Lighthouse
next to Harrigan Centennial Hall
Thank you for coming. I will be at the dock when you arrive.
I was born here — Sitka, Alaska. I grew up running boats up and down this coastline before I learned how to ride a bike. Before I understood what that meant. Before I knew the ocean was teaching me something I would spend the rest of my life using. It doesn't negotiate. It doesn't care about your plans. You learn to read it, or you learn the hard way. That is still how I move through the world.
I have spent twenty-five years in commercial fishing and tourism — building things, walking away from things, and building again. Through all of it, I kept coming back to the same truth: that what people are really looking for, whether they know it or not, is connection. To a place. To each other. To themselves. This coastline has a way of delivering that whether you asked for it or not.
A friend told me to go look at the lighthouse. I almost didn't go. But I drove to the dock anyway, stepped off the boat onto that island, and called the owner before I had even walked through the door. I told him I was going to buy it.
The previous owner, Burgess Bauder, had built it in 1983 — eighteen months, by himself, on a one-acre private island in the middle of Sitka Sound. By the time I found it, it needed some love. The remodel took six months. We worked around the clock in the dead of winter, because when your business sits on a private island, your season doesn't wait.
On the day I checked in the first guests, I got them settled, climbed back into my skiff, and headed home across the channel. Somewhere on that water, it hit me.
I hadn't revived the Rockwell Lighthouse. The Rockwell Lighthouse had revived me. Whatever I thought I was doing for this place — it had already done more for me. The lessons from that season are permanently imprinted, and I carry them every single day.
That was when I understood what this place was actually for — and who I was supposed to be inside it.
I love to check in our guests because there is nothing in my life quite like watching someone walk up that dock ramp and see this place for the first time. The red roof. The mountains at its back. The water on every side. Every person arrives a little differently — some wide-eyed, some quiet, some already emotional before they've put their bags down. I have watched this light affect people in ways I never could have predicted, and it is still my honor, every single time, to be the one who opens the door.
We have hosted guests from every corner of the world. Some came to celebrate. Some came to grieve. Some came alone because they needed to remember who they were when nobody was watching. Every kind of experience has moved through that door — and every single one of those guests left something with me, too.
I am the keeper of this lighthouse. I hold it for this community, for the people who find their way here, and for whoever tends it long after I do.
I will see you at the dock.
I hope this place gives you what you came for. I hope it gives you a few things you didn't know you needed, too. I hope that when you leave, you carry something of this coastline with you — the quiet of it, the scale of it, the way it slows you down whether you planned on it or not. There are very few places left in the world that can still do that. You found one of them.
Holly is a second-generation Sitkan who has spent her career building something here worth staying for. After earning her degree in Business Tourism from Arizona State University, she worked in cruise ship logistics in Juneau before returning home to Sitka in 2021 — where she served as General Manager of Aspen Suites Hotel, building a team recognized for exceptional guest experience.
In 2025, she became a small business owner herself, further investing in the community she's always called home. She has served on the Greater Sitka Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors since 2022.
Holly is your point of contact for excursions, logistics, and anything you need before and during your stay.
Teal checks in every guest personally. It's her favorite part of the job, and she wouldn't have it any other way. You'll meet her at the dock.
- Book your flights — arrive before 5:00 PM on check-in day, depart after 9:00 AM on check-out day
- Complete the About Your Stay form — helps us personalize your experience
- Order groceries from Sea Mart — follow the instructions below
- Sign your rental agreement — arrives from Square in your inbox
- Consider trip insurance — link in your booking confirmation
- Review check-in information and share this guide with your party
Go to seamart.com and place your order at least 3 days before arrival. Request all items packed in boxes (not bags). In the order notes write: "Sitka Lighthouse guest — check-in [YOUR CHECK-IN DATE]. Please pack all items in boxes." Select your check-in day as pickup date. Pay by credit card and select curbside pickup.
Alcohol must be ordered separately. Email holly@sitkalighthouse.com with your full order. Be as detailed as possible — brands, varietals, quantities, preferences. We'll get as close to your preferences as Sitka allows. You'll be invoiced before check-out.
