Baranof IslandAbout Baranof Island
Baranof Island is an island in the Alexander Archipelago of southeastern Alaska. It is characterized by mountainous terrain, dense temperate rainforest and a rugged island coastline.
The island’s largest community is Sitka, which serves as the regional economic and cultural centre and retains significant Russian-era heritage. The island supports fishing, tourism and subsistence activities and contains areas of Tongass National Forest.
Baranof Island was long inhabited by Indigenous Tlingit peoples and later became a focal point of Russian colonial activity in Alaska; Sitka was an important colonial capital before the Alaska Purchase of 1867. Modern Baranof Island combines native communities, small towns and protected natural areas.
Geographically the island lies off the southeastern Alaskan coast among other large islands of the Alexander Archipelago, a short distance from the Gulf of Alaska and accessed by ferry or air to Sitka.
- Setting: Part of the Alexander Archipelago in southeastern Alaska and within Tongass National Forest; the island features rugged, forested terrain and coastal fjords.
- Historical significance: Site of historical Russian presence in Alaska prior to the 1867 Alaska Purchase; Sitka was once the colonial capital.
What to See#
- Sitka: The island’s principal settlement and historic administrative centre, located on the western coast and serving as the island’s main harbour and service hub.
Best Time to Visit Baranof Island
Best visited in summer (June-August) for the mildest weather, wildlife viewing and reliable access.
Weather & Climate near Baranof Island
Baranof Island's climate is classified as Subarctic - Subarctic climate with cold summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -5°C to 13°C. Heavy rainfall (3357 mm/year), wettest in October.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | -5° - 1° | -7° | 332 mm | - | - | 4.4 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | -4° - 1° | -6° | 269 mm | - | - | 4.1 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | -4° - 1° | -6° | 251 mm | - | - | 3.7 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | -2° - 4° | -3° | 198 mm | - | - | 3.6 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 1° - 7° | 1° | 176 mm | - | - | 3.2 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 4° - 10° | 5° | 150 mm | - | - | 2.9 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 6° - 12° | 8° | 158 mm | - | - | 2.7 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 7° - 13° | 9° | 221 mm | - | - | 2.8 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 5° - 10° | 5° | 374 mm | - | - | 3.3 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 1° - 6° | 0° | 496 mm | - | - | 3.7 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | -3° - 2° | -5° | 374 mm | - | - | 4.1 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | -4° - 1° | -7° | 358 mm | - | - | 4.3 m/s | - | - |
How to Get to Baranof Island
Baranof Island (home to Sitka) has no road connection to the Alaskan mainland. The main ways to reach the island are by air to Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport (SIT) - which has scheduled flights from regional hubs such as Juneau and Anchorage - or by the Alaska Marine Highway ferry service to Sitka from other coastal communities (including Juneau) when sailings are available.
Once in Sitka you can use local roads, taxis, rental cars or walk to reach destinations around the island; plan travel seasonally, as ferry and flight schedules vary.
Tips for Visiting Baranof Island
- Plan Baranof Island travel for summer months (June-August) when ferry and flight connections to Sitka are regular and wildlife‑viewing opportunities (bald eagles, marine mammals) are at their best in the morning.
- Use Sitka as your main access point-scheduled flights and the Alaska Marine Highway ferry connect the island to regional hubs-then book local guides for safe wildlife and wilderness excursions rather than trying to reach remote spots independently.
- Explore beyond Sitka's town center: the island's old‑growth forests, coastal trails and small coastal communities offer quieter experiences than the town itself and are often overlooked by short‑stay visitors.