Sitka to Deep Bay

After warm goodbyes to our friends on Escapade and Empress, we eased out of our slip at Float 2 in Sitka—carefully, thanks to a minus 3-foot tide. Today’s destination: Deep Bay, 33 miles ahead with one key obstacle—Sergius Narrows.

Sergius has a reputation, and rightfully so. With currents that can rip through at 7 knots, most mariners—us included—opt for slack water. Today’s was at 1:20 p.m., so we throttled back to avoid arriving too early.

As predicted, the AIS lit up with boats converging from both directions. Four targets, all checking in on the radio and negotiating passes like seasoned pros. It was textbook: smooth, courteous, and well-timed. Alaska really does attract good boat handlers.

We entered Deep Bay alone, but not for long.

This anchorage lives up to its name—it’s deep… until it isn’t. The head shallows up quickly, and it’s cluttered with crab pots right where you’d want to drop the hook. After circling and dodging the crab pots, we opted instead to anchor just west of Grasstop Rock, near the mouth. Cozy anchorage by Alaskan standards, with grassy shores and decent protection.

Setting the hook took three tries thanks to the rocky bottom. When it’s like this, I like to let out extra rode for the set, then pull it back in once the anchor bites. Worked like a charm.

The current ebbed and flowed, but the breeze stayed calm, making for a peaceful afternoon. Eventually, four more boats joined us—including a late-arriving Bayliner that brought a wake worthy of its own VHF warning. One anchored near the western shore, the others braved the crab minefield at the head.

Karen, on a wildlife spotting streak, scored again—this time a grizzly sow and two cubs grazing the sedge grass to our southeast. We had front-row seats to hours of foraging and bear family bonding. A perfect Alaskan evening.