Glacier Bay cuts eastern Lower Bay speed limit to 13 knots to protect feeding humpbacks

Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve imposed a 13-knot speed limit on the eastern side of its Lower Bay designated whale waters starting at 5 AM Friday, effective until further notice.

Acting Superintendent Joni Seay cited humpback whales actively feeding in the zone. "Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve Acting Superintendent Joni Seay announced today a vessel speed limit of 13 knots through the water on the eastern side of the Lower Bay designated whale waters, to protect numerous humpback whales that have been feeding in this area," the park's news release said.

Lower Bay Whale Waters

The Lower Bay Whale Waters, defined in 36 CFR Subpart N, 13.1174, include the waters extending from the mouth of Glacier Bay to a line drawn between the northern tip of Strawberry Island and the northern tip of Lars Island, a boundary shown on NOAA nautical charts. The zone already carries a 20-knot limit from May 15 through September 30, and vessels 18 feet or longer must stay at least 1 nautical mile from shore or hold a mid-channel course. The new 13-knot restriction covers only the eastern portion.

Boaters should proceed cautiously in all areas where whales may be present. Whales may surface in unexpected locations, posing a hazard to both the vessel and the whale. Existing approach rules remain in force alongside the new limit. No vessel may operate within a quarter nautical mile of a humpback whale anywhere in park waters, including waters outside Glacier Bay proper. Any vessel that accidentally closes to that distance must immediately slow to 10 knots or less and turn away. Vessels within a half nautical mile of a whale may not alter course or speed in a way that closes the gap. The speed and course restrictions are intended to reduce disruption of feeding humpback whales and lower the risk of whale-vessel collisions.

Shifting Limits

The park has used temporary 13-knot zones before. A National Park Service resource brief published in May 2026 documented six such temporary whale waters areas designated in 2025 to protect shifting humpback distributions in the mid bay and lower West Arm. The park has moved those limits as whale concentrations shift, removing a restriction from Whidbey Passage in late July 2025 when feeding activity dropped there and adding coverage elsewhere.

Boaters should call 907-697-2627 or hail KWM20 Bartlett Cove on VHF radio to confirm current designations before entering the bay. Chief Ranger Sean Perchalski is the media contact at 907-697-2230.