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Stephens Passage

Book 8 · Chapter 9
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Stephens Passage

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This chapter describes Stephens Passage, Holkham Bay, Endicott Arm, Tracy Arm, Taku Harbor, Gastineau Channel, Auke Bay, Tee Harbor and the city of Juneau, including the communities of Douglas and Auke Bay.


Stephens Passage

extends from its junction with Frederick Sound at Cape Fanshaw () in a general north-northwest direction for about 88 miles to Shelter Island, which divides it into two channels, Saginaw Channel and Favorite Channel, and connects it with Lynn Canal. Numerous islands are in both entrances to the passage, but otherwise it is open, deep and generally free from dangers.


Anchorages

The waters of Stephens Passage and its branches are generally deep, and there are few good anchorages. Anchorage can be had in Cleveland Passage, Gambier Bay, Seymour Canal, Taku Harbor, Gastineau Channel, Young Bay, Fritz Cove, Auke Bay, Barlow Cove, Tee Harbor and Eagle Harbor. Temporary anchorage can also be found in Port Houghton, Hobart Bay, Sanford Cove (Endicott Arm), Limestone Inlet, Taku Inlet and Adams Anchorage.


Currents

The flood current enters Stephens Passage from both ends and meets in varying places west of Point Arden; the ebb current flows in the opposite direction. The velocity of the current is 0.5 to 2 knots. In Saginaw Channel, the current frequently ebbs throughout the day when the Moon is in quadrature. The ebb current in this channel is considerably stronger than the flood. The currents have considerable velocity in the entrance to all the larger bays and inlets that make off from Stephens Passage, causing tide rips and swirls. (See the Tidal Current Tables for daily predictions of places in Stephens Passage.)


Weather

The prevailing winds are southeast throughout the year. During the winter the winds are more variable and winds from the northeast quarter may prevail, particularly in January. Southeast gales may occur at any season, but they are more frequent and more severe in winter than in summer. Fog may occur at any time but is more frequent during the winter, reaching its maximum in January. The least fog occurs during April to July, inclusive, the minimum being in May.


Ice

Ice is discharged from glaciers in Tracy and Endicott Arms, is always found in Holkham Bay and is prevalent in Stephens Passage off the entrance to that bay. Occasional pieces of ice may be expected in all parts of the passage. In daytime with clear weather it is not a serious menace to navigation, but it is dangerous at night or in thick weather.


Cape Fenshaw to Steamboat Bay

, on the east side at the junction of Stephens Passage and Frederick Sound, is a long, low, wooded point terminating in a sandspit, with a reef and rocks at the extreme end and deep water within 0.2 mile.

Cape Fanshaw Light (), 33 feet above the water, is shown from a skeleton tower with a red and white diamond-shaped daymark on the point of the cape.

, on the northeast side of Cape Fanshaw, is connected with Cleveland Passage by South Passage. Anchorage can be made in the southeast side at the head, about 600 yards offshore and 0.5 mile southwest of Whitney Island in 12 to 15 fathoms, sand and shell bottom, sheltered from northeast and southeast winds.

, about 1.5 miles north of Cape Fanshaw, consist of a wooded island and several rocks; the southernmost, , is grass covered and marked by a light on the south side. A ledge extends about 300 yards west-northwest of Bird Rock. A grass-covered rock is between the larger Storm Island and Bird Rock. A 3¾-fathom shoal was reported about 300 yards northeast of the light marking Bird Rock in about There is no safe passage through Storm Islands and adjoining rocks, and the passage between Storm Islands and Whitney Island is narrowed to about 0.6 mile by a ledge awash at half tide 0.2 mile northeast of the north end of Storm Islands.

, wooded, forms the northeast shore of Fanshaw Bay and the west shore of Cleveland Passage. , the south point of the island, and , the north point, are marked by lights.

, separating Whitney Island from the mainland, is 0.5 mile wide and affords good anchorage near its southeast end. The depths vary from 8 fathoms at its southeast end to over 70 fathoms at the northwest end. A rocky shoal, covered 1¼ fathoms, is reported about 250 yards off the west shore of the passage about 0.9 mile north of Duck Point. The anchorage is about 0.8 mile north of the narrowest part of South Passage, favoring the east shore, in 12 to 20 fathoms, soft bottom; take care to keep clear of East Spit. Small craft find anchorage in 4 to 8 fathoms east and north of East Spit. Winds from west to north bring in a slight swell but do not seem to blow home with any force. Winds from southeast, however, blow down from the mountains with great force during the southeast blows in Frederick Sound.

The entrance from northwest is much safer because a midchannel course leads safely to the anchorage. has a midchannel depth of 11 fathoms. At the north end of South Passage are and , projecting north and northeast, respectively. East Spit is about 0.25 mile into the southeast end of Cleveland Passage. A rock is at the east end of West Spit.

Small boats can find anchorage east of Duck Point close to the mainland in 10 to 12 fathoms with protection from northeast and southeast blows.

The tidal currents have a velocity of 1 to 2 knots in South Passage. See the Tidal Current prediction service at tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov for specific information about times, directions, and velocities of the current at numerous locations throughout the area. Links to a user guide for this service can be found in chapter 1 of this book.

is 1 mile north-northeast of Whitney Island and has Foot Island on its north side. is the south point and the north point at the entrance. The bay has generally deep water except for a reef that uncovers, about 400 yards north of McNairy Point, and has an advantage as an anchorage near Cleveland Passage. is connected with a rocky reef at the head of the bay by a sandspit. The narrow passage on the northeast side of Foot Island might afford shelter to small craft in 7 to 10 fathoms, abreast the middle of the island.


The Five Fingers to McDonald Rock

, about 6 miles north-northwest of Cape Fanshaw, are a group of islets, the larger ones wooded, and ledges that extend about 3 miles in a northwest direction and about 1.5 miles wide. The southeast islet is marked by Five Finger Light (), 81 feet above the water and shown from a white concrete tower rising from the center of a building. A reef, covered at high water, extends 300 yards southwest from the light.

, the north island of the group, is wooded and the largest. Rocks are about 1 mile to the west. Deepwater channels are on all sides of the group.

, about 5.3 miles northwest of Five Finger Light, is wooded. It has two hummocks with low land between and is conspicuous when approaching from the north. At the south end are two small islets and a rock awash. A 3-knot current has been observed over a 6¼-fathom shoal 1.0 mile to the north-northeast of the northern tip of Sail Island.

is on the west side of Stephens Passage, about 9.5 miles northwest of Five Finger Light. A daybeacon marks the point 1 mile to the south-southwest of False Point Pybus.

on the east side of Stephens Passage, about 7.3 miles north of Cape Fanshaw, is the west extremity of the west wooded islet on the south side of the entrance to Port Houghton. The shores of the bight southeast of the point are foul.

is an extensive bay, about 9 miles above Cape Fanshaw. are a group of islands forming the south point of the entrance. The waters of Port Houghton are very deep and afford no shelter for large craft. A good small-craft anchorage may be found in , which is a long narrow arm southeast of , in 8 fathoms, soft bottom. This is a good winter anchorage if ice does not bother. A midchannel course into it is clear. The proximity of Cleveland Passage makes it unnecessary to use Port Houghton for anchorage except in winter. A reef is reported to extend about 0.5 mile north from the north side of Walter Island. In 1971, rocks awash were reported off the unnamed point, on the south side of the bay about 3.5 miles east-northeast of Walter Island; caution is advised in this area because depths and character of bottom are not totally known. The chart is the best guide.

is in the broad part of Stephens Passage, about 8.8 miles north of Five Finger Light; it is small, has 3¼ fathoms over it with deep water close-to, and is marked by a lighted buoy on its north side. The range of the southeast tangent of East Brother over the middle of Sail Island crosses this dangerous rock, which is almost directly in the track of vessels from Cape Fanshaw through Stephens Passage.


The Twins to Chuck River

are two wooded islets on the east side of Stephens Passage about 9.8 miles north-northeast of Five Finger Light, and off the entrance to Hobart Bay.

, on the north side of , has its entrance about 14 miles north of Cape Fanshaw and 3 miles east of The Twins. A pinnacle rock, covered 3½ fathoms, is on the north side of Hobart Bay entrance about 1.1 miles west of Entrance Island in about A light about 0.3 mile offshore marks the south side of the entrance to the bay.

, 458 feet high, is in the entrance to Hobart Bay. A small islet is 0.1 mile north of the island. A small bay, suitable for small craft, indents the southeast side of the island for about 300 yards. A house on the neck of land that forms the south side of the entrance to the small bay is prominent when coming around the south side of the island from west. A state-maintained 100-foot-long small-craft and seaplane float is near the head of the small bay off the southwest shore. The float is connected to shore by a long log catwalk that is reported to be in poor condition. The float is used primarily as a weather layover facility. In 1976, depths of 15 feet were reported alongside the float. A privately owned radiotelephone is available on shore in an emergency.

About 0.5 mile northeast of Entrance Island, projecting points narrow the entrance into the inner bay. Bars, on which there are rocks, extend from the points of this entrance, leaving a navigable channel about 100 yards wide and 5½ fathoms deep into the inner bay. A rock with 1 fathom over it has been reported about 0.5 mile north-northeast of the south point at the entrance to the inner bay.

