Kodiak, Alaska
$995,000
159.98± Acres
INTRODUCTION
Dry Spruce Island is a pristine and secluded island located in the Kupreanof Strait, located between Raspberry Island and the Kupreanof Peninsula of Kodiak Island in southern Alaska. Part of the rugged Kodiak Archipelago, this small, forested island remains untouched by development and modern infrastructure, offering an authentic glimpse of Alaska’s raw, coastal wilderness. Its unique status as a Native Allotment—federally protected land held in trust for an Alaska Native and their heirs—underscores its cultural importance and ensures its preservation for future generations.
The island lies within the traditional territory of the Alutiiq (Sugpiaq) people, whose deep connection to the land and sea has shaped life in the archipelago for thousands of years. Covered in dense stands of Sitka spruce and edged by rocky, weather-beaten shorelines, Dry Spruce Island is a sanctuary of natural beauty and ecological diversity. The island supports a range of wildlife, from bald eagles and sea otters to coastal brown bears. The surrounding waters teem with salmon, halibut, and other marine life vital to local subsistence and cultural practices.
Access to Dry Spruce Island is limited to boat or floatplane, which has helped shield it from tourism and development pressures. This isolation provides a rare opportunity for solitude and reflection, where visitors can engage in low-impact activities such as kayaking, wildlife observation, or simply experiencing the serenity of untouched nature.
As a symbol of Alaska’s enduring wilderness and Indigenous stewardship, Dry Spruce Island represents more than just a remote parcel of land—it is a living link to the cultural and natural heritage of the Kodiak Archipelago. With its unspoiled landscapes and protected status, the island stands as a rare treasure in a rapidly changing world.
1 Dry Spruce Island | Kodiak, Alaska
QUICK FACTS
• 159.98± acres
• Waterfront on both Dry Spruce Bay and Kupreanof Strait
• Located in the Kupreanof Strait, between Raspberry Island and the Kupreanof Peninsula of Kodiak Island
• Designated as a Native Allotment
• Part of the ancestral lands of the Alutiiq (Sugpiaq) people, with a rich Indigenous heritage
• Forested with Sitka spruce
• Home to bald eagles, sea otters, coastal brown bears, and surrounded by waters rich in salmon, halibut, and other marine life
• Reachable by boat or floatplane
• Ideal for kayaking, wildlife viewing, photography, and experiencing untouched Alaskan wilderness
• Located in Kodiak Brown Bear Hunt Area 26
• World-class fishing for king salmon (May–June), halibut, ling cod, silver salmon, and more
• With its unique features and size, the island is a prime location for a fishing lodge, eco-retreat, or executive getaway
Dry Spruce Island | Kodiak, Alaska
ACREAGE
This exceptional 159.98± acre offering on Dry Spruce Island presents a stunning expanse of pristine, forested wilderness nestled in the Kupreanof Strait, between Raspberry Island and the Kupreanof Peninsula in the Kodiak Island Borough. The landscape features a captivating mix of rocky, weathered shorelines and dense stands of Sitka spruce, offering a rare opportunity to own a piece of Alaska’s untamed coastal beauty.
TIMBERLAND
Dry Spruce Island is covered in mature timber, primarily composed of Sitka spruce, a signature species of Alaska’s coastal forests. These dense woodlands create a vital habitat for various wildlife, including bald eagles, coastal brown bears, and a rich array of marine and terrestrial species, reflecting the island’s ecological significance within the Kodiak Archipelago.
5 Dry Spruce Island | Kodiak, Alaska
SCENIC VISTAS
The landscape surrounding Dry Spruce Island in the Kodiak Archipelago offers a striking mix of rugged shorelines, towering Sitka spruce forests, and the sweeping, cold waters of the Kupreanof Strait. Flanked by Raspberry Island and the Kupreanof Peninsula, the area retains a distinctly remote and undeveloped character. Wildlife is abundant, with regular sightings of bald eagles, sea otters, marine mammals, and coastal brown bears along the shore. With its wide-open views and raw natural features, Dry Spruce Island captures the untamed beauty and solitude of Alaska’s coastal wilderness.
www.fayranches.com | 800.238.8616 | info@fayranches.com
Dry Spruce Island | Kodiak, Alaska
INCOME OPPORTUNITY
Dry Spruce Island presents a rare income opportunity for those seeking to invest in Alaska’s remote, untouched wilderness. Situated in the Kupreanof Strait between Raspberry Island and the Kupreanof Peninsula, this property offers exceptional potential for sustainable, low-impact ventures. Its isolation and natural beauty make it ideal for ecotourism, including guided wildlife tours, off-grid retreats, and exclusive vacation rentals for travelers seeking solitude and authenticity. Surrounded by rich marine life and old-growth Sitka spruce forests, unique value is added for conservationfocused initiatives. Dry Spruce Island offers an exclusive Alaskan experience that can generate revenue while preserving its ecological and cultural integrity.
RECREATION
The area surrounding Dry Spruce Island offers exceptional recreational opportunities, making it a haven for outdoor enthusiasts seeking an authentic Alaskan experience. The island’s surrounding waters are rich with salmon, halibut, and rockfish, attracting anglers searching for world-class fishing. Whale watching is a seasonal highlight, with humpback and orca whales often spotted in the Kupreanof Strait, along with sea lions, otters, and porpoises.
