A snug, steep-walled bay on the inside east coast of Moresby Island, long reputed as the best all-weather hidey-hole in the Darwin Sound area, complete with a tidal falls at its head where black bears fish for salmon.
Echo Harbour tucks into the east side of Moresby Island just south of Anna Inlet, ringed on three sides by steep, forested hills that give it an immediate feeling of strength and security. At its head sits a salmon estuary with a small tidal falls, a productive pink stream that draws black bears in season and makes the harbour a favourite for kayakers and wildlife watchers.
The usual anchorage lies in roughly 18 m (about 59 ft) over reasonable holding, with a meadow at the head and a drying lagoon to the west. The lagoon itself is not suitable for anchoring but is popular with paddlers exploring by kayak.
Despite its strong reputation, the same encircling mountains that make Echo Harbour feel safe can funnel and accelerate wind down into the bay during a hard southeasterly gale, so it is calm in most conditions but can deliver fierce, gusty williwaws when it blows.
Approach notes, hazards to watch for, and what's available once you're tied up.
Access is through a narrow, north-facing channel off the Darwin Sound system. This is a remote, island-strewn part of Gwaii Haanas, so the approach should be run carefully against current CHS charts; depths shoal toward the head, where a meadow and a drying lagoon flank the basin.
The principal hazard is weather, not rock: in a southeasterly blow the steep surrounding hills funnel wind down into the harbour, producing violent gusts (one cruising account logged 35-45 kt inside while Hecate Strait saw large seas). Set plenty of scope, watch for the anchor circling and fouling its own chain in shifting gusts, and avoid the drying lagoon. VHF reception is poor.
Wind protection summary and tide planning at a glance. Full per-direction and 7-day detail with Plus.
Live readings from the nearest OpenWeather station and WorldTides; refreshed every few minutes.
Source: OpenWeather One Call API + WorldTides.
A curated photo + map walkthrough showing approach, mooring options, and points of interest.
A guided walkthrough of Echo Harbour with approach photos, depth notes, and points of interest — written by members who have been here recently.
Real first-hand reports and questions answered by members who have actually been here.
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Cruising-distance picks near this anchorage.
