Approaching Cape Douglas from Cook Inlet.
Chart 16640 and 16648
Cook Inlet separates the eastern from western Gulf of Alaska coast. It is a 180 mile (north to south), 39,000 square mile bay whose waters surge in and out twice a day with some of the bigger and more forceful tides on the continent. To follow the Gulf of Alaska coast to the Alaska Peninsula and waters beyond it is necessary to cross Cook Inlet.
From Homer the direct route to the west is to Cape Douglas, some 90 miles to the southwest, at the corner of Cook Inlet and Shelikof Strait. Starting at Seldovia cuts 15–20 nm off that, and Port Graham Bay another 15. There is also a shorter passage of about 45 nm across Cook Inlet by steaming directly west from Homer to Iliamna Bay. Crossing to Iliamna Bay rather than Cape Douglas makes for a longer trip if the objective is to head west on Shelikof Strait toward the Kodiak archipelago or the Alaska Peninsula.
Notes on Crossing Cook Inlet
- Both ebb and flood currents can be swift, especially during spring tides. Predominant southwest and southeast winds, when opposing ebb tides, can push up breaking seas big enough that they can destroy small fishing vessels. Northwest and northeast winds can have nearly the same effect on flood tides.
- The Barren Islands and waters of Kennedy Entrance often have particularly harsh weather and sea conditions. Transiting vessels are advised to stay clear of the Barrens if possible. The islands lack secure anchorage.
- All vessel traffic is prohibited in a three-mile no-transit zone around the Steller sea lion rookery on Sugarloaf Island in the Barren Islands group.
- For reference, consult Coast Pilot 9, Chapter 4, pp. 201–204