When your cruise ship sails into Sitka, you will need to know a few things. You are on Baranof Island, in the Gulf of Alaska, not far from Juneau. The Tlingit people lived here, then the Russians settled here. Fishing and hunting are part of the culture, and it is all about the outdoors. What to do? 

Here are 16 recent photos of travelers' experiences in and around Sitka:

 

Two sibling cubs, one black and the other his brother, a rare Spirit Bear. These cubs were photographed in the Great Bear Rainforest by @iantmcallister of @pacificwild. Prints of this photo are available at sitka.ca/crowdfund. You can win one by participating in our referral program, details at sitka.ca/referral. #LovetheWild #SitkaGoods

A photo posted by Sitka (@sitka_) on May 17, 2015 at 8:26pm PDT

 

Sam Anderson landed this giant hen today while reping one of our hats!!! Looks like it gave him a lil luck!!!!#kuiu #steelhead #bigfish #Idaho #208 #stud #spring #springbreak #simms #sitka #sickforit #simmsfishing #sage #orvis #stcroix #flyfishing #hookinlips #oakley #fishon #followus #you_betcha

A photo posted by YOU BETCHA' OUTDOORS (@you_betcha_outdoors) on Mar 19, 2016 at 2:46pm PDT

 

Eagle River Falls #sitka #alaska #nature #observerlife

A photo posted by Derek Chamberlin (@chamberlindw) on Mar 19, 2016 at 8:44pm PDT

 

@untamedimagesbyjl here are a few velvet pics for ya #elk #tinesup #sitka #swarovskioptics #bullelk #photography

A photo posted by Clay Allen (@clayallen74) on Mar 19, 2016 at 4:29am PDT

 

The Sitka Society for Conservation (SSC) is partnered with @pacificwild to build a hydrophone network in the Great Bear Sea to monitor noise levels for the purpose of showing that tanker traffic is too loud for the marine habitat. We're currently crowdfunding to get the SSC up and running so we can have a greater impact on this initiative. Head to sitka.ca/crowdfund to see new products exclusively available as perks for backing the campaign. @iantmcallister photo #LovetheWild #WildernessActivism

A photo posted by Sitka (@sitka_) on Apr 30, 2015 at 2:36pm PDT

 

Mount Edgecombe #sitka #alaska #volcano #nofilter

A photo posted by Derek Chamberlin (@chamberlindw) on Mar 20, 2016 at 7:53pm PDT

 

Spring colors on this 1.5" copper Killer Whale cuff! #jewelry #bracelet #killerwhale #copper #sitka #spring #salmonberry #engraved #tlingit

A photo posted by Jerrod galanin (@jerrodgalanin) on Mar 20, 2016 at 4:49pm PDT

 

Sitka elders and leaders came together today to discuss the naming and crest design of the canoe. #sitka #cedar #tlingit

A photo posted by Jerrod galanin (@jerrodgalanin) on Mar 17, 2016 at 11:53pm PDT

 

Southeast bridge troll. Blond bridge troll. With cool bridge moves. #kidsinwoods #sitka #temperatemonkey #bridgetroll

A video posted by Nick Szymoniak (@nickszymoniak) on Mar 17, 2016 at 10:28pm PDT

 

#herringopening2016 #optimus #seiners #sitkaalaska

A photo posted by Southeast Alaska Living (@ak_fishermom) on Mar 20, 2016 at 10:43am PDT

 

Aurora #LovetheWild regram by @winterhawk_ig

A photo posted by Sitka (@sitka_) on Jun 28, 2015 at 11:39pm PDT

 

Do you prefer running on trails or roads? #runsitka #running #runner #run #sitkarunning #werunsitka #sitka #alaska #sitkaak #sitkaalaska #southeastalaska #forest #winter #mylife #workout #southeastakrunners #runthetongass #motivation #adventure #explore #akrunners #trails #runalaska #runak #instasitka #instarunners #trailrunning #training #rei1440project

A photo posted by #runsitka (@runsitka) on Mar 12, 2016 at 5:43pm PST

 

It's a great day to be outside. It maybe cold but it is beautiful. #runsitka #running #runner #run #sitkarunning #werunsitka #sitka #alaska #sitkaak #sitkaalaska #southeastalaska #forest #winter #southeastakrunners #akrunners #runak #runalaska #instasitka #instarunners #islandlife

A photo posted by #runsitka (@runsitka) on Feb 29, 2016 at 10:33am PST

 

A coastal wolf looking for dinner. Photo shot by @iantmcallister of @PacificWild. Prints of this photo and 4 others are available at sitka.ca/crowdfund. Don’t forget, you could win one of the prints by participating in our referral campaign, details at - sitka.ca/referral #LovetheWild #SitkaGoods

A photo posted by Sitka (@sitka_) on May 16, 2015 at 11:22am PDT

 

We are in business to advocate for the wild places we love. Where are the places you love? Head to sitka.ca/outpost to see if THE SITKA OUTPOST is the business for the place that you love! @gogoandthebandit photo.

A photo posted by Sitka (@sitka_) on Sep 16, 2015 at 12:37pm PDT

 

First Day of Spring! #sitka #alaska #observerlife #nofilter

A photo posted by Derek Chamberlin (@chamberlindw) on Mar 20, 2016 at 4:29pm PDT