Humboldt Bay Maritime Museum

The Humboldt Maritime Museum brings nautical history alive

Stop in at our new location, next to the Samoa Cookhouse, and view exhibits that include artifacts related to ships and lighthouses. Come and explore the vast maritime history of California's north coast, from shipwrecks to shipbuilding.  

The Humboldt Bay Maritime Museum also operates the M.V. Madaket, the oldest passenger carrying vessel in continuous operation in the United States. She is the last of the Humboldt Bay ferry boats, has never been over the Humboldt bar, is a state historic vessel and has on board the smallest licensed bar in the state of California. The Madaket was built on the shore of Humboldt Bay and launched onto its placid waters on June 6, 1910. Narrated tours of the bay are available May thru October.

Along with her sister ships, The Madaket not only carried passengers but also barged lumber, ties, shingles and log rafts to awaiting ships and mills. As the years passed a variety of passengers from families, mill workers and early day sightseers were transported throughout the bay to as many as ten landings. These vessels operated seven days a week, 24 hours a day, plying the waters with no fewer than 1,200 to 1,500 people a day.

Summer Hours: 11 a.m. To 4 p.m.       
Wednesday through Sunday (subject to change)   From Eureka: Take the Bridge (Hwy 255) to Samoa, take a left at the foot of the bridge to Samoa and follow signs to the Samoa Cookhouse.   From Arcata: Take Samoa Blvd.(Hwy 255), thru Manila to Samoa and follow signs to the Samoa Cookhouse.