Tucked into the wild coastline near Kake in Southeast Alaska, Security Bay State Marine Park offers one of the region’s most sheltered natural anchorages. The bay’s narrow entrance opens into a calm, protected harbor surrounded by dense Tongass National Forest growth—a combination that has drawn mariners seeking refuge from the unpredictable waters of Chatham Strait for generations.

The park is a working waterfront for wildlife. Brown bears fish along the creek mouths feeding into the bay, harbor seals haul out on rocky ledges, and bald eagles patrol from the surrounding Sitka spruce canopy. During salmon runs, the bay comes alive with feeding activity that draws both predators and photographers alike.

Kayaking is the standout way to explore Security Bay. The protected waters make it accessible even for intermediate paddlers, and the shoreline reveals tidal pools, rocky intertidal zones, and quiet coves worth lingering in. Fishing for salmon and halibut draws anglers, while beachcombing along the gravel shores turns up everything from sea glass to bear tracks.

There are no developed facilities here—no docks, no restrooms, no maintained trails. This is Alaska at its most unvarnished. Most visitors arrive by boat or floatplane, anchoring in the bay and going ashore by skiff or kayak.

The best window to visit runs from late May through September, when longer daylight hours and milder temperatures make marine travel more forgiving. Come prepared for rain, solitude, and the kind of quiet that only roadless Alaska delivers.

Explore Nearby

• Five Finger Islands Light — Lighthouse in Alaska
• Fairway Island Light — Lighthouse in Alaska
• Tongass National Forest — National Forest in Alaska