South Esther Island State Marine Park

Overview

South Esther Island State Marine Park is located on the southern end of Esther Island in western Prince William Sound, approximately 19 miles northeast of Whittier. The park encompasses two major marine basins: Lake Bay and Quillian Bay.

It is best known as the home of the Wally H. Noerenberg Hatchery, one of the largest single-site salmon hatcheries in the world, which releases millions of pink, chum, and coho salmon annually. The surrounding waters are extremely popular with recreational boaters, sport anglers, and the commercial purse-seine fleet.

Approach & Hazards

When approaching Lake Bay from the south:

Commercial Fleet Congestion: During commercial salmon openings (mainly June through August), Lake Bay becomes intensely congested with purse-seiners, tenders, and support boats. Navigate with extreme caution and maintain safe distances from active nets.
Hatchery Infrastructure: Watch for floating net pens, mooring buoys, and heavy aquaculture infrastructure in the inner portions of Lake Bay. Do not block hatchery operations or tender lanes.
Winds: The entrance is relatively open to southern and southwestern winds funneling up Port Wells, which can create a moderate chop.

Anchoring

Quillian Bay: Offers the best wilderness anchorage in the park, situated just west of Lake Bay. Anchor in 40–80 feet over mud and sand. It provides good holding and is more sheltered from hatchery noise than Lake Bay.
Lake Bay: Transient anchoring is possible but limited due to deep water and hatchery structures. Favor the eastern or western shores of the outer bay in 50–90 feet, checking scope carefully.

Facilities & Camping

No Cabins: There are no reservable public use cabins inside the marine park boundaries.
Tent Platforms: Basic wooden tent platforms are set along the shore for low-impact camping.
Hiking: Foot trails lead through dense coastal spruce forest to the scenic shores of Esther Lake, offering excellent exploration for paddlers and cruisers.
Hatchery Welcoming: When operations permit, staff at the Wally H. Noerenberg Hatchery welcome small groups and may offer educational tours. Hail on VHF Channel 16 to request access before landing.