A protected, wildlife-rich cove on the west side of Glacier Bay near Hugh Miller Inlet, Blue Mouse Cove is a classic first- or last-night anchorage for vessels working the park's western arms.
Blue Mouse Cove sits on the west side of Glacier Bay's main channel, just north of Hugh Miller Inlet and roughly 60 miles northwest of Hoonah. The anchorage is formed by two small islands and a peninsula that together wrap a grassy, wooded basin about a mile across, giving boats a snug, nearly all-round shelter that is rare in the open reaches of the bay.
It is a popular staging anchorage: many cruisers tuck in here for a quiet night before pushing on to Reid Inlet, Johns Hopkins, or the East Arm, and the cove regularly holds several boats with room to spread out. Despite its popularity, crews often report having it entirely to themselves thanks to the park's strict daily vessel cap.
The surrounding shoreline is steep and green, with active wildlife along the beaches and rocks; brown bears foraging at the tideline and kayakers using the cove as a drop-off point are common sights.
Approach notes, hazards to watch for, and what's available once you're tied up.
The cove is approached from the main bay on the west side, entering between the sheltering islands and the peninsula. As with all of Glacier Bay, watch for drifting ice when near the glacial inlets, and verify rocks and shoaling against NOAA chart 17318 before committing to an anchoring spot, since shallow flats extend off the beaches at the cove's head.
Glacier Bay is a regulated National Park: between June 1 and August 31 all vessels must hold a permit, and the park limits private vessels (commonly cited as about 25 per day). Skippers must call the park on VHF (call sign KWM20 Bartlett Cove) before entering and leaving Glacier Bay waters. At Blue Mouse Cove specifically, generators and non-propulsive motors are prohibited from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. in summer, and motorized vessels are barred from neighboring Hugh Miller Inlet in season.
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Source: OpenWeather One Call API + WorldTides.
A curated photo + map walkthrough showing approach, mooring options, and points of interest.
A guided walkthrough of Blue Mouse Cove with approach photos, depth notes, and points of interest — written by members who have been here recently.
Member-uploaded images of this anchorage.
Real first-hand reports and questions answered by members who have actually been here.
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