Humboldt Bay Area: ~22 Square Miles of Northern California Coast

Geography & Size

Humboldt Bay (Wiyot: Wigi) is a natural harbor on California's North Coast, formed by the Eel River estuary.

Key Metrics

• Total area: ~22 sq mi (57 km²)
• Components: Arcata Bay (north), Eureka Bay (central), South Bay (south)
• Length: ~14 mi (north–south)
• Entrance: Narrow channel at Samoa Peninsula, marked by Point St. George
• Cities: Eureka (east), Arcata (north), Samoa (west peninsula)

Ecological & Economic Importance

• Major oyster farming (CA's largest)
• Critical wetland habitat (Humboldt Bay NWR)
• Commercial fishing port (Eureka)
• Shipping (limited by channel depth)
• Recreation: kayaking, birding, hiking

Second-largest enclosed bay in California after San Francisco Bay.