A vast, wild glacial bay on the northwest shore of Icy Strait just outside Glacier Bay proper, Dundas Bay rewards careful navigators with a permit-free wilderness anchorage in the shadow of the Brady Glacier.
Dundas Bay opens off the northwest side of Icy Strait, north of the Inian Islands and west of Glacier Bay's main entrance. The main bay runs about 2 miles wide and 4 miles long to the north, with extensive drying flats at its head fed by the silty Dundas River, and a narrow, crooked inlet winding northwest toward Taylor Bay. Because it lies inside Glacier Bay National Park but outside the permit-controlled main bay, it offers true wilderness cruising without the entry-permit lottery.
Cruisers typically work into the quieter southwest and northwest arms, where the inner basins give good shelter and a remarkable view toward the Brady Glacier. The water runs very silty from glacial outwash, and the surrounding shores are thick with wildlife: humpbacks, sea otters, harbor seals, sea lions, and salmon runs in the Dundas River.
The bay is steeped in history, with a former salmon cannery on the west shore and an old Tlingit village site near the river mouth. Shore access by dinghy is excellent for exploring streams, flats, and meadows.
Approach notes, hazards to watch for, and what's available once you're tied up.
Entry from Icy Strait is straightforward at Point Dundas, which is bold and steep-to. Inside, however, the bay demands care: numerous deadheads (waterlogged, often vertical floating logs) have been reported throughout, extensive mud flats fill the north end to within about 1.3 miles of the head, and the navigable water lies in narrow deep channels between the flats and along the southwest shore.
Tidal currents run hard in the constrictions and inner arms, with around 2.5 knots at the charted main-bay anchorage and stronger sets near the river mouth. Glacial silt limits visibility, so a bow watch, careful chart work, and rising-tide timing through the shoals are strongly advised. The inner arms can ice over from November into May.
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 Dundas Bay 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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Cruising-distance picks near this anchorage.