Sitka is an Alaska city located over multiple islands, including Baranof and Chichagof Islands. It offers a unique glimpse into Alaskan culture and its celebration, as well as vibrant and thriving wilderness. There are many centers around Alaska working hard to preserve that picturesque, natural wilderness and wildlife, while allowing visitors to get a glimpse into those efforts. One such non-profit organisation is Sitka’s Alaska Raptor Center, whose mission is to rehabilitate and release injured Alaska raptors (bird of prey). In case of birds which can’t be released, they become permanent members of the center.

Alaska Raptor Center was first established in 1980 and it helps approximately 200 of its avian patients per year. If you’re visiting Sitka anytime soon, whether via cruise or otherwise, make sure to add the center to your itinerary. It’s a great place to see first-hand the important work people of Alaska are doing to preserve their land’s natural wonders, and your visit will also help with that.

When you visit, make sure to check out their bold eagle flight training center, where you can see its residents fly between perches, through the viewing corridors. The birds are not able to hear or see you, which provides the best opportunity to see their natural behaviour up close, without disturbing them.

Taking a short walk from there will take you to the outside natural eagle habitat, where you can watch different species against the scenic backdrop of a rainforest and the Indian river.

The center also includes a weathering yard, which exposes the raptors to natural weather elements (wind, rain, sunlight, etc.) to improve their physical, as well as mental wellbeing.

Alaska Raptor Center Opening Hours

The center has two seasonal opening hours. During Spring/Summer season (May to September), it is open 7 days a week, from 8am to 4pm. During Fall/Winter season (October to April), it is open Tuesday – Friday, from 10am to 3pm. These can change anytime however, so make sure to check out their website for most up to date information.

Alaska Raptor Center Tickets

If you’re looking to enter on the day, adult tickets are $16, children aged 5-12 tickets are $8, and younger ones go free. For most up to date pricing information though, make sure to check their website.

Visiting Alaska Raptor Center via Cruise

If you purchase an excursion that includes visit to the center, your ticket and transportation fee is usually already included in it.

-How long does it take to get to Alaska Raptor Center from the cruise ship?/How far away is the Alaska Raptor Center from the cruise ship?

Norwegian Cruise Line and Celebrity cruise ships are the ones I know of that dock at Sitka Sound Cruise terminal, located approximately 6.5 miles (10.5 kilometres) from the center. It takes about 15 minutes bus drive to go from cruise port to Alaska Raptor Center.

There is no pathway available, which means realistically you can’t walk from cruise port to the Alaska Raptor Center. However, if you don’t have the visit booked via excursion, but would like to visit independently, there are buses/shuttles organised to get you into the city, as the terminal is located a little away from it. There are also a lot of vendors and support staff at the port that will be able to assign you.