Just within the entrance to the inner bay, a narrow arm leads northwest to a basin, where a constricted anchorage in 10 fathoms may be found. In entering this basin, pass close east of the rocky islets just inside the entrance.

The channel leading to the basin at the head of the bay is very narrow. Heavy overfalls at the end of the narrow passage are dangerous for small craft, except during a short period at slack water.

Temporary anchorage may be found in 27 fathoms, soft bottom, northeast of Entrance Island, with the north point of the entrance to Hobart Bay in range with the south shore of the small islet north of Entrance Island. Temporary anchorage may also be found in the bight southeast of Entrance Island in 17 fathoms, soft bottom, about 0.2 mile from a fine sand beach. The north tangent of the easternmost of The Twins just shuts with the south tangent of the westernmost of The Twins.


Caution

The foregoing information relative to anchorages has been obtained from a source considered reliable. In entering the south anchorage favor the shore of Entrance Island, keeping on the range mentioned above. A ledge makes out about 160 yards from the point on the south shore.

Sunset Island is a large rounded island, about 4.5 miles north of The Twins and south-southwest of the entrance to Windham Bay. A reef awash is about 0.1 mile off the south shore, and a rock awash at low water is about 0.1 mile off the east point of the island.

, on the southeast side of Point Windham, has its entrance about 7.5 miles north of The Twins and about 17 miles north of Five Finger Light. In the middle of the entrance is a small group of wooded islets, with a deep passage on either side. Reefs extend about 0.2 mile east of the islands. Close east of Point Windham is another small group of islets. The northernmost islet is wooded, and the islet southwest of it has some shrubbery on it.

Windham Bay Entrance Light (), 35 feet above the water, is shown from a small house with a red and white diamond-shaped daymark on the southeasternmost islet, about 0.6 mile east of Point Windham.

Indifferent anchorage, in about 20 fathoms, may be had off the ruins of Windham north of the flat near the head of the bay. There is constricted anchorage in the cove just east of the south point of the entrance to the bay in 25 fathoms. Small craft anchor closer in.

A fog bank of varying density frequently hangs over the upper part of Windham Bay, especially at night.

From its 1.5-mile-wide entrance, Windham Bay narrows rapidly and connects with a deep inner basin about 4 miles long and 0.5 mile wide. This narrow connecting channel is constricted to about 100 yards by a ledge on its north side that bares. In passing through the narrows, great care should be exercised and the south shore kept aboard at a distance of about 50 yards. From the point on the south shore southeast of the ledge, a spur that bares extends about 20 yards. A small wooded islet is close to the north shore about 0.6 mile west of the narrows. The extensive flat that extends from the southeast side of Windham Bay leaves a passage about 0.2 mile wide close to the north shore up to within 0.4 mile from the head of the bay. , entering the head of the bay, is reported to be navigable in a rowboat for about 1 mile. During the winter the head of Windham Bay to the narrows freezes over.


Point League to Thistle Ledge

(), on the east side of Stephens Passage about 5.3 miles northwest of Point Windham, is a gently rounding precipitous point. The cliff, about 30 feet high, is whitish. The point rises rapidly to a lofty mountain with partially bare slopes. Point Lookout is about 1.4 miles north of Point League and is hummock and timbered.

Anchorage has been obtained in the cove between Point League and Point Lookout by a vessel 150 feet long in 15 fathoms close to the entrance near the north shore, but it is not recommended. It is exposed to southwest winds and is constricted by a shoal making out from the south shore and shoal water inside the cove.

, covered at high water and marked by kelp, is about 0.6 mile from the east shore of Stephens Passage about 1 mile north from Point Lookout. The shore is foul between Thistle Ledge and Point Astley, about 3 miles north. A small islet is 0.8 mile south of Point Astley.


Gambier Bay to Snug Cove

has its entrance on the west side of Stephens Passage, about 8 miles north of The Brothers. There are numerous islands and ledges in the entrance, but with the aid of the chart it can readily be entered in the daytime.

, the northeast point at the entrance to Gambier Bay and the southeast end of Gambier Island is marked by Point Gambier Light (), 38 feet above the water and shown from a skeleton tower with a red and white diamond-shaped daymark.

The bay is irregular in shape and is divided into two parts by a chain of narrow islands and reefs. The outer bay, which extends from Point Gambier about 7 miles in a north-northwest direction, is about 1.7 miles wide at the entrance; its north end is an inlet that affords anchorage in 15 to 20 fathoms, soft bottom. Anchorage in 6 to 17 fathoms, mud bottom, can be had north of . It can be approached without difficulty, but care should be taken to avoid the foul ground that extends off the northwest point of Good Island.

is about 0.4 mile northwest of Gambier Island with ledges between.

The chain of islands and reefs, including Chapel Island and Price Island, paralleling Gain Island and the mainland at Church Point divides the outer part of the bay into two passages. In navigating the passage west of this chain care should be taken to avoid the bare rocks that extend 165 yards out from the point, 0.5 mile south-southeast of .

Currents have a velocity of about 3 knots in the passage between Church Point and Gain Island, and some swirls occur around the ledges east and north of Gain Island.

is 680 yards from the west shore of the outer bay. A rocky shoal with a least depth of 5 fathoms is about 1 mile southeast from the south end of Price Island, with deep water between it and the ledges that have a number of bare heads that extend 0.6 mile southeast of the island. A large, conspicuous, gray boulder on the south ledge is a good landmark.

, small in extent, is about 0.8 mile north of Price Island. A rock that bares 1 foot is about 0.4 mile east of Chapel Island. Ledges extend about 0.9 mile northwest from the northwest point of Chapel Island to a channel about 450 yards wide. The reef on the northwest side of this channel is marked by Gambier Bay Entrance Light 2 (), 16 feet above the water and skeleton tower with a red triangular daymark.

appears as a clump of trees just north of . At low water Tree Island appears at the end of a spit off Gain Island; in reality it is a part of Gain Island. About 0.3 mile northwest of Tree Island is a much larger unnamed island, which is wooded. Two pinnacle rocks, covered 2½ and 2 fathoms, are 0.4 mile and 0.6 mile, respectively, northwest of the unnamed island. Once past these rocks, the inner bay is relatively clear.

Anchorage, with good protection from all but southwest winds, is in the bight about 1.4 miles north-northwest of Gain Island, in about 11 fathoms with sand and mud bottom.

, on the south side of the inner bay about 2 miles west-southwest of Church Point, has anchorage in 15 to 20 fathoms, soft bottom. Small craft find good protection here in 4 to 7 fathoms. Large vessels reach the cove by way of the channel close east of Church Point, Gain Island, and the unnamed island to the northwest; two charted rocks are about 500 yards north-northwest of the unnamed island with a shoal of 8.9 fathoms between the south rock and the north-northwest end of the unnamed island. A south course can then be laid to pass about midway between the unnamed island and Muse Island, 0.7 mile to the southwest. Only small boats can navigate the passage between Church Point and Gain Island because of the rocks.

The preceding paragraphs have pointed out the channels into Gambier Bay and the dangers to be avoided. Specific courses would be of little help and could be confusing. The navigator should pay close attention to the chart.


Seymour Canal to Point Hugh

has its entrance west of Point Hugh (), 15.5 miles north of The Brothers. It extends in a northwest direction into Admiralty Island for about 38 miles, with an average width of about 3 miles. The survey of the canal is old and incomplete, and dangers exist in addition to those shown on the chart, especially near the shores. The upper part of the canal to a distance of about 21 miles from its head, is filled with islands, ledges and rocks. , 15 miles above Point Hugh, divides the canal for a distance of 8 miles. Above Tiedeman Island is another large island called Swan Island. A rock that bares at low water and is surrounded by an extensive bed of kelp is 1 mile south of the southeast end of Tiedeman Island. and , 1.5 miles east of Tiedeman Island, and , 1 mile east of Swan Island, are small and wooded. A 4-fathom ridge extends about 300 yards south of the southwest end of Dorn Island. The waters of the canal are, in general, deep. By passing west of Dorn and Faust Islands and east of Tiedeman Island and Swan Island, the canal may be navigated to the head of , though above Tiedeman Island the passage is narrow and somewhat intricate. A 1½-fathom spot is close east of Tiedeman Island in about In 1986, a 6-fathom spot was reported about 3.5 miles northwest of Faust Island in about North and northeast of Swan Island numerous submerged pinnacles rise to within 2 fathoms of the surface. An extensive area of ridges and reefs extends 1 mile southeast from the east side of the entrance to King Salmon Bay. In the upper part of the canal the depths are moderate, and anchorage can be selected in places for which the chart is the guide. The extreme head of the canal is separated by a portage of less than 0.5 mile from Oliver Inlet. Vessels transiting the canal north of Tiedeman Island should use caution and local knowledge.

Currents in excess of 4 knots during both flood and ebb have been observed in the channel that approaches Fool Inlet in Seymour Canal.

is the south extremity of , a long, narrow, and moderately high strip of land that separates Seymour Canal from Stephens Passage. Rocks, awash, are about 400 yards off the point.

