GETTING AROUND
ADMIRALTY, BARANOF, AND CHICHAGOF ISLANDS
Explore the ABCs
The ABC Islands, Admiralty, Baranof, and Chichagof, stretch north toward Skagway in Southeast Alaska. They sit like three green giants rising from the sea, and together are covered in 16 million acres of Tongass National Forest. These islands have been home to the Tlingit people for tens of thousands of years. Sitka rests on the western edge of Baranof Island and is the perfect home base for exploring the ABCs.
Admiralty Island ' s Tlingít name is Kootznooowoo, which translates to " Fortress of the Bear ". It ' s home to the village of Angoon and offers some of the most spectacular bear viewing. Adjacent to Admiralty ' s southern tip is Baranof Island. Home to Sheet ' ká( Sitka). Known for its deep bays and narrow inlets, Baranof is a boat cruiser ' s dream. To the north of Baranof, stretching up toward Icy Straight, is Chichagof Island. One of Alaska ' s largest Tlingít villages of Xúna( Hoonah), is located here.
EXPLORE BY SMALL CRUISE
One way to experience the ABCs is with UnCruise Adventures. Some of their Southeast Alaska itineraries begin or end in Sitka, giving visitors the opportunity to stay another day. Their small expedition vessels carry fewer than 100 guests and spend a full week exploring the region’ s remote waterways. Each itinerary includes“ Captain’ s Choice” exploration days, when the destination is selected based on weather, wildlife, and conditions. Along the way, guests might kayak through quiet kelp forests, ride skiffs into narrow fjords, hike along forested shorelines, or watch for whales and bears while traveling between anchorages.
8 | VISIT SITKA MAGAZINE