A temperate one — think Seattle, but a touch cooler and a little wilder. Summers run 50–55°F. Rain is common. Come prepared and it becomes part of the experience.
Clothing layers · Raincoat and windbreaker · Hiking shoes · Hat and gloves · Swimsuit · Sunglasses
Aspen Suites Hotel Sitka — Holly's top pick. Full kitchenettes, central location, walking distance to harbor.
Sitka Hotel & Restaurant — 118 Lincoln St. Harbor views, on-site restaurant, free airport shuttle.
Southeast Resort (formerly Westmark) — Overlooks Crescent Harbor. Cold Water Bar & Grill on site.
Everything for your arrival has been pre-arranged. You do not need to contact our shuttle or water taxi providers directly.
Your shuttle meets you outside the terminal door. Look for your driver holding a Sitka Lighthouse logo sign. They have your phone number and will text if they can't reach you.
Your driver takes you and your luggage to 330 Harbor Drive. Arriving before 3:45 PM? We can store your luggage so you can explore town hands-free.
Covered shelter at the top of the blue ramp — 330 Harbor Drive, next to Harrigan Centennial Hall. Look for our Sitka Lighthouse sign.
A 6-minute covered boat ride to Rockwell Island. Teal will meet you, walk you through the property, and get you settled.
Main Floor — Kitchen, living room, dining room, full bathroom. Guests with mobility needs should stay on this floor.
Second Floor — Queen master bedroom.
Third Floor — Four-person bunk room with half bath.
The Cupola — 360° views of Sitka Sound. No shoes or food in the tower.
We rely on a rain catchment cistern. Please take shorter showers, run full loads only, and turn off the tap when brushing teeth.
Use the large green can next to the shed. Never leave garbage outside. At check-out, hand bags to the water taxi captain.
Both run on propane. Turn on propane at the canister before igniting. Extra canisters in the shed at the top of the dock ramp.
Swimwear only. No glass. No submerging head. Hair tied up. Children under 16 supervised. Add half a cap of spa shock after each use. Strap lid down when not in use.
4 kayaks on site. Always wear a life jacket. Stay close to shore. Be aware of surge at the dock when getting in and out.
Drinking water is available on site. Additional bottled water can be ordered through Sea Mart with your groceries.
WiFi: Moxee / 961a7b66 — keep the MiFi device plugged in at all times.
TV: Netflix and Amazon Prime — use guest profile. No purchases on our accounts.
Heat: Use the heat pump remote in the kitchen.
The lighthouse is fully stocked. Pack light — here's everything waiting for you.
Coffee · Tea · Sugar · Flour · Cooking oil · Basic spices · Salt & pepper
Pots and pans · Blender · Microwave · Toaster · Coffee maker · Kettle · Cutting boards · Knives · Can opener · Bottle & wine opener · Baking sheets · Mixing bowls · Colander · Serving utensils · Plates, bowls, glasses, and cutlery for 6
Dish soap · Sponge · Dishwasher detergent · Trash bags · Paper towels · Laundry detergent · Iron & ironing board · Hangers
Towels · Hand towels · Shampoo · Conditioner · Body wash · Hand soap · Hair dryer · Toilet paper · First aid kit
Bedding and pillows for all sleeping areas · Extra blankets · Robes
Smart TV (Netflix & Amazon Prime) · Books · Blankets for the deck
4 kayaks · Life jackets · Lighthouse tender · Fire pit · BBQ grill · Hot tub · Propane + extra canisters · BBQ tools
Text Holly at 907-738-3542 and we'll do our best to have it ready.
We ask that you treat the lighthouse the way you'd want your own home treated.
- Guest limit: Maximum 6 guests. Overnight visitors must be in the original booking.
- No smoking: Tobacco, cannabis, e-cigarettes — strictly prohibited on the premises.
- No pets: Not permitted on the island at any time.
- Shoes: Remove before entering. No shoes in the tower.
- Kitchen: No deep frying (including fish) inside.
- Tower: No food or shoes. Use anti-slip socks on stairs.
- Children: Supervised at all times. Life jackets on dock and in tender.
- Cleanliness: Load dishes into dishwasher and clear kitchen counters before departure.