There is a 6-fathom spot approximately 2.2 miles south-southeast of Point Hugh in about Deep draft vessels are advised to stand clear of this area.


Pleasant Bay to Winning Cove

is a small cove on the southwest side of Seymour Canal, 7 miles above Point Hugh (), which affords anchorage for small craft. Two islets are in its entrance. The channel between the two islets is foul. A reef extends about 150 yards north from the northwest islet. The best channel to enter is between this reef and the very prominent point of broken rock resembling a breakwater on the northwest side of the entrance. This breakwater reef shows prominently at all stages of the tide. The channel is about 75 to 100 yards from the point of the breakwater reef. Depths of about 6 fathoms are in the entrance, and depths of 2 to 5 fathoms are inside the bay. Anchor in 4 fathoms about 300 yards southwest of the northwest islet. The bottom here is apparently a thin layer of mud on rocks that makes poor holding ground in heavy south weather. A spit extends 125 yards southwest of the islet.

The head of the bay bares except for a pool just west of the small point that projects from the northwest shore. Small craft can pass into this pool at high water and have sufficient depth and swinging room for one or two boats at low water. This is an excellent shelter in north winds. Water can be obtained from a spring in the little bight near this pool.

is on the southwest shore of the canal, about 9 miles above Point Hugh. A flat that bares at low water extends 0.6 mile from the head of the harbor. , in the middle of the entrance, is part of a chain of rocky reefs extending from the south side of the entrance to the harbor to 400 yards northwest of Beacon Rock. The reefs bare at low water. , a small bare rock, is 0.2 mile northeast of , the north point at the entrance. A 2¼-fathom shoal and a 3-fathom shoal are 0.5 mile and 0.3 mile southwest of Flaw Point, respectively. Enter midway between Beacon Rock and Rasp Ledge; when abeam of Flaw Point, maintain a distance of 0.2 mile from the north shore and come to a west heading, using care to avoid the 2¼- and 3-fathoms shoals. Anchor in 13 to 17 fathoms, sticky bottom, about 1 mile within the harbor, giving the shores a berth of about 0.2 mile. Small craft can find anchorage southwest of Beacon Rock in 3 to 10 fathoms, mud bottom.

, on the northeast shore of the canal about 4.5 miles north of Mole Harbor, offers good anchorage in 1 to 5 fathoms with shelter from all but west winds.

() is a small bay on the east shore of Seymour Canal about 16 miles north of Point Hugh and directly east of Faust Island. Good shelter from south weather and anchorage in 5 to 10 fathoms, mud bottom, can be had here.

, about 3.5 miles north-northeast of Faust Island, is a shallow inlet of no importance in the east shore of the canal.


Windfall Harbor to King Salmon Bay

is on the west shore of Seymour Canal, abreast the northwest end of Tiedeman Island, and about 23.5 miles north of Point Hugh. , large and high, is in the middle of the entrance. A flat extends about 0.8 mile from the head of the bay, and a long bight indents its west shore 1.5 to 2.8 miles southwest of Windfall Island; both dry. The entrance to Windfall Harbor is southeast of Windfall Island between , the south end of the island, and , directly opposite on Admiralty Island. A 2½-fathom shoal extends 0.3 mile south of Late Point. The passage on the northwest side of Windfall Island is foul. The midchannel depths in the harbor are 12 to 19 fathoms.

On the west shore near the head of the harbor is a shelter cabin maintained by the U.S. Forest Service.

On the shoreline west of the north end of Windfall Island is the access point to the Pack Creek bear viewing area, part of the Stan Price Wildlife Sanctuary. The tide flats at the mouth of are part of the Sanctuary and are closed to all boat traffic when submerged at any tide level. The area is managed by the U.S. Forest Service and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Permits are required from June 1 to September 10; contact the district office in Juneau at 907-586-8800 for more information.

Windfall Harbor should be approached only by the channel west of Tiedeman Island, which is about 0.8 mile wide. In using this passage keep in midchannel, except at a point 2 miles above the southeast end of the island, where the west shore, which is bold, should be favored to avoid a patch of rocks about 700 yards off the east shore. A 3¼-fathom spot is 0.8 mile east of Staunch Point. Enter the harbor southeast of Windfall Island and anchor anywhere in 15 to 17 fathoms, sticky bottom, preferably near the southeast shore.

, on the west side of the canal near its head, affords anchorage but the approach is difficult. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service patrol vessel BRANT reported grounding on a gravel bar that extends 100 yards west from the end of the long point forming the west side of the bay.


Point Hugh Light to Sumdum Glacier

Point Hugh Light (), 34 feet (10.4 m) above the water, is shown from a skeleton tower with a red and white diamond-shaped daymark on the point on the west shore of Stephens Passage 2.9 miles north of Point Hugh. About 1.2 miles south of the light, rocks extend offshore about 0.2 mile.

, about 10 miles north of Point Hugh, is distinguishable from seaward and made prominent by a white rock cliff about 30 feet high, backed by a round grassy knoll.

, about 4.5 miles north of Midway Point, is an indefinite point. The shore is steep and rocky. Rocks covered at half tide are about 0.2 mile offshore, 0.7 mile south from the point. A rock, awash at half tide, is 0.3 mile south of the point about 100 yards offshore.

is an inlet, with two extensive arms, on the east side of Stephens Passage, about 8.5 miles northeast of Point Hugh Light and about 28 miles north of Five Finger Light. The water in both arms is very deep, in some places more than 200 fathoms. In both arms the shores are steep and high.


Currents

The tidal currents have an estimated velocity of 4 knots at the entrances to Tracy Arm and Endicott Arm, forming swirls in these areas. Currents of much greater velocity are found in Fords Terror. See the Tidal Current prediction service at tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov for specific information about times, directions, and velocities of the current at numerous locations throughout the area. Links to a user guide for this service can be found in chapter 1 of this book.


Ice

Glaciers discharge ice into both Tracy Arm and Endicott Arm. It is always present in Holkham Bay, sometimes in large quantities, and is prevalent in Stephens Passage off the entrance to the bay in greater or smaller quantities. This ice is dangerous at night or in thick weather, and in entering Tracy Arm or Endicott Arm care should be taken when near the ice, as the swirls are often dangerous.

and are the south and north points, respectively, at the entrance to Holkham Bay. A group of three rocky islets are about 0.1 mile off Point Astley. The highest of the three is about 35 feet high; the westernmost about 15 feet high; and the third, close northeast of the highest one, is about 5 feet high. A gravel bar connects the two larger ones at low water.

A cove about 0.2 mile in extent, close under the east side of Point Coke, might afford a lee and anchorage in 4 fathoms for small craft with heavy northwest winds blowing down Stephens Passage.


Anchorages

An anchorage with shelter from southeast winds may be had in the west bight between Point Astley and Wood Spit, in 20 to 30 fathoms, hard bottom.

is a high wooded island in the middle of the entrance to Holkham Bay. In north weather the bight on the southeast side of the island affords safe anchorage for small craft in 2 to 8 fathoms, hard bottom. A group of four islets, the largest of which is , are within 0.7 mile southeast of Harbor Island. There is a safe passage through the group for small craft.

A long, low wooded point extends west from the mainland east of Harbor Island. An extensive flat, with boulder patches on it, extends up to 1.2 miles from the point. The edges of the flat are steep-to. Sand Spit, a small islet, stands on the southeast edge of the flat. Two bare rocks on the flat are 0.4 and 0.8 mile southwest of Sand Spit.

The passage between Harbor Island, the Round Islet group southeast of it, and the flat, is about 0.8 mile wide and has depths of about 3 fathoms in midchannel.

is a long narrow spit that extends about 0.8 mile in a north direction from the south entrance point of Endicott Arm. Two boulder patches are 0.2 mile north of the spit. Wood Spit Light (), 27 feet above the water and shown from a tower with a red and white diamond-shaped daymark, is on the north end of the boulder patches. An anchorage is available on the west side of the spit in about 25 to 30 fathoms.

Between Wood Spit Light and the southwest end of the flats north of it, the channel leading into Endicott Arm is 0.5 mile wide and has depths of 15 fathoms, 0.4 mile north of Wood Spit Light.

is the south arm of Holkham Bay. is in midchannel, abreast Sanford Cove. are two small islets midway between Sumdum Island and the northeast shore. , at the head of the arm, extends to the water’s edge. This glacier frequently calves enough ice into the arm to seriously hamper navigation. Due to the steep nature of the area’s shoreline, few anchorages are available.

is a narrow inlet that extends 5 miles in a north direction. The entrance to the upper inlet is dangerous except at high water slack and has a controlling depth of ¼ fathom; local knowledge is advised. Tidal currents rush though this narrow part of the inlet with great velocity. Fords Terror has magnificent scenery and affords a relatively safe anchorage in its upper reaches. Anchorage may be had for small craft towards the head of the outer inlet, mud bottom.

, formerly visible at the head of Fords Terror, has receded and is no longer visible from the water.

, on the south shore of Endicott Arm, 5 miles within the entrance, is one of the two available anchorages in the arm. It has a depth of 36 fathoms and is protected except from north winds. forms the northeast side of the cove. A shoal with a depth of 4½ fathoms extends 0.3 mile off the point. A flat extends out 300 yards in the south part of the cove. An occasional piece of ice drifts into the cove but is of no danger to vessels at anchor.


