Bettles Bay State Marine Park

Bettles Bay State Marine Park is situated on the scenic western shore of Port Wells, approximately 20 miles northeast of Whittier. Spanning 440 acres of spectacular coastal hemlock-spruce forest, this park is a prized refuge for cruising mariners and kayakers seeking reliable storm protection. Known for its rich early 20’s gold rush history, the bay offers an incredible combination of deep-water holding, alpine views, and historical exploration.

⚓ Moorage & Anchoring Tactics

Bettles Bay is widely considered one of the safer protected anchorages in the Port Wells corridor:

Holding Ground: The bottom is comprised of a thick, cohesive mixture of glacial mud, sand, and fine silt. Anchoring holding is good to excellent once the fluke is fully set.
Moorage Placement: The best moorage is found in the inner half of the bay in 30 to 70 feet of water. Drop anchor centered in the cove to allow for a wide swinging room, as local katabatic winds can sweep off the surrounding ridges during weather transitions.
Wind Protection: The surrounding high peaks provide outstanding shelter from the strong southerly and westerly blows that whip up Wells Passage. Only easterly winds can funnel moderate chop into the bay, though the outer spit absorbs the brunt of open fjord swells.
Tidal Current and Sills: While currents within Bettles Bay are negligible, Wells Passage currents can run strong. Additionally, mariners heading south toward Harrison Lagoon must navigate the highly shallow glacial moraine sill at the lagoon’s entrance. Keeled vessels must avoid entering Harrison Lagoon, as the entrance sill is a notorious grounding hazard that goes dry at low tides.

⛺ Historical Remnants & Wilderness Exploration

The park contains the historical remains of early 20th-century mining operations that once operated along the rocky shores:

The Bettles Bay Stamp Mill: On the southern shoreline of the inner bay, keen eyes can spot rusted boilers, machinery gears, and decaying wooden pilings from the old stamp mill. Gold ore was once hauled down from the high alpine shafts via tramways to be crushed here.
Shoreline Access: A rocky beach provides easy landing for tenders, skiffs, and kayaks at half-tide or higher. Low tides expose slippery, seaweed-covered boulders that require careful footing.
Leave No Trace Camping: Backpackers and kayakers can find small, flat gravel and grass clearings for pitching tents above the high-water mark along the western spit. Ensure zero impact and pack out all solid waste.
Bear Awareness: Prince William Sound black bears are active along the salmon streams at the head of the bay. Use on-board food storage or approved bear-proof canisters; there are no public bear lockers on site.

[!WARNING] SUBMERGED PILINGS & DEBRIS HAZARD: Exercise extreme caution when approaching the southern and western shorelines of the inner bay. Rotting wooden pilings, rusted steel rods, and submerged mining flotsam remain from the gold rush era. Keep a vigilant bow lookout, proceed at steerage speed, and do not attempt to anchor or beach vessels within 100 yards of the historic mill ruins.

📋 Critical Mariner Checklist

Verify Anchor Set: Glacial mud can sometimes ball up on the fluke; back down slowly to ensure the anchor has sliced through the top silt layer.
Plot Harrison Lagoon Sills: If planning a side trip to Harrison Lagoon, do not attempt entry with a keeled vessel. Staging tenders or kayaks should time the transit strictly at high slack water.
Rig Anchor Riding Light: Bettles Bay is a frequent stopover for commercial gillnetters during salmon openings; keep your anchor light illuminated from dusk to dawn.
Pack Bear Deterrents: Carry EPA-approved bear spray and keep a clean campsite to avoid attracting black bears feeding on shoreline vegetation.
Monitor Weather channels: Listen to VHF WX-2 (Whittier) for updates on sudden pressure-gradient winds flowing off Port Wells.