Day Harbor facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Day Harbor |
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 Day Harbor
Location in Alaska
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| Location | Kenai Peninsula, Alaska |
| Coordinates | 59°59′N 149°09′W / 59.99°N 149.15°W |
| Primary inflows | Ellsworth River, Bootleg River, Selenite River, Talus Creek |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 13.5 mi (21.7 km) |
| Max. width | 5 mi (8.0 km) |
| Average depth | 500 ft (150 m) |
| Max. depth | 666 ft (203 m) |
| Islands | 1 |
| Sections/sub-basins | Driftwood Bay, Killer Bay, Safety Cove, Talus Bay, Anchor Cove, Bowen Anchorage |
Day Harbor is a large bay located on the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska, United States. A bay is a part of a sea or lake that extends into the land, forming a wide curve. This beautiful bay got its name in 1787 from Captain Portlock. He named it "Day Harbor" because it usually took a whole day (about 12 hours) to travel by boat from Seward to the very end of the bay.
Day Harbor is about 25 miles away from Seward. You can only reach it by boat, as there are no roads leading directly to it. The bay has a gentle J-shape and is separated from Resurrection Bay on its western side by the Resurrection Peninsula. Many boaters like to anchor in the two State Marine Parks found here. This is a good idea because the outer parts of Day Harbor can often have choppy waters and unpredictable weather. Other places to anchor on the eastern side include Anchor Cove and Bowen Anchorage.
A popular activity in Day Harbor is hiking to Ellsworth Lake. This lake is at the very end of the bay, where the Ellsworth Glacier is slowly melting and breaking off into the water. Most of the land around Day Harbor is privately owned, with over 400 different properties.
Exploring Day Harbor's State Parks
Day Harbor is home to two amazing Alaska State Parks that offer great outdoor adventures. These parks are perfect for exploring the natural beauty of the area.
Driftwood Bay State Marine Park
Driftwood Bay State Marine Park covers a huge area of about 1,480 acres. It's a wild and undeveloped place, meaning you won't find many buildings or facilities here. The main things people do in this park are boating, fishing, or simply enjoying the beautiful scenery. It's mostly a park for day trips, as there aren't any places to stay overnight on shore.
Safety Cove State Marine Park
Safety Cove State Marine Park is another wonderful park, covering about 960 acres, which includes parts of the bay's waters. Like Driftwood Bay, it's also undeveloped, offering a true wilderness experience. Safety Cove is a great spot if you enjoy camping on the beach. It also has a small freshwater lake and provides access to the higher parts of the Resurrection Peninsula, perfect for hikers who want to explore the mountains.