- Conserve water throughout your stay.
The Lighthouse Tender is yours to use for travel between the lighthouse and Crescent Harbor — approximately 10 minutes by boat. Equipped with a 25HP Honda engine, steering wheel, and console.
At the lighthouse: Park on the south side of the dock. Keep north side open for the water taxi.
At Crescent Harbor: Use stall #9 — look for the Sitka Lighthouse sign. Drive under the blue walk-down bridge.
No one under 21 may operate the tender · No alcohol or drugs while operating · All passengers must have a life jacket · Children must wear theirs at all times · Do not take the tender if town is not visible · No use in white-capping conditions · For travel to and from town only · No fishing from the tender · Turn off engine after parking · In an emergency: call 911
No Uber or Lyft in Sitka.
Sitka Shuttle — Marible · 907-623-2282
E-Bikes · Yellow Jersey Cycle
Sitka Tours · sitkatoursalaska.com
Humpback whales returning. Bald eagles nesting. Wildflowers at their peak.
Peak wildlife. Salmon runs, humpbacks in force, sea otters in the kelp. Light until nearly 10 PM.
The sound quiets. Gold light earlier in the evening. Coho running.
Bald eagles — always. Steller sea lions. Otters in the channel most mornings. Ravens. Herons.
#sitkalighthouse
Tag your photos for a chance to win Lighthouse swag.
Eco & wildlife tours · Charter fishing (salmon, halibut) · Guided kayaking · Whale watching · Zodiac tours · Walking tours · Boat rentals
Contact Holly to arrange any excursion.
- Sitka National Historical Park — Totem Park. The 1804 battle site. Haida & Tlingit totems through old-growth rainforest.
- St. Michael's Cathedral — Russian Orthodox cathedral. Houses rare art and icons.
- Alaska Raptor Center — Up close with bald eagles and birds of prey.
- Sitka Sound Science Center — Aquarium, wet lab, and fish hatchery.
- Castle Hill — Site of the 1867 transfer of Alaska to the United States.
- Sheet'ka Kwáan Naa Kahídi House — Traditional Tlingit clan house. Native Dancers perform in summer.
- Fortress of the Bears — Brown bear rescue sanctuary. Shuttle via 907-623-2282.
For a full list of things to do, go to visitsitka.org
Order at seamart.com · 3 days before arrival · Request boxes · Note you are a Sitka Lighthouse guest · Curbside pickup · Pay by credit card
Email holly@sitkalighthouse.com · Subject: ATTN: [LAST NAME] — Beverage Order — [CHECK-IN DATE]. Billed at checkout.
If you hear sirens: take the tender to the harbor and walk to higher ground toward Sitka High School. Teal will contact you immediately. Stay put until she confirms a safety plan.
We recommend MedEvac coverage through Life Flight or Guardian Flight. SEARHC sometimes transfers patients to Anchorage or Seattle.
Transportation has been pre-arranged. No need to confirm pick-up times.
Arrives 15 minutes before scheduled pick-up. Be ready with luggage staged outside 15 minutes early. If running late, text Holly immediately.
Upon return to the harbor, our shuttle takes you to the airport. If your flight leaves at 6 PM or later, we can store bags.
- Dishes loaded in dishwasher or clean and returned to their place
- Kitchen counters cleared of all food
- Trash in green can or given to water taxi captain
- Dirty robes and dish towels by the front door
- Fire pit cover secured
- BBQ cover secured
- Load of towels started in the washing machine if possible
- Hot tub lid secured and strapped down
- Empty propane tanks brought to dock for the water taxi captain
- Final check for belongings
- Sign the guestbook
- Do not lock the front door
The Sitka Lighthouse is an independent, woman-owned property. A review means more than you know — it's how people find us.
Tag your photos with #sitkalighthouse for a chance to win Lighthouse swag.
10% off your next booking · Code: SPECIALGUEST · sitkalighthouse.com
15% off merchandise · Code: LIGHTHOUSE · shopsitkalighthouse.com
Home With You
Use at checkout at shopsitkalighthouse.com
Stop in and browse before you head home. Our store carries Sitka Lighthouse branded apparel, gifts, and goods.