It's a 1-hour flight from Anchorage to Kodiak on Alaska Airlines (tel. 800/252-7522; www.alaskaair.com). A round-trip ticket from Anchorage costs around $400. ERA Aviation (tel. 800/866-8394, ext. 8386; www.flyera.com) also serves the route with prop aircraft, which may save a little money. A cab from A&B Taxi (tel. 907/486-4343) or Big Bear Taxi and Charters (tel. 907/942-4141) costs about $20 from the airport downtown.

The ferries Tustumena and Kennicott, of the Alaska Marine Highway System (tel. 800/642-0066 or 907/486-3800; www.ferryalaska.com), serve Kodiak from Homer, the closest port with a road. The run takes 10 hours, but it is truly memorable. The vessels leave land behind and thread through the strange and exposed Barren Islands, often seeing whales and porpoises on the way. The ocean can be quite rough, and when it is, lots of passengers get seasick. A cabin is a good idea for an overnight run. Without a cabin, the adult passenger fare from Homer is $74. Fares for children 6 to 12 are half price on all ferries, free for 5 and under. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staffs the ferry with a naturalist on runs to Kodiak.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.