A dramatic glacial fjord off Graham Reach where milky green meltwater, tumbling waterfalls, and bears grazing the grassy river estuary make it one of the most scenic - if deep - anchorages on the Inside Passage.
Khutze Inlet branches roughly five miles east off Graham Reach at the southern end of Princess Royal Channel, hemmed in by near-4,000-foot peaks within the K'ootz/Khutze Conservancy. Snowmelt feeds waterfalls that cascade down the granite walls, and the silty meltwater of the Khutze River often tints the head of the inlet a milky green.
The big draw is the broad, grassy estuary delta at the head, where black and grizzly bears commonly come down to feed in spring and early summer. A spectacular waterfall tumbles down the mountain near the anchorage, and seals, eagles, and dolphins are frequently seen. Green Spit, near the inlet mouth, hosts a Kitasoo/Xai'xais Watchmen station.
This is a destination anchorage, not a casual overnight stop - most boats come specifically for the wildlife, the scenery, and the sense of remoteness deep in the conservancy.
Approach notes, hazards to watch for, and what's available once you're tied up.
Entry from Graham Reach is straightforward and deep, with no significant mid-channel dangers along the roughly five-mile run east to the head. The challenge is the bottom: the inlet is extremely deep - hundreds of feet - for most of its length, with only a narrow shelf near shore that shoals very abruptly. Water near the head is often murky with glacial silt, and the bottom comes up sharply at the drying flats off the Khutze River estuary.
A drying spit extends from the south shore of the river mouth into the bay; anchor on the south side of it. Approach slowly, watching the sounder, and set the hook precisely so you are deep enough to stay afloat at low tide but not so deep you cannot get adequate scope. The severe tidal range makes dropping too close to shore risky - a 42-foot boat reportedly went aground here after swinging too near the alluvial fan below the waterfall. An alternative is to tuck behind Green Spit near the mouth.
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 Khutze Inlet 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.
