Tucked along the shores of Lynn Canal near Haines, St. James Bay State Marine Park offers a quiet refuge for boaters and kayakers exploring Southeast Alaska’s Inside Passage. This marine park sits within one of the deepest fjords in North America, surrounded by the dramatic peaks of the Chilkat Range and dense Sitka spruce forest that drops right to the waterline.

St. James Bay is best known as a sheltered anchorage — a welcome sight for mariners navigating the sometimes unpredictable waters of Lynn Canal. The protected cove provides calm water even when winds pick up in the main channel, making it a popular overnight stop for sailboats and kayakers traveling between Juneau and Haines. A mooring buoy and small beach landing area give visitors access to shore.

On land, beachcombing at low tide reveals sea stars, anemones, and tidal pool life. Brown bears and black bears are common in the surrounding forest, and humpback whales frequently surface in the adjacent waters during summer months. Bald eagles nest in the tall conifers above the bay.

The best time to visit is June through August, when Southeast Alaska sees its longest days and mildest weather — though “mild” here still means packing rain gear. Water access is the only way in; there are no road connections.

St. James Bay rewards visitors who arrive by boat or paddle with solitude, wildlife, and the raw coastal beauty that defines Alaska’s marine park system. Come prepared for self-sufficiency and expect to have the bay largely to yourself.

Explore Nearby

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