Kodiak Island (Alaska)

Kodiak is a fishing port and town on Chiniak Bay Alaska (Kodiak Island's northeastern coast) with population around 6,000. Town's best-known tourist attractions include a Russian Orthodox Church and the Baranof Museum. Initially named Pavlovsk Gavan (Paul's Harbor), the settlement was established in 1792 by the Russian-American Company (1799-1881). Kodiak AK was Russian America's colonial capital until it was moved to Sitka AK.

Kodiak Island is separated from mainland Alaska by Shelikof Strait. The island is ranked USA's 2nd largest (after Hawaii and before Puerto Rico) and world's 80th largest island. It has total area approx 9311 km2 (3595 mi2), length 160 km (99 mi) and width 16-97 km (10-60 mi). The other (in the "USA top 10") largest Alaskan islands are Prince of Wales, Chichagof, St Lawrence, Admiralty, Nunivak, Unimak, and Baranof.

Island's largest community and principal port is Kodiak. The island is located in Gulf of Alaska, to the south of Anchorage AK and Kenai Peninsula. The mountainous terrain is densely covered with high grass, bushes and wildflowers. Scoured by glaciers, the island is nearly devoid of trees. Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge (nature park) covers 75% of the island and is the habitat of the carnivorous Alaskan brown bear.

To the southwest are located the island groups Trinity Islands (separated by Sitkinak Strait) and Semidi Islands. Both archipelagos administratively belong to Alaska's Kodiak Island Borough, with total land area approx 16964 km2 (6550 mi2), marine area 14172 km2 (5472 mi2), and total population around 14,000.

Kodiak Alaska was included as call port in Northwest Passage cruises of the following passenger ships:

• Crystal Serenity - 32-days itinerary from Seward Alaska to NYC New York (2016 - August 16 to September 16)
• Crystal Serenity - 32-days itinerary 32-days Seward to New York City (2017 - August 15 to September 15)
• Seven Seas Navigator - 63-days itinerary from Miami Florida to Montreal Quebec (2017 - June 17 to August 18). The voyage was soon cancelled due to bad weather forecasts for July.

Note: All Northwest Passage ship transits are assisted by a Canadian icebreaker or another vessel with an ice-strengthened hull.

Kodiak Island cruise terminal