 degree weather, but dropping down to about 45???? That’s gonna be hard for me. BTW, I’m curious. How long does the sun stay out. I hear Alaska gets 20 hours of sun in the summer. Is that true.
That is true about the sun Lane, it never goes down actually and is light at night as well. If you go June, July, or August, you will see warmer temperatures. I am here right now and it is cold….about 44 degrees. But in the summer it is warmer and it is beautiful! Thanks for visiting Kodiak Alaska Travel.
I love museums and am excited to visit it. I think the Native American museums are always awesome. I’ve been to the one in Santa Fe, New Mexico and Washington D.C.
Is this the only museum in Kodiak, Alaska?
There are two museums in Kodiak that I know of. The Baranov museum and the Alutiiq museum. You would enjoy both of them. Glad you enjoyed the visit to Kodiak Alaska Travel. Thanks for stopping by.
I really enjoyed reading the article, and the video is amazing! Kodiak is a place I will put on my bucket list for my next summer excursion. There are so many fun things to do, and the views are fantastic. I saw people sitting and watching the doves in the video. Is there something that separates us from the doves? I am a kind of a coward when it comes to getting close up to animals:)
Thank you in advance!
Hi Daniella and thanks for reading about Kodiak Alaska Travel. The birds you are seeing in the video are pigeons and no, nothing to separate you 🙂 But they are harmless, that is for sure, so no worries. Thanks for visiting!
From the video, Kodiak, Alaska looks like a great fishing and hunting destination. It doesn’t get too crowded does it? One would have to travel there in summer. Rest of the time would probably be too cold. The video is great, really shows Kodiak in all its beauty!
If you are a fisherman, heading to Alaska for the salmon or halibut fishing, it does get crowded with the fisherman. Other than that, not so much. And you are right, best time (and only time for me 🙂 to head there is in the summer. I am here now and for me, it’s cold…sitting at about 44 degrees right now. Thanks for visiting Kodiak Alaska Travel.
I need to take a tour of Alaska. It sounds like such a wonderful place to visit. Kodiak especially intrigues me. It would be amazing to see mountains rise up and out of the sea. That would be awesome.
I do have a question though. For the hottest temperatures and peak tourist seasons, you said June, July, and August for both. I want to travel to Alaska when there are not so many people, but still a comfortable enough temperature. When would you recommend that I go?
Thank you in advance and I hope you make it a great day!
Hi Alex, and great question. I am in Alaska right now and the weather is in the mid 40s to mid 50s. Not too bad and I am not particularly too cold. So I would say September to mid October or May would not be too bad. You will still find it very enjoyable. Thanks for visiting Kodiak Alaska Travel.
Hi Matts Mom,
I really like the way that you have put your website together it’s very impressive, clean and easy to navigate. Good luck in all that you do and i wish you all the success in the world and greatness for you and your family.
Dave.
Thanks so much Dave and I am glad you enjoy beach travel destinations 🙂 Please come back again!