Hotham Inlet is a major saltwater feature of Kotzebue Sound in northwestern Alaska. It is a wide, shallow inlet with a significant tidal range and complex navigation. The inlet receives the outflow of the Kobuk River, forming an extensive delta. The primary paddling characteristic is its exposure; the inlet can be eight miles wide, presenting a substantial open-water crossing that is highly susceptible to wind. Conditions can change rapidly, with winds capable of generating one-to-two-foot waves with whitecaps, making crossings challenging and requiring careful weather assessment. The entrance to the inlet from Kotzebue Sound is characterized by a bar with mud flats and very narrow channels, some as shallow as three feet deep. This creates a dynamic surf zone and shifting entry points that require local knowledge or detailed charts for safe passage. Tidal currents are a significant factor, with paddlers noting the benefit of favorable afternoon currents for travel. The surrounding landscape is a vast, treeless coastal plain. There are no developed launches or facilities. Historical accounts describe traditional Inupiaq camps along the beach with kayaks and umiaks ready for launch, indicating that access is primarily via natural shoreline. The area is rich in historical and cultural significance, having been a site for 19th-century trading camps and the starting point for several early government exploration expeditions. Wildlife is present, with trails of moose and caribou noted along the sandbars of the adjoining Kobuk Delta. Paddling here is a remote, expedition-style endeavor suited for experienced kayakers prepared for self-sufficiency, variable weather, strong tides, and potentially rough water. The best season is during the brief Arctic summer, but even then, paddlers must be prepared to wait days for suitable crossing conditions.