Routes, Holkham Bay and Endicott Arm

When approaching from the south give the east shore of Stephens Passage a berth of 1 mile or more. From a position 0.8 to 1 mile northwest of Point Astley steer for , and pass in midchannel between Wood Spit Light and the Round Islet group, passing 0.44 mile off the light. Strong currents and whirlpools are common in the vicinity of Wood Spit Light.

When approaching from the west, pass about 0.5 mile south of Point Coke and steer southeast, leaving Harbor Island 0.2 mile or more to northeast. Follow around the south side of Harbor Island and the Round Islet group at a 0.2-mile distance and pass midchannel between the latter and Wood Spit Light. The chart should be the guide.


Tracy Arm to Doty Cove

, the north arm of Holkham Bay, takes a general north direction for 9 miles and then turns east 16 miles to its head, where two large glaciers, Sawyer and South Sawyer, discharge into salt water. The arm is often clogged by small icebergs for several miles, and great care is needed in navigating the ice field. Both glaciers, Sawyer Glacier and South Sawyer Glacier, can be very active, and huge blocks of ice fall off their faces into very deep water. These can generate waves that have been observed as high as 25 feet; however, a small boat can ride the waves safely if it keeps a few miles distance from the glacier face and avoids getting packed in the ice flow. It is recommended that vessels use extreme caution and avoid navigating in proximity to the glacier faces. In the north branch of Tracy Arm, which extends from () to Sawyer Glacier, there is a shoal area on the east side of the arm which reaches a minimum depth of 0.8 fathom at MLLW and extends to , about 250 yards from a waterfall on shore. Caution is advised in this area. Tracy Arm, with its deep water, numerous waterfalls, and bold shores, is one of the outstanding fjords of southeast Alaska.

The entrance to the arm is about 1.75 miles wide and has a navigable channel of only 0.3 mile wide. The channel is marked by seasonal buoys and Tracy Arm Light () on the east shore of the arm. The sector light is activated by transmitting 5 carrier pulses in 5 seconds on VHF-FM channel 65. The buoys may become submerged during periods of strong current. Tidal swirls, in conjunction with very strong currents, will be met in the entrance except at slack water. Caution should be used when transiting this area due to large pieces of ice moving through the entrance with the current. A daybeacon with a radar reflector is inside the entrance on the west shore in about

, a deepwater anchorage with constricted swinging room and hard bottom with patches of mud, is at the head of a large bight on the west side of Tracy Arm about 6 miles above the entrance to the arm. Additionally, an anchorage for small boats in 5 fathoms, rocky bottom, is reported available in the small bight on the west side of the arm, about 2 miles above the entrance and 4 miles below Williams Cove. A rock awash is about 0.2 mile southeast of the entrance to the bight.

are two small, sparsely wooded islets, 16 miles north of Point Hugh and 2 miles off the east shore of Stephens Passage. Rocks, awash at highest tides, are between them, with deep water close-to. A ledge extends about 0.2 mile south from the south islet, which is marked by Midway Islands Light (), 83 feet (25.3 m) above the water and shown from a skeleton tower with a red and white diamond-shaped daymark.

, a narrow wooded point with steep rocky shores, the more northerly of two similar points, is on the west side of Stephens Passage, about 7.5 miles northwest of Midway Islands Light.

, about 6 miles to the north of Twin Point, is wooded and rises to a knob 1.4 miles inshore. A small wooded islet 105 feet high is 300 yards off the point. The bight, about 0.5 mile south of the islet, is used as a fair-weather anchorage by small craft.

, about 2 miles southeast from Station Point, is wooded. Reefs extend 50 to 100 yards from its shores, except at the southeast end, where a reef extends about 0.5 mile southeast. Two small wooded islets are close to the point to the southwest of South Island. Anchorage in 14 fathoms, sticky bottom, has been found to the west of South Island. In the bight to the south of the small islets, small craft can find fair-weather anchorage.

has its entrance on the east side of Stephens Passage, about 7 miles north of Midway Islands and 10 miles southeast of Grand Island. It is about 1.7 miles wide at the entrance and has a northeast direction for 4.3 miles, narrowing somewhat, and dividing into two arms. , the north arm, is 7.5 miles long to the flat at the mouth of at its head. A power plant and a 2,000-foot airstrip are at the head of Speel Arm. , the south arm, is 3.5 miles long to the flat that extends 1 mile from its head, above which is a low valley 3 miles long to Holkham Bay.

is the northwest point of the entrance, and , marked by yellow and white cliffs, is 1 mile south of the southeast point of the entrance.


Local magnetic disturbance

Extreme magnetic disturbance exists in Port Snettisham and Gilbert Bay. The magnetic compass should not be relied upon within the area outlined in magenta as shown on charts of this area.

A private channel and basin are at the head of Speel Arm, but it was reported in 1976 that the channel and basin were no longer maintained. The basin was reported to freeze over in the winter.

The shores of Port Snettisham are steep and wooded. Because of the great depth, it is not suitable as an anchorage, though in case of necessity a vessel may anchor in about 20 fathoms at the head of either Speel Arm or Gilbert Bay, close to the flats. A poor but possible anchorage in 28 fathoms, sticky bottom, can be found in the small cove west of , about 1.8 miles east-northeast of Point Styleman. It is exposed to south winds and eddies during strong tides. Anchorage can be had directly across from Mist Island, on the southeast side of Port Snettisham in a small cove in 5 to 15 fathoms, hard bottom.

The port is entirely free from dangers, but there are large flats at the head of all the arms. Moderately heavy tide rips are sometimes found at the entrance to Port Snettisham.

A barge dock and a small-craft float are in the basin at the head of Speel Arm. Gasoline is available in an emergency only. A machine shop is available for emergency use. A supply barge visits twice a year. Telephone and radiotelephone service is available only in an emergency. Seaplanes visit Port Snettisham on a weekly schedule.

empties into the middle arm at the northeast part of Gilbert Bay.

has its entrance on the east side of Stephens Passage, about 13 miles north-northwest of Midway Islands Light and 2 miles southeast of Taku Harbor. It is a narrow arm that extends in an easterly direction. The depths are 13 to 30 fathoms in the lower half of the inlet, and a vessel may anchor anywhere in midchannel, but the holding ground is not very good. With the close proximity of Taku Harbor, vessels seldom find it necessary to enter. The upper half of the inlet is filled by a flat, most of which covers at high water. An overhead power cable with a clearance of 95 feet crosses the inlet about 0.3 mile above the mouth. The maximum safe clearance under this high voltage line is 80 feet.

, about 19 miles southeast from Juneau, indents the east shore of Stephens Passage about 3 miles southeast of Grand Island. The entrance is between and the southeast tangent of . In the approach from the south, its position is readily known by the projecting high land of Grave Point and rising behind the point. Taku Mountain is prominent in Stephens Passage from Sunset Island north to Point Tantallon. A flat extends about 0.2 mile from the head.


Local magnetic disturbance

Differences of as much as 10° from normal variation have been observed in the vicinity of Grave Point.

Grave Point Light (), 45 feet above the water, shown from a skeleton tower with a red and white diamond-shaped daymark on the southwest extremity of Grave Point, marks the north side of the entrance to the harbor.

The anchorage is in about 13 fathoms, soft bottom, favoring the east shore. A slight eddy current in Taku Harbor from Stephens Passage is sometimes noticed on the flood and, with large tides, swirls are produced that cause a vessel to surge somewhat on her cables at times. The north winter winds from the interior draw through the valley back of the harbor with great force. In the winter these conditions, when at their severest, render the anchorage somewhat dangerous.

Slocum Inlet is on the east shore of Stephens Passage, about 4.5 miles north of Grave Point Light and 2.5 miles northeast of Grand Island. It is almost filled with flats. The water is deep close to the flats, but it does afford convenient anchorage.

Circle Point, the south point of the entrance to Slocum Inlet, rises to Butler Peak, a prominent conical peak.

, in the middle of Stephens Passage, 17.5 miles northwest of Midway Islands and 3.5 miles south of Point Arden, is marked on its northeast side by Grand Island Light (), 47 feet (14.3 m) above the water and shown from a skeleton tower with a red and white diamond-shaped daymark. It has three knolls and rises abruptly from deep water. A good channel is on each side of the island; the east one is generally favored.

, on the west side of Stephens Passage, about 1.6 miles northwest of Grand Island, rises to a timbered knob, with a depression between it and a ridge to the northwest. Two rocks are close to the south shore of the point; the outer rock bares and the inner rock uncovers 12 feet. , south of Cove Point, is deep. Flats at the head of the cove drop off rapidly to 20 fathoms.


Stephens Passage to Juneau

Point Arden is a rocky bluff on the west side of Stephens Passage about 3.5 miles north of Grand Island and 11.2 miles from Juneau. Point Arden Light (), 50 feet (15.2 m) above the water, is shown from a skeleton tower with a red and white diamond-shaped daymark on the northeast end of the point.

