ACTIVITIES
Make Waves in Sitka Sound
IF YOU PULL UP to the Sandy Beach parking lot during a swell , you might be surprised to see adventurous surfers riding Sitka ’ s stormy waves like a raft of bobbing sea otters .
When you hear the word “ surfing ,” you likely think of white beaches , hot sun , and palm trees , but not even Sitka ’ s cool , rainy climate can keep locals from their surfboards .
Sitka ’ s Tlingit name is Sheet ’ ka , or “ Shee ,” which loosely translates to “ the island behind the islands .” Sheltered from the open seas and high winds by hundreds of tree-studded islands , the calm , protected waters of Sitka Sound are nature ’ s playground . Rain or shine , you ’ re likely to find Sitkans enjoying an offshore adventure – whether it ’ s boating , surfing , kayaking , or even snorkeling .
Want to join in on the fun ? Sitka Sound Ocean Adventures is a seasonal kayak guiding company with a fleet of durable sea kayaks and a treasure trove of camping gear . In addition to their half-day trips , they also offer guided multiday expeditions .
“ The Sitka Sound area offers some of the nicest sea kayak paddling terrain anywhere in the world ,” says Sitka Sound Ocean Adventure ’ s manager , John Dunlap . “ There are all kinds of great places to go , depending on what the conditions are , and there ’ s almost always somewhere you can go where the conditions are within your abilities .”
If you plan on exploring Sitka ’ s islands and coastline – no matter how you get there – stop by LFS Marine Supply to buy necessities like life vests or an inflatable float to take out on the water . If you need some snacks for a day at sea , or even a kayak , AC Lakeside is your one-stop shop .
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