The island’s rugged shoreline and dense Sitka spruce forests provide a stunning backdrop for kayaking, wildlife viewing, and photography. Hunters can pursue Sitka black-tailed deer and waterfowl in the nearby coastal terrain. Secluded and undeveloped, Dry Spruce Island offers a true backcountry escape in the heart of the Kodiak Archipelago.
Photo not taken on property
Photo taken at the mouth of a salmon stream on Raspberry Island
Dry Spruce Island | Kodiak, Alaska
HUNTING | WILDLIFE
Hunting around Dry Spruce Island and the surrounding Kodiak area offers an exceptional experience for those seeking big game and remote wilderness adventure. The region is renowned for its population of Sitka black-tailed deer, which thrive in the dense spruce forests and rugged coastal hills of Kodiak, Raspberry, and the surrounding islands. For waterfowl enthusiasts, the coastal waters provide excellent opportunities to hunt sea ducks such as harlequin, scoters, and goldeneyes, particularly during the migratory seasons. These hunts are often conducted by boat, adding an extra layer of challenge and immersion in Alaska’s coastal environment.
The Kodiak Archipelago is also home to the legendary Kodiak brown bear, one of the largest carnivores in the world. These bears are hunted under strict regulation, with non-residents required to draw a permit and use a registered guide. Hunts take place in spring and fall and are highly sought-after due to the bear’s size, rarity, and the demanding nature of the terrain. While Dry Spruce Island itself is a Native Allotment with access restrictions, the surrounding public lands and waters of the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge and state lands offer plentiful hunting opportunities. With its challenging terrain, diverse game species, and remote wilderness setting, the area around Dry Spruce Island stands as one of Alaska’s premier hunting destinations.
Photo not taken on property
Photo not taken on property
FISHING
Fishing around Dry Spruce Island and the greater Kodiak area is a premier Alaskan experience, offering access to some of the richest marine and freshwater habitats in the state. Anglers are drawn to the region for its abundant Pacific salmon— king (Chinook), silver (Coho), pink, sockeye, and chum—which migrate through the surrounding straits and inlets from late spring through early fall. The nearby Kupreanof Strait and deeper waters around Raspberry and Kodiak Islands provide exceptional fishing for halibut, as well as rockfish, lingcod, and Pacific cod, making for productive outings by charter or private boat. Inland, rivers and streams on Kodiak and Raspberry Islands offer strong runs of salmon and Dolly Varden trout, particularly during spawning seasons. Many fishing spots are accessible only by boat or floatplane, preserving the area’s remote and wild character. Rugged coastlines, dense Sitka spruce forests, and abundant wildlife add to the appeal, creating an unforgettable and immersive angling adventure in one of Alaska’s most diverse and rewarding fishing destinations.
Photo not taken on property
Photo not taken on property
Dry Spruce Island | Kodiak, Alaska
AREA HISTORY
Dry Spruce Island, located in the Kupreanof Strait between Raspberry Island and the Kupreanof Peninsula of Kodiak Island, holds a modest but intriguing place in the historical narrative of Alaska’s exploration during the Russian colonial period. The island was named “Poluostrov Sukhago Yelnika” by Sub-Lieutenant Murashev of the Imperial Russian Navy in either 1839 or 1840 when Russian influence in the region was at its peak. The name translates from Russian as “dry spruce peninsula,” suggesting a prominent presence of spruce trees or a distinctive ecological contrast with nearby wetter or denser forested areas.
Though the name uses the word “peninsula,” this was likely based on geographic conditions observed at the time. Notably, Russian Hydrographic Department Chart 1425, published in 1949, depicts a sandbar connecting Dry Spruce Island to the northern coast of Kodiak Island, indicating that the island may have been periodically or seasonally joined to the mainland by natural sediment deposits. These coastal features are uncommon in Alaska’s dynamic marine environments, where tides, currents, and seasonal ice shifts can dramatically alter shorelines and island access.
The naming by Murashev reflects the Russian Empire’s systematic charting and exploration of Alaska, primarily driven by the fur trade and territorial interests. Officers like Murashev were tasked with mapping the rugged and largely unmapped coasts of Russian America, and their records form the foundation of many modern geographical names and charts still in use today.
Though not a center of settlement or trade, Dry Spruce Island’s documentation by Russian naval officers highlights its role in the broader context of maritime navigation and resource mapping. Its recorded name and cartographic history are enduring traces of the Russian imperial legacy that shaped much of Alaska’s early colonial history.
Kodiak Island
Russian Navy in Alaska
Dry Spruce Island | Kodiak, Alaska
NEARBY ATTRACTIONS & ACTIVITIES
• Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge
Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge spans over 1.9 million acres across Kodiak, Uganik, Ban, and Afognak Islands, providing habitat for Kodiak brown bears, bald eagles, and salmon-rich streams. The refuge offers opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, photography, and backcountry exploration in a remote and wild setting.