, on the east side of Stephens Passage, has its entrance about 2.7 miles northeast of Point Arden Light. The inlet is about 15 miles long from , the west entrance point, to Taku Glacier at its head. A 1¼-fathom depth is about 100 yards southeast of Bishop Point.


Anchorages

The inlet has no secure anchorage and is exposed to strong winds. The best general anchorage, with fair protection from south winds, is to be had in 5 to 7 fathoms, soft bottom, 2 miles north-northeast of Jaw Point and about 0.5 mile offshore. Temporary anchorage, partially protected from north winds, can be had in from 3 to 7 fathoms, soft mud bottom, east of the Annex Creek Power Station.


Currents

In Taku Inlet, currents have greater velocity on the ebb than on the flood. At Taku Point, the ebb current has an estimated velocity of 3 to 4 knots at times. At the entrance to Taku Inlet the velocity of the ebb current does not exceed 2 knots. (See the Tidal Current Tables for daily predictions.)


Winds

The conformation of Taku Inlet is such that north winter gales sweep down the inlet and across Stephens Passage with great force, often accompanied by a blinding snowstorm. Southeast gales draw through the inlet.


Ice

Taku Glacier has now pushed up the moraine ahead of its face, and ice no longer is a serious threat to navigation in the inlet. A few small chunks of ice occasionally drift down the inlet, but these are rarely more than 3 to 4 feet wide.

For a distance of about 9 miles, from Bishop Point to about 2.6 miles above Jaw Point, the water is deep and the shores bold. Thence to about 2.6 miles south of Taku Point, a distance of about 3 miles, the channel is narrowed by a flat that extends out from the east shore. From 2.6 miles south of Taku Point the channel is poorly defined, narrow and subject to change and should not be traversed without local knowledge. Large vessels should not venture north of Flat Point because of the extensive shoaling at the head of Taku Inlet. It is reported that the deepest water between Flat Point and Scow Cove is 4 feet in the channel about 100 yards off the west shore of the inlet.

is the prominently projecting point on the east shore about 5.5 miles within the entrance; there are high cliffs on the east shore south of it. Flat Point is on the west shore 3 miles north of Jaw Point. , on the east shore, 4 miles south of Jaw Point, is distinguished by its reddish-brown color.

is on the west side of the inlet about 4 miles above , which is reddish-brown. In a small bight between Sunny Cove and Flat Point about 1.3 miles northeast of Sunny Cove is the Annex Creek Power Station, which furnishes electric power to Juneau, and a small wharf at the station. The power station constitutes a good landmark. The bottom bares alongside the wharf.

is on the east shore south of the mouth of Taku River and 4.5 miles north of Flat Point.

is on the west side of Taku Inlet, about 4.5 miles north of Flat Point.

Taku Glacier, the discharge of which is blamed for filling in the head of the inlet, is almost the only one of all Alaska’s glaciers that is still advancing. It pushes ahead of it vast quantities of sediment that have filled up the formerly deep basins in the inlet.

Because of the extensive shoaling at the head of the inlet that bars the mouth of , no directions can be given for proceeding north of the line between and .


Caution

Small craft should exercise caution when maneuvering in shoal water especially off Sunny Cove, Annex Creek Power Station and off on the east side of Taku Inlet. These areas have scattered boulders that stand 2 to 5 feet above the surrounding bottom. Because of the discoloration of the water it is impossible to see them even when covered by only a foot of water. There is a flat for 1.5 miles alongshore south of Flat Point that extends off a greatest distance of 0.5 mile offshore. It has depths of ½ to 2 fathoms over it within these limits and deepens to 10 fathoms in about 0.2 mile. Along the edge of the flat for a distance of 0.2 mile southwest of Flat Point, boulders and rock ledges bare at extreme low water. This area should be avoided by small boats except at high water.

, separating Douglas Island from the mainland, extends northwest for 13 miles from Stephens Passage and then west for 2.5 miles to Fritz Cove. The channel is marked by lights, lighted and unlighted buoys and daybeacons. The section of the channel from northwest for about 2 miles is marked by seasonal buoys. Juneau, 8 miles above the southeast entrance, is the head of deep-draft navigation. The channel from Juneau to Fritz Cove, a distance of 7.5 miles, crosses and is navigable only by small craft with local knowledge. This part of the channel is subject to considerable shoaling; mariners are advised to obtain the latest local information concerning channel conditions.


Caution

The transit of the channel from Buoy 7 to Light 21 is limited by Mendenhall Bar. In 1983, it was reported that the shallowest part of the bar, between Daybeacons 15 and 17, bared at 10 feet above Mean Lower Low Water. The bar may be crossed only when the tide is high enough, i.e., when the tide is at least 10 feet above Mean Lower Low Water, plus the draft of the vessel transiting, plus a safety factor suitable for the vessel and operator. In selecting a safety factor, mariners should consider that the actual height of high tide can differ appreciably from the predicted high tide and that most often the actual height is less than the predicted height.

Tide gages are on Mendenhall Bar Channel Lights 5 and 21. The zero mark on these gages is at the level of the least depth of the channel across Mendenhall Bar. Thus, the reading on these gages at higher tidal elevations shows the amount of water available over the shallowest part of the channel. Since this reading shows the actual tide level over the bar, it is unaffected by whatever difference there may be between the actual and the predicted tide.

A 5 mph speed limit with wake not to exceed 6 inches in height is enforced in Gastineau Channel between Juneau Isle and Buoy 7.

, about 300 yards to the northeast of Point Tantallon, the southeast point of Douglas Island and the southeast point of the southeast entrance to Gastineau Channel is small, flat topped, and bushy. Marmion Island Light (), 50 feet above the water, is shown from a skeleton tower with a red and white diamond-shaped daymark. A shoal with a least depth of 3¼ fathoms extends 0.2 mile east of the light.


Local magnetic disturbance

Differences of 5° from normal variation have been observed in Gastineau Channel in the vicinity of latitude 58°15'N.

Sheep Creek Flat, 4.5 miles above Marmion Island and close south of Thane, on the east side of Gastineau Channel, extends 0.25 mile across the channel from the mouth of Sheep Creek and bares. The outer limit of the flat is marked by a light.

is a residential section of the borough of Juneau on the northeast side of Gastineau Channel, 5 miles from Stephens Passage. A highway connects it with Juneau.

Juneau Isle, a small wooded promontory opposite the south edge of Douglas, is connected to Douglas Island by a roadway. A light is on the northeast end of the isle, and a tall white flagpole is near the south end. The U.S. Bureau of Mines occupies the buildings on the isle.

is a residential section of the borough of Juneau on the southwest side of Gastineau Channel, about 6.5 miles from Stephens Passage. A highway connects it with Juneau by way of the Juneau-Douglas Bridge.

NOAA Coast Pilot figure
Open original at NOAA


Wharves

A city dock is at Douglas. Douglas also has a protected harbor with small-craft facilities.


Small-craft facilities

Douglas Boat Harbor, on the inshore side of Juneau Isle, has a federal project depth of 12 feet. The basin is entered between two jetties; the south jetty is marked by a light. In 2017, the controlling depths in the basin were 5 to 12 feet. Enter the basin between the jetty and the Douglas City Dock.

The small-craft floats in Douglas Boat Harbor, operated by the city of Juneau, can accommodate about 135 craft including transients. The basin has a boat launching ramp. Water and electricity are available; fuel and other supplies can be obtained in Juneau.

The delta off the mouth of , about 0.8 mile northwest of Douglas, is marked by a light.

The rock dump of mine tailings, about 1 mile south of Juneau, extends from the northeast shore. Shoal water extends from the dump and is marked by a lighted buoy.

, the state capital of Alaska, is a thriving city. The city’s primary commerce is in containerized cargo, fish and fish products, petroleum products and tourism. It is on the northeast side of Gastineau Channel, 8 miles north of Stephens Passage. Extensive hard-rock gold mining operations formerly were carried on, but the mines have been closed since 1943.

NOAA Coast Pilot figure
Open original at NOAA


Prominent features

Prominent are the ruins of the mine buildings on the mountain slope above the south end of the Juneau business district, the tank farm at the rock dump about 1 mile south of Juneau, the Federal Building on Gold Creek, Juneau-Douglas fixed highway bridge, the lighted TV tower northwest of the bridge and the Governor’s Mansion (), a large white colonial mansion with green roof.


Channels

The approach to Juneau from the southeast through Gastineau Channel is clear and deep. The approach through Fritz Cove and from the northwest is narrow, shallow and seasonally marked to show the best water; this approach should be attempted only during high water. The draft of the deepest vessels calling at Juneau in 2006 was 30 feet.


Anchorages

Anchorage is available off the wharves, northeast of the cable area, in 12 to 19 fathoms, soft bottom. Prior to anchoring in this area, permission must be obtained from the Coast Guard Captain of the Port.

The harbor area off the waterfront at Juneau is a safety zone. (See 33 CFR 165.1 through 165.9, 165.20, 165.23, and 165.1702, chapter 2, for limits and regulations.)


Dangers

Shoals extend off the mouths of the creeks and are, for the most part, marked. In navigating Gastineau Channel do not approach the shores too closely, especially the southwest shore. Stream flats and deposits from mine tailings extend well offshore.


