Dutch Harbor, Alaska

OLD WORLD ARCHITECTURE MEETS RUGGED MARITIME HISTORY

Nestled between the Pacific Ocean to the South and the Bering Sea to the North, Dutch Harbor’s position between Alaska’s mainland and Russia has endowed the port with a unique heritage and history as the only American port besides Pearl Harbor to be bombed during World War II.

Today Dutch Harbor is one of the richest fishing ports in the US, bringing in huge harvests of pollock, cod, and most famously, Alaskan king crab, as documented on the hit series Deadliest Catch. The vast marine life of this area attracts more than 40 million seabirds to the region, making Dutch Harbor a birder’s paradise. Bald eagles, short-tailed albatross, and horned puffins—all share the bounty of these waters with sea lions, sea otters, harbor porpoises, and humpback whales. Take a charter boat to see these majestic creatures for yourself, or take to the water in a sea-kayak for an up-close look.

Dubbed the birthplace of winds, not even Dutch Harbor’s occasional bout of foul weather can stop you from enjoying its beauty. There’s a ceaseless list of things to see and do. Hiking, mountain biking, and skiing are all viable options, and there’s no shortage of sightseeing. Visit the port’s most stunning example of architecture, a 17^th century Russian Orthodox cathedral. Take a walk around Bunker Hill or mountain bike the trails around Sitka Spruce Park. Whatever way you choose to explore Dutch Harbor, it’s sure to be breathtaking.