A popular all-weather staging anchorage tucked behind a cluster of islands at the junction of Icy Strait and Lynn Canal, with two public state floats and room for a whole fleet to swing.
Swanson Harbor lies at the strategic crossroads where Icy Strait meets Lynn Canal and Chatham Strait, roughly 25 to 40 miles from Juneau. Cradled between Couverden, Ansley, and Entrance Islands, it is larger and more sheltered than the chart suggests, and it has long served as the natural staging stop for boats waiting out weather before crossing toward Glacier Bay, Juneau, or up Lynn Canal.
Two state-maintained public floats sit parallel to shore on a first-come, first-served basis. The floats are deliberately unattached to land, which keeps them free of bears and avoids the cost of long ramps in this big-tide country. Water stays deep, around 35 feet, right up to the float, though the shore-side berth thins out at low water.
There is ample room to anchor as well. A large rock sits near the center of the harbor, but plenty of swinging room remains around it, and larger vessels typically tuck into the west side of the harbor in the lee of the land.
Approach notes, hazards to watch for, and what's available once you're tied up.
The approach is rock-strewn and demands attention. Vessels must thread past a series of rocks, reefs, and ledges, several topped with serrated ridges, that guard the entrance among the islands. A prominent ledge separates Swanson Harbor from the adjacent rocky bay on Couverden Island and is hugely visible at low tide, providing a useful visual reference.
Use a current large-scale chart and favor a mid-tide or higher approach for the best read on the hazards. Once past the entrance rocks the harbor opens up with good depths; mind the large rock near the center of the basin when choosing a spot to anchor.
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 Swanson Harbor 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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