Bridges

The Juneau-Douglas fixed highway bridge over Gastineau Channel has a clearance of 51 feet. An overhead power cable with a reported clearance of 55 feet crosses the channel just northwest of the bridge.


Currents

In Gastineau Channel, the current floods northwest and ebbs southeast past Juneau with a velocity of 2.0 knots. (See the Tidal Current Tables for daily predictions.) Currents at the wharves in Juneau Harbor, northeast of the centerline of Gastineau Channel, are much weaker than at midchannel. The current follows the shoreline, going around the harbor in a counterclockwise direction on the flood and clockwise on the ebb.


Weather

Juneau is well within the area of maritime influences that prevail over the coastal areas of southeastern Alaska and is in the path of most storms that cross the Gulf of Alaska. Consequently, the area has little sunshine, generally moderate temperatures and abundant precipitation. The surrounding rugged terrain causes considerable variation in the weather within relatively short distances.

Temperature variations, both daily and seasonal, are usually small because of the marine influence. On average, the difference between maximums and minimums ranges from about 9°F in December to around 18°F in June. Extremes range from 90°F in July to -22°F in February, with above 80°F readings occurring from May through August, while -20°F temperatures have been recorded in December, January and February. The city is often warmer than the airport in winter. Periods of severe cold, which usually begin with strong northerlies, are most often the result of cold air from northwest Canada flowing across the Juneau ice field and are usually of short duration. During such periods, gusty, sometimes strong winds, known locally as “Taku Winds,” occur in the city and other local areas. They draw down the mountain passes from north, but their force is modified somewhat under the lee of the highland east of Juneau. Southeast gales may occur in the vicinity of Juneau at any season, but they are much more frequent in winter than in summer. They are usually accompanied by rain. In summer, southeast winds seldom blow home and when they do, the confined channel admits but little sea.

February to June mark the period of lightest precipitation; monthly averages are about 3 to nearly 4 inches. After June the monthly amount increases gradually, reaching a maximum during October when it averages 8 inches. Monthly averages of precipitation then tend to decline from November until February.

The first snow usually occurs in the latter part of October. On the average there is very little accumulation on the ground at low levels until the last part of November. Snow accumulation usually reaches its greatest depth during the middle of February when it averages around 10 inches at the Juneau Airport. Snow cover is usually gone before the middle of April.


Pilotage, Juneau

Pilotage, except for certain exempt vessels, is compulsory for all vessels navigating the inside waters of the State of Alaska. (See Pilotage, Alaska, indexed as such, chapter 3 for details.)

Vessels en route Juneau can meet the pilot boat at about 10.2 miles west-southwest of Point Macartney Light ().

The pilot boat, a crewboat, can be contacted by calling “JUNEAU PILOT BOAT” on VHF-FM channels 16, 13 or 12.


Towage

Tugs up to 750 hp operating from Juneau and engaged principally in the towing of barges and log rafts are available for assisting in docking and undocking. They are equipped with VHF-FM channels 16, 13 and 6. Arrangements for tugs should be made well in advance through shipping agents.


Quarantine, customs, immigration and agricultural quarantine.

(See chapter 3, Vessel Arrival Inspections, and Appendix A for addresses.)

Quarantine is enforced in accordance with regulations of the U.S. Public Health Service. (See Public Health Service, chapter 1.)

Juneau is a customs port of entry.


Coast Guard

The U.S. Coast Guard station is on the northwest side of the harbor at the U.S. Government Wharf (Subport). A district office and sector office are in Juneau. (See Appendix A for address.)


Harbor regulations

The harbormaster assigns berths at the city float, Aurora Basin, Harris Harbor and Douglas Boat Harbor and controls the use of the grids in Harris Harbor and Douglas Boat Harbor. The harbormaster is on call 24 hours daily, and his office is on the south shore of Aurora Basin just inside the south entrance. The harbormaster’s office monitors VHF-FM channel 16 from 0800 to 1630 daily during the summer and year round on Sundays. Working frequencies are channels 73 and 74. The call sign is WAB-950. The harbormaster can also be contacted by telephone (907–586–5255).


Wharves

Most of the docks along the northeastern shore of Juneau harbor are owned and operated by the city of Juneau. The remaining wharves are privately owned except the U.S. Government wharf on the north side of the harbor. (For information on the latest depths, contact the individual operators of each facility.)

Alaska Marine Lines, Juneau Terminal Transfer Bridge (): 300 feet of berthing space with dolphins; 12 to 28 feet reported alongside in 2002; two 45- and one 31-ton container forklifts, and 22 acres of open storage; receipt and shipment of containerized, conventional and roll-on/roll-off general cargo; owned and operated by Alaska Marine Lines.

Jacobsen’s Dock (): 380-foot face, 1,100 feet (335 m) with dolphins; reported depth alongside in 2005, 40 feet; mooring panamax cruise vessels; inside of dock, mooring smaller vessels; owned and operated by A J Juneau Dock, LLC.

Taku Oil Sales, Juneau Terminal Wharf (): 100-foot face; 274 feet of berthing space with dolphins; 40 feet reported alongside in 2002; 90-foot small-craft fueling barge moored west of wharf; pipelines extend to tank farm in rear; receipt of petroleum products; fueling vessels; owned and operated by Taku Oil Sales, Inc.

Franklin Dock (): 272-foot face; 960 feet of berthing space with dolphins; 30 feet reported alongside in 2002; deck height, 24 feet; mooring cruise vessels; owned by Franklin Dock Enterprises and operated by Princess Cruises.

Intermediate Vessel Float (): 400-foot float; 800 feet berthing space; 25 feet reported alongside in 2002; mooring commercial vessels and recreational craft; landing for passengers via launches serving cruise ships; owned and operated by the City of Juneau.

Taku Fisheries Wharf (): 40-foot face; 30 feet reported alongside in 2002; deck height, 26 feet; one 1¼-ton derrick and two 2-ton forklifts; receipt of seafood; handling supplies for fishing vessels; and icing vessels; owned by the City and Borough of Juneau and operated by Taku Fisheries.

Port Field Office Float (58°17’44”N., 134°24’03”W.): 200-foot floating berth; 25 feet reported alongside in 2016; owned and operated by the City of Juneau.

Juneau Cruise Ship Terminal (): 300-foot by 50-foot floating berth capable of supporting ships up to 1,000 feet; 90 feet reported alongside in 2016; 200 feet of moorage available on the shoreward side of the float for smaller vessels with permission of the Harbormaster; owned and operated by the City of Jeneau.

Alaska Steamship Wharf (): 400-foot by 50-foot floating berth with mooring dolphins capable of supporting vessels up to 1,000 feet; owned and operated by the City of Juneau.

Goldbelt Merchants Wharf (): 270 feet berthing space; 30 feet reported alongside in 2002; mooring cruise vessels; landing for seaplanes; owned by Merchants Wharf and operated by Goldbelt, Inc.

U.S. Coast Guard Base, Juneau Wharf (Subport) (): 760-foot face; 36 to 40 feet reported alongside in 2002; deck height, 24 feet; mooring of U.S. Coast Guard and other Government vessels; owned by U.S. Government and operated by U.S. Coast Guard, National Marine Fisheries Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Trucano Construction Co., Douglas Wharf (): 200-foot face; 20 feet reported alongside in 2002; unpaved open storage located at rear; ten steel storage tanks with a capacity of 47,000 barrels; owned by Trucano Construction Co., Inc. and operated by Trucano Construction Co., Inc. and Harbor Enterprises, Inc., d.b.a. Petro Marine Services.

City Fisheries Terminal Dock (): 150-foot face; 12 feet reported alongside in 2002; deck height, 25 feet; two 2-ton and one 1-ton mast-and-boom derrick; mooring vessels; handling supplies for fishing vessels; and icing vessels; owned by the State of Alaska and City and Borough of Juneau and operated by the City and Borough of Juneau.


Supplies

Provisions and marine and fishing supplies are available in Juneau. Diesel fuel, diesel oil, gasoline, distillates and lubricating oil and greases can be obtained at the oil company wharves. Only diesel oil is available for large vessels. Water can be had in the summer at all of the wharves and at the U.S. Government Wharf in the winter.


Repairs

There are no drydocking or major repair facilities for large vessels in Juneau. The nearest facilities are in Ketchikan. Two private 50-ton cranes that can handle small craft up to 5 feet in draft at high water are available for mariners’ use about 1.6 miles northwest of Juneau-Douglas Bridge, on the northwest side of Gastineau Channel. A 450-foot small-craft grid is in the northeast part of Harris Harbor, and a 52-foot grid is in the southwest part of Douglas Boat Harbor. Both grids are for public use. Several machine shops and repair firms along the waterfront can provide hull, engine, electrical and electronic repairs.


Small-craft facilities

Harris Harbor and Aurora Basin, both federal projects, and Norway Point Float are north of Juneau-Douglas Bridge. All three facilities are operated by the city of Juneau. The harbormaster monitors VHF-FM channels 16 and 73 and can be contacted by telephone (907–586–5255) or FAX (907–586–5367).

