This headland is named after the ship Alligator. The shore is fringed with rocks. A shoal extends 900 m to the north-west from the point with a depth of 9 m shallowing to 1 m with 15 m from the shore. The shoal is made up of large rounds boulders. Small tiderips can occur over the shoal when wind and tide are opposed.
The bay is tucked in behind the southern side of Alligator Head is locally known as the “Punt Rails”. This has been as an anchorage for many years by people waiting to cross the Strait or to return to Queen Charlotte Sound. The holding is good in a shell bottom. This is sheltered anchorage with NW to E winds. There is a considerable roll pushed into the bay by NW winds.
A combined club mooring is laid here. Although a strong mooring it is uncomfortable for use more than two boats at a time because of the surge pushed into the bay by NW winds.
The Punt Rails is not recommended is S to W winds. Moderate SE winds can be acceptable.
