A wild outer-coast bight on the west side of Baranof Island, about 16 miles south of Sitka, where two city-maintained cedar bathhouses pipe natural hot-spring water to soaking tubs a short dinghy ride from the anchorage.
Goddard Hot Springs sits in Hot Springs Bay on the exposed western shore of Baranof Island, off the southern edge of Sitka Sound. For generations Tlingit people came here for the healing waters; a sanitarium operated in the early 20th century, and today the City and Borough of Sitka owns the site and maintains two modern cedar bathhouses for public use.
Each bathhouse holds a soaking tub plumbed with very hot natural spring water (well over 140 F) plus a cold valve so soakers can mix it to a tolerable temperature. The tubs sit just above the beach with views out over the bay and anchored boats, reached by a short dinghy run and a boardwalk ashore.
It is a popular and often busy stop for Sitka-based cruisers and charter boats, prized for the rare combination of a comfortable wilderness soak and dramatic outer-coast scenery.
Approach notes, hazards to watch for, and what's available once you're tied up.
The bay opens to the west off Sitka Sound and is studded with rocks, islets and shoals, most notably around the Hot Springs Islands fronting the cove; local charter operators routinely thread visitors through these obstructions, so this is not a place to enter without a current chart and careful piloting. Approach in good visibility, identify the off-lying rocks before committing, and favor a lead between the islets that the chart confirms is clear.
Because it faces the open Gulf of Alaska coast, the anchorage is exposed to westerly and southwesterly wind and ocean swell; in any onshore weather it can become rolly or untenable. The off-lying islets give partial shelter on a calm day but should not be relied on as all-weather protection.
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 Goddard Hot Springs 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.
No reviews yet. Be the first.
Cruising-distance picks near this anchorage.