, immediately north of the bridge, has a 12-foot project depth and is protected by two rock-mound breakwaters. In 2021, a depth of 12 feet was reported in the harbor. A light at the end of the north breakwater marks the entrance.

The harbor floats can accommodate over 275 vessels. Berths for transients are available. A seaplane hangar and float are in the southeast part of the harbor, and a 450-foot grid is in the northwest part. Water and metered electricity are available at the floats.

, 0.5 mile northwest of Harris Harbor, has a project depth of 14 feet in the southeast half and 12 feet in the northwest half. The basin is protected on the northwest side by a breakwater, marked by a light, and by a detached breakwater on the channel side. In 2021, depths of 6.5 to 12 feet were reported in the north part of the basin and 13 to 14 feet in the south part. The basin can be entered at either end of the detached breakwater. The southeast end of the detached breakwater is marked by a light.

The basin can accommodate approximately 457 vessels. Water and metered electricity are available at the floats.

Norway Point Float (), north of Aurora Basin, provides 480 feet of transient space with 4 to 10 feet reported alongside in 2002.


Communications

Juneau has regular passenger, express and freight service to Puget Sound ports, British Columbia and other Alaska ports and towns by water and air. The Alaska State Ferry System, operating from Juneau and Auke Bay, about 12 miles northwest of the city, has daily ferry service during the summer to Haines, Skagway, Hoonah, Petersburg, Sitka, Wrangell, Ketchikan and Prince Rupert, BC, and weekly service to Kake and Seattle. This schedule is less frequent during the winter. In addition to the scheduled airlines, other air services operate from Juneau on a charter basis.

A highway parallels Gastineau Channel and Favorite Channel from Little Sheep Creek, about 5 miles southeast of Juneau, to Echo Cove, about 33 miles north-northwest of Juneau. The highway on Douglas Island parallels Gastineau Channel and Fritz Cove from Paris Creek, about 1 mile southeast of Douglas to Outer Point, about 11 miles northwest of Douglas.

Juneau maintains radiotelephone and telephone communications with the other states and parts of Alaska.


False Arden to Middle Point

Stephens Passage continues northwest from Point Arden () for about 22 miles to a junction with Saginaw Channel and Favorite Channel. False Arden is a prominent point 1 mile west-northwest of Point Arden.

, between Stephens Passage and Gastineau Channel, is large and wooded. It has several prominent peaks ranging in height from 2,500 to 3,500 feet. The south shore of the island is fairly bold and steep-to and can be followed at a distance of 0.3 mile.

Point Tantallon, a timbered point with a rocky beach, is at the southeast extremity of Douglas Island. is 0.6 mile west of Point Tantallon.

, the west point of a large bight, is about 8 miles to the west of Point Tantallon. Point Hilda Light (), 20 feet above the water, is shown from a square frame structure with a red and white diamond-shaped daymark on the point. There is good anchorage and shelter from north weather 1 mile east of the light in depths of 6 to 15 fathoms.

, marked by a daybeacon, is 2.8 miles west of Point Hilda. , 4.3 miles west-northwest of Point Hilda, is marked by a light; a shoal extends 0.2 mile off the point.


Oliver Inlet

has its entrance on the south side of Stephens Passage about 5 miles west of Point Arden (), through a narrow channel 1 mile long and 200 yards wide. The inlet is accessible only at high water to boats and small craft. The narrow entrance of the inlet is bared at low water by a natural dam of rocks, over which the water pours like a waterfall except at slack water. At high-water slack, small vessels drawing not over 6 feet can enter. The currents in the entrance have a velocity of 6 to 8 knots, forming heavy swirls. A portage about 0.5 mile long connects this inlet with the head of Seymour Canal.


Point Young to Auke Bay

() is on the south side of Stephens Passage about 12.2 miles west of Point Arden. The extremity of the point is grass covered and has a pebble beach. From the point the land rises in a timbered ridge with a long gentle slope in a southeast direction. A low, rocky cliff, fringed by a kelp patch of 100 yards offshore, extends about 0.2 mile west along the point.

is on the south side of Stephens Passage west of Point Young. It does not afford anchorage except for small craft because of shallow water. A small vessel can anchor in the cove south of the island on the southwest side of Admiralty Cove, in 3 to 6 fathoms, mud bottom. This is a favorite anchorage for small craft but is open to west winds. A conspicuous trail marker on the southeast shore marks the end of a good trail maintained by the U.S. Forest Service. The trail extends 4.5 miles to Admiralty Lake and is much used by trout fishermen and hunters in season. A shelter cabin is on the beach near the end of the trail, and another is on the shore of the lake.

A long narrow sand beach fronting a large tidal marsh is at the head of the cove, into which empties , a swift shallow stream.

is the broad bight in the south shore of Stephens Passage west of Point Young. , a grass-covered rock 53 feet high with deep water around it, is in the middle of the entrance. A rocky shoal with a least depth of 1½ fathoms extends about 300 yards south of Skull Island. Young Bay is connected to Hawk Inlet Mine by road and to Auke Bay by ferry. Hawk Inlet is the site of a large mining operation and ship loading facility. A good foot trail maintained by the U.S. Forest Service extends from the southwest side of Young Bay to the shore of Hawk Inlet. The cliff on the southeast shore about midway between the head of the bay and Point Young is marked by a light-colored scar 60 feet high and 30 feet wide.

Anchorage with shelter from southeast winds can be had about 0.5 mile from the southeast side of the bay, between Point Young and the head, in 18 to 22 fathoms, soft bottom. Small vessels may anchor closer in shore in desired depths.

Horse Island and Colt Island, connected at low water and wooded, are on the west side of Stephens Passage north of the west entrance point to Young Bay. Colt Island, the north island, has ledges on its northeast and northwest sides. The north point of Colt Island appears as a separate islet about 20 feet high, but is a part of the island at all stages of the tide.

Horse Island, the larger and southernmost of the two islands, has shoal ground that extends about 0.2 mile off the south shore of the island and practically continuous rock ledges extend from the south tip of the island in a south-southeast direction across the entrance of a cove south-southwest of the island. A fair anchorage for small boats is had in this cove, but its use is not recommended because of the obstructions across the entrance. The best water for entering the cove from the southeast is just north and close to a part of these ledges that uncover 7 feet about 0.6 mile south-southeast from the south end of Horse Island.

A fair anchorage for small boats with protection from south winds can be had in midchannel west of Colt Island in 12 to 15 fathoms, mud bottom. Approach the anchorage from the north and avoid the ledge and rock that uncover 10 feet about 0.6 mile north-northwest of Colt Island, and the various small ledges and rocks near the shores.

Horse Shoal, about 0.6 mile east of Horse Island, consists of two patches 0.5 mile apart, both of which bare at half tide. A light marks the south patch.

Shaman Island, about 2.3 miles northeast of Colt Island and 0.2 mile to the north of Outer Point, is wooded and is connected with Douglas Island by a gravel bar. There is a rock awash at extreme low tides 0.1 mile off the north end of the island.

Dornin Rock, with 7 feet over it, is 0.4 mile west of Shaman Island. George Rock, about 1 mile north-northwest of Outer Point, is awash at highest tides. It is marked by a light.

, northeast of Outer Point, the northwest extremity of Douglas Island, affords anchorage and shelter from south and east winds. A boat-launching ramp is along the south shore at Fritz Cove about 1.6 miles inside the entrance.

, at the east end of Fritz Cove, is a wooded knoll connected with Douglas Island by a low spit.

Spuhn Island, with a high wooded knob at its southwest end, is on the north side of Fritz Cove, about 1.6 miles west of Entrance Point. Gibby Rock, covered 1 fathom and about 0.7 mile west-southwest from Spuhn Point, the south end of Spuhn Island, is marked by a light. To enter Fritz Cove, pass on either side of George Rock and follow the shore of Douglas Island, giving it a berth of 0.2 mile. Anchor about 500 yards from shore and 0.4 mile southwest of Entrance Point in 20 to 25 fathoms, soft bottom.

Auke Bay is a popular fishing and boating recreational area north of Fritz Cove. Coghlan Islandis on the southwest side of Auke Bay, about 1 mile northwest of Spuhn Island. A buoy is off the north end of Coghlan Island. Point Louisaand Indian Point are on the north shore of the bay, about 1.2 miles northwest and 0.6 mile north, respectively, of the north extremity of Coghlan Island. Fairhaven is on the shore of the bay between these two points. After passing 0.2 mile south and east of Coghlan Island, enter the bay on a northeast course with the summit of the island astern. Anchorage for small craft, with protection from southeast winds may be found at the head of Auke Bay.

NOAA Coast Pilot figure
Open original at NOAA

Auke Bay is a community with general stores, a ferry terminal, and seasonal small-craft facilities on the northeast shore at the head of Auke Bay. The National Marine Fisheries Service has a biological laboratory at Auke Bay. Auke Lake and Mendenhall Glacierare about 0.3 mile and 3.6 miles inland, respectively, from the community.


Wharves

The Alaska State Ferry Terminal (): on the north shore of Auke Bay; 850 feet of continual berthing space; 26 feet reported alongside in 2002; owned and operated by the State of Alaska.

