This protected bay some 15 miles south of Sitka is a great destination to see birds and bears, or for anyone looking to spend some time on the water. The trip here is among islands and rocky outcroppings, which means the water is fairly smooth and protected.
Redoubt Bay itself is a beautiful, glacial-carved inlet with steep walls dropping into deep, dark saltwater, where you may see whales, seals, and sea otters. There are often bald eagles perched in the forested hillsides, and the head of the bay is dotted with waterfalls and streams from Redoubt Lake. Separated from the bay by uplift following the last Ice Age, this body of water is home to sockeye, pink, and chum salmon, which run up the numerous watersheds to the lake. The largest stream is blocked by a fish weir; state biologists use it to study the sockeye run, and brown bears use it for a prime dining spot. When they’re here—from July to September—it’s one of the best bear-viewing opportunities around.
