Kodiak Near Island Channel

Excellent kayaking is so accessible in Kodiak. Even kayaking the harbor and channel can be memorable and exciting. You can get up close to stellar sea lions, sea otters, seagulls, puffin, oyster catchers, eagles, and sometimes even orcas, all without paddeling a mile. The coordinates listed for launching your kayak are at a gravel ramp by Oscar dock. You can also launch from Dog Bay (the harbor on Near Island) or Trident Basin (the float plane dock on Near Island). You need not take any particular route to experience the wildlife and fun of paddeling the harbor, but one highly recommend route proceeds through Dog Bay to see all the large fishing vessels and by the sea lion float. These smelly and noisy beasts are curious, and it is common for them to follow behind you, checking you out. Typically there is no need for concern, but if a group of sea lions is chasing you, you should get to shore. If you kayak up to fishing vessels tied up at a cannery you can often see the sea lions waiting around for fish scraps, or even climbing up onto the boats to nab fish that fall from the unfurling nets. You can kayak up and down the main channel, kayak around Near Island and return to your launch site, or just paddle where you fancy. The channel is very protected, making it kayakable on all but the most blustery of days.