Southeast Alaska Lighterage Dock (): approximately 200 yards east of the ferry terminal; 250-foot barge, 50 feet reported alongside in 2002; handling materials, supplies and equipment to and from barges; mooring vessels; owned and operated by Southeast Alaska Lighterage.

Allen Marine Tours Dock (): close east of the lighterage dock; 360-foot face; 60 feet reported alongside in 2002; mooring excursion vessels; mooring vessels; owned and operated by Allen Marine Tours, Inc.


Small-craft facilities

The Auke Bay Marine Station Float, about 1.27 miles east of the ferry terminal along the east shore of Auke Bay has a 220-foot face, and reported alongside depths of 10 to 15 feet in 2002; owned and operated by the City of Juneau.

Auke Bay/Statter Harbor Public Float Facility is along the east shore of Auke Bay about 330 yards north of the Auke Bay Marine Station. There are about 200 transient berths from 17 to 100 feet long and 70 assigned slips. The main pier is connected to the floating breakwater on the south side, which protects the head of Auke Bay. The west end of the breakwater is marked by a light. Mariners are prohibited from anchoring within 400 feet of the Statter Harbor breakwater due to tending anchor lines from the floating facility. Water and electric are available on all the floats. In 2021, the reported depths were 80 to 120 feet alongside the floats. The floats have a 10 day tie-up limit May through September. A large parking area and a float with a surfaced boat- launching ramp on each side are adjacent to the public floats. The Juneau harbormaster has control of the public float facility and the 48-foot grid about 60 yards northeast of the floats. A U.S. Coast Guard patrol boat is stationed at the facility. There is a fuel facility located in Statter Harbor.

One private marina is at the head of Auke Bay, north of the public float facility. The facility can accommodate about 180 small craft, dry storage and minor repairs. A crane capable of handling craft up to 4 tons and forklifts up to 10 tons are available at the marinas. The south side of the facilities is protected by a floating breakwater with a light at its west end.

The National Park Service Pier is at the head of the cove immediately west of Indian Point. This 321-foot pier has a 90-foot face and, in 2002, the reported depth alongside the face was 10 feet. The pier is used to berth Park Service vessels.

Auke Bay has highway connections with Juneau, 12 miles southeast, and with Echo Cove, 21.5 miles north. Juneau Airport is about 2 miles east of Auke Bay on filled ground just east of the mouth of Mendenhall River.

Auke Bay Commercial Loading Facility, just north of the AMHS Ferry Terminal has a large staging lot with loading ramp, a 180-foot by 60-foot float and drive down dock with two cranes; owned by the City of Juneau. A private 45-ton boatlift, haul out, and repair services are also available.


Portland Island to Eagle Harbor

is a wooded island at the junction of Stephens Passage with Saginaw Channel and Favorite Channel. A reef, covered for the most part at high water, extends 0.7 mile northwest from the north end of the island Portland Island Light (), 20 feet above the water and shown on a pile with a red and white diamond-shaped daymark, marks the end of the reef.

connects Stephens Passage with Lynn Canal and separates Mansfield Peninsula, the northwest end of Admiralty Island, from Shelter Island. This channel is used by vessels going from Stephens Passage to Chatham Strait or Icy Strait.

, the south point at the entrance to Saginaw Channel, about 2.8 miles west of the north extremity of Portland Island, is low and wooded; it rises with a gradual slope to Lone Mountain.

, Mount Robert Barron and the low divide between them are conspicuous landmarks on .

, at the northwest end of Stephens Passage and east of the north end of Mansfield Peninsula, separates Saginaw Channel from Favorite Channel. The island is timbered. A dome-shaped peak on the northwest part of the island forms an excellent landmark when coming down Lynn Canal. The southeast part of the island is a long ridge. Reefs extend off the northwest end of the island for about 0.5 mile. Shelter Island Light (), 19 feet above the water, is shown from a frame structure with a red and white diamond-shaped daymark on the southeast side of the island. About 0.2 mile northwest of the light, a reef makes offshore for about 300 yards.

, 0.5 mile south of the southeast end of Shelter Island and marked by a buoy, has 1¼ fathoms over it. It is of small extent and dangerous. Submerged rocks and broken ground are between Strauss Rock and the southeast end of Shelter Island.

, off the south end of Shelter Island and northwest of Strauss Rock, offers good anchorage in 11 fathoms and very good anchorage for small craft in less depth, close to the shore during north weather.

, in the southeast part of Saginaw Channel, bares at half tide and is marked on its south part by Favorite Reef Light 2 (), 33 feet above the water and shown from a pile with a red triangular daymark. The reef is about 0.7 mile long and 0.4 mile from the Shelter Island shore, with a deep channel between, which is seldom used, as it is partially obstructed at its southeast end by a reef that uncovers 6 feet and extends out about 0.2 mile from Shelter Island.

is about 2.8 miles northwest from Symonds Point and about 1.1 miles west of Favorite Reef Light 2. extend about 1.4 miles in a north-northwest direction from Barlow Point.

is on the northeast side of the north end of Mansfield Peninsula. A light on Point Retreat, described in chapter 11, marks the west point of the entrance and the Barlow Islands form the east point of the entrance. The waters throughout the cove are deep. Anchorage may be obtained 0.2 mile from the southeast side at the head, in 15 fathoms, soft bottom.

In entering, favor the Barlow Islands to avoid the foul ground that extends about 0.2 mile offshore southeast of Point Retreat. There is a narrow passage between Barlow Point and the Barlow Islands through which 0.4 fathom can be carried, but it is unfit for vessels and is filled with tidal eddies and swirls except at slack water.

, in Saginaw Channel 1.1 miles from Barlow Islands and in line with them, is of small extent, has 2½ fathoms over it, and is marked on the north side by a lighted bell buoy, which is reported to heel over considerably from icing in the winter. It can be passed on either side.

connects Stephens Passage with Lynn Canal north of Shelter Island. It is the channel used by vessels going from Stephens Passage to upper Lynn Canal points and Skagway. and are prominent from Favorite Channel between Aaron Island and Vanderbilt Reef.

is on the east shore of Favorite Channel, about 2 miles northeast of Shelter Island Light and north of Point Lena. It affords a southeast lee, but the bottom is rocky and is not a good anchorage for large vessels. Rocks awash are close to the northeast shore, north of the north point of the entrance.

, the southwest point at the entrance to Lena Cove, is low and wooded. Rocks awash are about 100 yards from the north shore of the point. The wreck of the SS PRINCESS KATHLEEN is in 8 fathoms about 100 yards west of the point. In 1997, the minimum depth over the wreck was 25 feet at low water.

Four lighted towers are about 0.3 mile to 0.7 mile southeast from Point Lena.

, on the east side of Favorite Channel, 1.5 miles north of Point Lena, affords anchorage in the middle just within the points at the entrance, in 12 to 14 fathoms. During southeast weather, williwaws are severe at times. Small craft avoid these by anchoring in 6 to 9 fathoms at the south end of the south arm close to the beach. Winter north winds can be avoided by small craft by anchoring in the north arm, close to the beach, in 4 to 9 fathoms. Tee Harbor has telephone and highway connections with Juneau. Point Stephens Rock, with ¼ fathom over it and marked by a buoy on its southwest side, is 0.2 mile northwest from , the south point of the entrance. Tee Harbor Light (), 33 feet above the water, is shown from a skeleton tower with a red and white diamond-shaped daymark on the north point of the entrance.

A private marina at the head of the south arm of Tee Harbor operates on a seasonal basis. A private buoy marks a slow no-wake speed zone in the approach to the marina. The marina can accommodate about 120 small craft at the floats. Gasoline, diesel fuel, lubricating oils, greases, limited supplies, ice and a boat-launching ramp are available.

is about 0.9 mile north-northwest from Point Stephens. It is timbered on the north end, bare and rocky on the south end and has two rocks awash, close to the northwest shore.

, 1 mile east of the middle of Shelter Island and 2 miles northwest of Tee Harbor, is wooded. Aaron Island Light 2 (), 20 feet above the water, is shown from a skeleton tower with a triangular red daymark on the northwest side of the island. A grass-covered rock, 35 feet high, is 200 yards north from Aaron Island, to which it is connected by a reef at low water. A shelving ledge, largely covered at half tide, extends 0.2 mile south from the south end of Aaron Island.

, awash at high water, is about 0.6 mile east-southeast of the south end of Aaron Island. A daybeacon is on the west side of the reef.

, about 1.2 miles north of Aaron Island, is awash at highest tides. A rock, 7 feet high, is on the north end of the reef.

, 2.2 miles east of the north extremity of Shelter Island, is wooded.

, about 0.8 mile north-northwest of Bird Island, is wooded. Reefs extend off the south point and the southwest shore for about 250 yards and for about 100 yards off the east shore. A small islet is close to the north end of Gull Island.

, a small landlocked cove about 1.9 miles east of Bird Island, affords good small-craft anchorage in 3 to 4 fathoms, rocky bottom. The harbor has a state-maintained surfaced boat-launching ramp.

, immediately north of Amalga Harbor, affords anchorage in moderate weather. Good holding ground is found in depths of 14 fathoms near midharbor.

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For planning, not navigation. Verify current information before departure.