Decision Point State Marine Park — Anchorage Guide
Overview
Decision Point State Marine Park is situated 8 miles northeast of Whittier at the south entrance to Passage Canal, where it meets Port Wells. Spanning 460 acres, this park is a critical hub and highly popular first-night destination for sea kayakers, pocket cruisers, and pleasure craft departing Whittier. The park features two gravel beaches, wooden tent platforms, a short loop trail, and spectacular views across Wells Passage towards the snow-capped peaks of the Kenai Peninsula.
Approach
The approach to Decision Point is easy and clear of major navigational hazards, but requires careful attention to wind states:
- Approach: Round the prominent timbered headland of Decision Point from the southwest (when leaving Passage Canal). The anchorage is located in the small cove on the southern side of the point.
- Hazards: Keep a sharp lookout for rocky shoals extending immediately off the tip of Decision Point. Stay at least 150 yards offshore when rounding. Glacial growlers and ice debris from Blackstone Bay frequently pass the point and can obstruct the cove entrance during high outflow cycles.
Anchoring
Decision Point offers good, reliable protection from winds blowing out of the southwest, west, and northwest (which frequently funnel down Passage Canal). However, it is fully exposed to strong northerlies, northeasterlies, and easterlies sweeping down Port Wells and Wells Passage.
- Bottom: Gravelly mud and sand. Holding is good once set, but can be uneven in the outer portions of the cove where the bottom slopes steeply.
- Depths: The primary anchorage basin is in 20 to 50 feet of water.
- Anchoring Technique: Due to the steep underwater slope, deploying adequate scope (at least 7:1) is crucial. Pocket cruisers often utilize a stern tie to one of the robust spruce trees along the shore to prevent swinging into deep water or onto the rocky beaches.
Kayak Camping & Trails
Decision Point is designed as a premium eco-tourism kayak destination:
- Tent Platforms: The Alaska State Parks division has constructed several wooden tent platforms tucked into the hemlock forest immediately behind the northern beach, protecting the fragile forest floor.
- Loop Trail: A short, well-maintained 0.25-mile loop trail connects the two gravel beaches, offering spectacular viewpoints of Passage Canal and Wells Passage.
- Wildlife: Sea otters raft in the kelp beds immediately off the point. Humpback whales and Dall’s porpoises are frequently seen transiting the deep-water channel of Wells Passage just offshore.
Notes
- Cell Service: Excellent, highly reliable LTE cell coverage is available across the entire park due to a direct line-of-sight path to the Whittier communications towers.
- Communications: VHF weather broadcasts (WX-1, WX-2) are strong and clear.
- Bear Safety: Black bears are highly active in this area. Utilize the bear-proof food storage lockers located near the tent platforms. All food, trash, and toiletries must be stored securely.
Add to Your Float Plan
Include Decision Point State Marine Park as a waypoint or destination in your float plan for this trip.