A well-protected mud-bottom anchorage just inside U.S. waters, Foggy Bay is the classic overnight staging stop for boats crossing Dixon Entrance between Prince Rupert and Ketchikan.
Tucked into the east shore of Revillagigedo Channel about halfway between Prince Rupert, BC and Ketchikan, Foggy Bay is the natural place to break the open-water run across Dixon Entrance. The preferred spot is the inner anchorage at the bay's south end, sheltered behind a protecting island, where there is room for a good number of boats in mud that holds well throughout. Commercial fishing boats tend to lie in the outer bay; cruisers push inside for the calm.
Because it sits just inside the U.S. border, Foggy Bay is overwhelmingly used as a customs-staging anchorage. Vessels arriving from Canada commonly phone the Ketchikan CBP office in advance to obtain permission to overnight at Foggy Bay without first clearing customs, then continue to Ketchikan to clear in the next day. Cruisers should confirm current CBP requirements before relying on this, as stopping in U.S. waters before clearing is otherwise not permitted.
The setting is quiet and scenic, with black bears often seen along the shore and a seasonally staffed Fish and Game warden cabin at the north end of the anchorage. Note that Very Inlet, sometimes confused with Foggy Bay, is a separate inlet a few miles away with its own narrow tidal rapids.
Approach notes, hazards to watch for, and what's available once you're tied up.
The approach demands care: the entrance is a narrow channel that is hard to spot until close in, and the area is studded with rocks. Underwater rocks extend up to about 0.6 nm offshore from Foggy Point on the southern approach, and rocks both above and below water reach up to about 0.7 nm out from the De Long Islands on the northern approach. A reef off the south end of the protecting island covers at high tide. Favor a mid-channel approach and proceed slowly while picking out the entrance.
Foggy Bay's whole reason for being is shelter from Dixon Entrance, which is fully exposed to Pacific swell and can become dangerous quickly; fog (as the name implies) is common and compounds the navigation challenge. Time the crossing for settled weather and use the inner anchorage, which is reported to be fully protected from all winds once inside.
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 Foggy Bay 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.
