Neah Bay is a census-designated place (CDP) on the Makah Reservation in Clallam County, Washington, United States. The population was 935 at the 2020 census. It is across the Canada–US border from British Columbia. Europeans originally called it "Scarborough Harbour" in honor of Captain James Scarborough of the Hudson's Bay Company. It was changed to Neah in 1847 by Captain Henry Kellett. Kellett spelled it "Neeah Bay". The name "Neah" refers to the Makah Chief Dee-ah, pronounced Neah in the Klallam language. During the summer months, Neah Bay is a popular fishing area for sports fishermen. Another attraction is the Makah Museum, which houses artifacts from a Makah village partly buried by a mudslide around 1750. Many people also visit to hike the Cape Trail or camp at Hobuck Beach. An emergency response tug is stationed at Neah Bay which has saved 41 vessels since its introduction in 1999.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, Neah Bay has a total area of , all of it land. The community is approximately west-northwest of Seattle.

Climate

Neah Bay has an oceanic climate (Köppen: Cfb), common in the small coastal cities of Washington. Generally speaking, temperatures have little annual fluctuation being strongly influenced by the Pacific Ocean, with the warm currents and patterns of the west as well as the mountains to the east that shape an extremely light climate, even between places in close conditions. Its climate is similar to southern New Zealand, but with cool summers to cold and rarely warm as it is most common in these places. To the west of the Olympic Mountains, Neah Bay has an often rainy climate and usually in larger numbers than the Gulf Coast, the wettest place in the eastern US. Although it is a pretty damp city, its average amount of snow falling is only slightly higher than Norfolk, VA. Sunshine hours are typical for an often hazy temperate climate. Climate data is taken from a weather station on nearby Tatoosh Island that operated until 1966.

Panorama

Demographics

As of the census

thumb|Indian [[Whaling|whalers stripping their prey at Neah Bay - 1910]]

In 1929, the Neah Bay Dock Company, a subsidiary of the Puget Sound Navigation Company, owned a wharf and a hotel at Neah Bay.

In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Neah Bay and the Makah Reservation were closed to anyone who was not a Makah tribal member. The tribal council decided to reopen the reservation on 15 March 2022.

Economy

The local economy is sustained mostly by fishing and tourism. During the summer Neah Bay is a popular fishing area for sports fishermen. Any visitor to the Makah land must buy a recreational permit for US$20. The permit is good for the calendar year.

Fishing for bottom fish, such as ling cod, kelp greenling, black rockfish (sea bass), china rockfish, yellow eye and canary rockfish, among others. Ling cod fishing is good in spring and summer, while salmon fishing is good during summer runs. However, Neah Bay is mostly known for the best halibut fishing in the lower 48 states. The United States halibut season generally lasts a handful of days in May and June, ending when a seasonal quota is attained. When the United States halibut season is closed, some fishermen obtain Canadian fishing licenses and launch from Neah Bay, running approximately to the portion of Swiftsure Bank that lies in Canadian waters.

Popular spots for halibut include "The Garbage Dump", located just inside the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and Swiftsure Bank — a few miles out into the open ocean. Larger boats (including many of the commercial charter boats available) often travel or more into the open ocean, to such places as Blue Dot and 72-Square.

Arts and culture

Neah Bay's significant attraction is the Makah Museum. It houses and interprets artifacts from a Makah village partly buried by a mudslide around 1750 at Ozette, providing a snapshot of pre-contact tribal life. The museum includes a replica longhouse, canoes, basketry and whaling and fishing gear. Many people visit Neah Bay to hike the Cape Trail or camp at Hobuck Beach. While camping, tourists spend time surfing and fishing.

Coast Guard

The United States Coast Guard maintains a base in Neah Bay on the Makah Indian reservation. The base is maintained for search and rescue, environmental protection and maritime law enforcement operations.

The Coast Guard cutter stationed in Cleveland, Ohio is named the Neah Bay (WTGB-105).

Response tug

In order to prevent disabled ships and barges from grounding and causing possible oil spills in the western Strait of Juan de Fuca or off the outer coast, the state funded an emergency response tug stationed at Neah Bay. It has saved 41 vessels since its introduction in 1999.

Notable residents

  • Edward Eugene Claplanhoo — former chairman of the Makah Tribal Council
  • Peter DePoe — drummer for Native American rock group Redbone.
  • Bob Greene — second-to-last surviving Makah veteran of World War II.
  • Ben Johnson, former chairman and member of the Makah Tribal Council (1998–2000, 2001–2007).

Notes

References

  • Kline, Mary S., and Bayless, G.A., Ferryboats: A Legend on Puget Sound, Bayless Books, Seattle, Washington 1983
  • Neah Bay Halibut Fishing
  • University of Washington Libraries Digital Collections – The Pacific Northwest Olympic Peninsula Community Museum A web-based museum showcasing aspects of the rich history and culture of Washington State's Olympic Peninsula communities. Features cultural exhibits, curriculum packets and a searchable archive of over 12,000 items that includes historical photographs, audio recordings, videos, maps, diaries, reports and other documents.
  • Makah Cultural and Research Center Online Museum Exhibit History and culture of the Makah tribe.