Valdez Arm

The main northern waterway of Prince William Sound, leading through the dramatic Valdez Narrows into the ice-free deepwater Port of Valdez.

📍 146.667°W · 60.983°N 3 Active Anchorages

Region Overview & Navigation

Valdez Arm is the busy commercial shipping highway of the northern Sound. Running northeastward, it acts as the marine gateway for supertankers transiting to and from the Alyeska Pipeline Marine Terminal, as well as cruise ships, commercial seiners, and recreational cruisers.

Navigation & Safety

  • Tanker Traffic & Escort Zones: Be highly alert for large crude oil tankers transiting the arm. Under Federal Homeland Security regulations, a mandatory Naval Vessel Protection Zone (NVPZ) extends in a 500-yard slow-speed buffer and 100-yard exclusion zone around all escorted tankers. Maintain active VHF radio contact.
  • Valdez Narrows: This narrow, steep passage guards the entrance to the Port of Valdez. Transiting tankers have the right-of-way. Always monitor VHF Channel 13 and VHF Channel 16 and stay well clear of the commercial vessel track.
  • Anchorages: Valdez Arm offers excellent, well-protected coves, including Jack Bay, Sawmill Bay, and the dramatic Shoup Bay State Marine Park with its active kittiwake nesting colonies.

Key Region Highlights

Valdez Narrows NVPZ
Alyeska Marine Terminal
Shoup Bay Marine Park
Sawmill Spit Sanctions

Anchorages in Valdez Arm

⚓ Jack Bay State Marine Park
Good Holding Depth: 30-60ft 📍 61.0500°N, 146.6500°W
⚓ Sawmill Bay
Good Holding Depth: 20–50 ft 📍 61.0530°N, 146.7890°W
⚓ Shoup Bay State Marine Park
Fair Holding Depth: 20-50ft 📍 61.1000°N, 146.6000°W