Centered around Culross Island and Culross Passage, this region offers highly protected cruising channels and excellent anchorages between Whittier and the central Sound.
The Culross region is a favorite among recreational boaters transiting out of Whittier. Culross Passage is a narrow, deeply sheltered waterway that winds along the western side of Culross Island, providing a quiet, scenic alternative to the open waters of Wells Passage.
Navigation & Safety
Narrow Transits: Culross Passage is highly narrow in several sections, requiring slow speeds, careful watch for small watercraft, and monitoring of the depth finder.
Tidal Currents: Strong currents can run through the narrows of Culross Passage. Time your transit to avoid peak flows if operating low-power vessels or paddling sea kayaks.
Anchorages: The passage houses the beautiful and extremely secure Culross Passage anchorage, offering excellent holding over mud and sand with excellent shelter from all winds.
Key Region Highlights
Culross Passage Transit
Protected Anchorages
Rich Coastal Wildlife
Scenic Shortcut
💨 Weather Telemetry & Multi-Model Forecast
Cross-referenced predictions & active sensor readings
Status: Active Live Query
Cache State: Dynamic / Live Sync
*Values are compiled via API matching and NOAA local models. Predicted wind speed values represent sustained wind estimates in knots. Dynamic variance reflects divergence from global GFS baseline forecasts.
This region transits the Eshamy District / Culross Island Area. During active commercial drift-gillnetting and purse-seine openings, hundreds of commercial fishing vessels deploy nets stretching 900 to 1,500 feet across the channel.
District Coverage: Eshamy District / Culross Island Area
Standard Summer Openings: Frequent drift-gillnetting openings (Mondays/Thursdays)
Navigation Directives inside Net Mazes:
Reduce Speed: Keep vessel at slow transit speeds to avoid drifting gillnets which float just below the surface.
Never Cross Seine Halves: Do not pass between a seining vessel and its active seine skiff. The net block is absolute.
Active Radio Watch: Keep VHF radio tuned to Channel 16 and Channel 10 (standard local commercial coordination).
Identify Net Markers: Look for orange or red poly-balls marking the tail-ends of drift nets. Pass at least 150 feet clear of buoy markers.
Search public Prince William Sound community pages, groups, and fishing logs for active catch reports, target locations, or transit obstacles (shrimping, salmon, halibut).
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