• Fort Abercrombie State Historical Park
Located just north of Kodiak, Fort Abercrombie State Historical Park features WWII-era bunkers, coastal cliffs, and scenic hiking trails, making it a popular spot for whale watching, birding, and oceanview picnicking.
• Alutiiq Museum & Archaeological Repository (Kodiak City)
The Alutiiq Museum in Kodiak preserves the culture and history of the Alutiiq (Sugpiaq) people, featuring exhibits with ancient artifacts, traditional clothing, tools, and interactive cultural displays.
Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge - Photo not taken on property
• Afognak and Raspberry Islands
Raspberry Island, just north of Kodiak Island and reachable by boat or floatplane, is known for brown bear viewing, fishing, kayaking, and remote wilderness lodges that offer lodgebased eco-tourism experiences.
• Cape Chiniak and Fossil Beach
Cape Alitak, on southeast Kodiak Island, offers dramatic coastal scenery, beachcombing, WWII relics, and opportunities for fossil hunting along its remote shores.
• Kodiak Fisheries Research Center
The Kodiak Fisheries Research Center is a public education center highlighting the island’s marine resources, with aquariums, fishery exhibits, and information on sustainable fishing practices.
• Russian Orthodox Church & Baranov Museum (Kodiak City)
Kodiak’s Russian colonial heritage is preserved through landmarks like St. Herman’s Chapel, the Holy Resurrection Cathedral, and the Kodiak History Museum, formerly the Baranov Museum, housed in one of Alaska’s oldest buildings.
Kodiak Military History Museum - Photo not taken on property
Holy Resurrection Church - Photo not taken on property
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Dry Spruce Island | Kodiak, Alaska
CLIMATE
The climate around Dry Spruce Island is characterized by a cool maritime climate featuring mild temperatures, high humidity, and frequent precipitation. Winters typically range from the mid-20s to the low 40s, with rain and snow common. Summers are typically cool, with temperatures ranging from the 50s to the mid-60s. The area experiences regular cloud cover, fog, and steady winds, contributing to a temperate rainforest environment.
Climate charts courtesy of https://www.city-data.com/city/Kodiak-Alaska.html
GETTING THERE
The boat ride from Kodiak to Dry Spruce Island typically takes 1.5 to 2.5 hours, depending on the type of vessel, weather conditions, and the departure point from Kodiak. A float plane ride from Kodiak to Dry Spruce Island takes approximately 15 to 30 minutes, depending on weather conditions and the departure point from Kodiak.
LOCATION
Dry Spruce Island is located off the northern coast of Kodiak Island in the Kupreanof Strait between Raspberry Island and the Kupreanof Peninsula, part of the Kodiak Archipelago in southern Alaska.
AIRPORT SERVICES
Fly to Kodiak Benny Benson State Airport via Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport; charter a floatplane or boat to the island.
MINERAL RIGHTS
All mineral rights appurtenant to the property and owned by the seller will convey to the buyer at closing. Mineral rights are not guaranteed. It is suggested that the buyer conduct a mineral search with a title company.
CONSERVATION | STEWARDSHIP
Each of us at Fay loves the land and wants to see it remain a productive agricultural ground and a quality fish and wildlife habitat. Through promoting thoughtful land stewardship, Fay has guided owners toward a legacy of conserving wide-open spaces, enhancing and creating fisheries and wildlife habitats, and implementing sustainable agricultural operations. Fay is proud to say that since our company began in 1992, our clients’ conservation ethics and land-use practices have significantly enhanced our work landscape.
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Dry Spruce Island | Kodiak, Alaska
Dry Spruce Island is a remote, undeveloped island in Alaska’s Kupreanof Strait, nestled between Raspberry Island and the Kupreanof Peninsula of Kodiak Island. As part of the Kodiak Archipelago, this forested Native Allotment remains protected and culturally significant to the Alutiiq (Sugpiaq) people, whose ties to the land span generations. The island’s dense Sitka spruce, rugged shoreline, and abundant wildlife—including bald eagles, sea otters, and coastal brown bears—make it a sanctuary of ecological diversity. Surrounded by salmon- and halibut-rich waters, Dry Spruce Island offers rare, low-impact recreational opportunities like kayaking and wildlife viewing. Accessible only by boat or floatplane, it stands as a symbol of Alaska’s enduring wilderness and Indigenous stewardship.
Dry Spruce Island | Kodiak, Alaska
This is an exclusive co-listing with Fay Ranches and Top Shelf Realty LLC. Please contact Troy Dana at (360) 402-5500 | tdana@fayranches.com or Yvan Corbin at (907) 301-0875 | yvan@alaskatopshelfrealty.com to schedule a showing. An agent from Fay Ranches or Top Shelf Realty LLC must be present at all showings unless otherwise noted or other arrangements are made. To view other properties we have listed, please visit our web page at www.fayranches.com.
$995,000 Cash
Conventional Financing 1031 Exchange
Offer is subject to errors, omissions, prior sale, change or withdrawal without notice, and approval of purchase by owner. Information regarding land classification, carrying capacities, maps, etc., is intended only as a general guideline and has been provided by the owners and other sources deemed reliable, but the accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Prospective purchasers are encouraged to research the information to their own satisfaction.
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