Kodiak Island

Kodiak Island sits off Alaska's southern coast and is home to the Kodiak brown bear, the largest brown bear subspecies. The town of Kodiak City has a working fishing port atmosphere that hasn't been cleaned up for tourists. Ships dock at City Dock II, about 1.5 miles south of downtown, with a shuttle running into town. The Alutiiq Museum covers the indigenous culture of the island, which goes back 7,500 years. Bear-viewing tours are the main excursion, though they depend on weather and season. The Holy Resurrection Russian Orthodox Church reflects the island's Russian colonial past, when it was the capital of Russian America. Fort Abercrombie State Historical Park has WWII-era bunkers set on dramatic coastal cliffs. Seafood is excellent: fresh salmon and halibut appear on most menus. Taxis, rental cars, and guided tours cover the island. The US dollar is the currency, and tipping at 15-20% in restaurants is standard.