Cruising
the South Coast of British Columbia
Sunshine
Coast and Vancouver:
Boating
in this region
takes you along the mainland of British Columbia from Howe Sound to
Desolation
Sound. The
Sunshine Coast, has one of the highest totals of sunshine in
Canada, as the name infers. Sandy beaches, mountains, inlets and waterfalls
make sailing and exploring this region fun.
Points of interest in and around Vancouver include White
Rock, Boundary Bay, Crescent Beach, Tsawwassen Beach, Steveston
Harbour and Cannery Channel. All offer mooring and anchorage.
Sunset
on Coal Harbour, Vancouver
Vancouver,
on Burrard Inlet, the largest city in B.C. is also one of the most beautiful
cities along the west coast. Many anchorage spots are available at both
Vancouver Harbour and False Creek. Boaters who live in Vancouver are
only minutes away from good sailing.
One of these boating locations is Indian Arm,
which is part of Burrard Inlet. Indian Arm Marine
Park includes almost the entire fjord, with anchorage
facilities at Belcarra Bay, Deep Cove Government
Wharf and Bedwell Bay.
Howe Sound, like Indian Arm is only minutes from downtown Vancouver
and offers small boat owners hours of pleasant cruising. Within the
Sound are many islands including Bowen and Gambier, while at the north
end of the Sound is Squamish.
Throughout Howe Sound are good anchorage sites at private marinas and
government wharfs. Shelter is available at Snug Cove, Deep Bay, Hood
Point, Halkett Bay, Anvil Island, and Squamish. There are two marine
parks in Howe Sound, they are Porteau Cove and Plumper Cove,
both have protected anchorage sites. On leaving Howe Sound and heading
for the Sunshine Coast the town of Gibsons offers good anchorage and
shopping facilities.
Mists
over Howe Sound
From Howe
Sound to Pender Harbour there are only a couple of anchorage
spots, they are at Halfmoon Bay, Buccaneer Bay, Smuggler Cove and Secret
Cove. You have now left the Strait
of Georgia and entered the Malaspina Strait. Once at Pender
Harbour, there are marinas and good anchorage, stores, repair shops
and restaurants. Pender Harbour is a stop over for boats heading north,
south or making their way up Jervis Inlet.
To enter Sechelt Inlet, you must run Sechelt Rapids
(Skookumchuck Rapids), do so at near or slack
water. Once in Sechelt Inlet, enjoy the many places
to explore with anchorage at Egmont, Storm Bay
and Tzoonie Narrows.
Jervis Inlet is a very picturesque cruise with few anchorage spots.
Thunder Bay offers sheltered anchorage along the western shore and can
provide the launching for your trip to Princess Louisa and Chatterbox
Falls. Find anchorage at Harmony Islands, Killam Bay, while McMurray
Bay offers temporary shelter close to the beach. To get into Princess
Louisa Inlet you must make it through Malibu Rapids. Run these rapids
at or near slack water. On reaching the inlet, the scenery is awesome,
surrounded by high mountains that drop right into the calm azure blue
water. Princess
Louisa Provincial Marine Park offers a long dock that will hold
many boats, or anchor just below Chatterbox Falls.
Continuing north along the coast, cruising the Malaspina Strait, there
are a couple of excellent stops featuring protected anchorage. Grief
Point marks the northern end of Malaspina Strait, which can be rough.
Westview is the cruise boaters moorage for Powell
River, which is a couple of miles away, but definitely worth
the hike. The town of Lund
is the last town before Desolation Sound, and an excellent place to
stock up on needed food supplies, water, marine supplies and fuel. The
protected public marina offers good moorage.
Desolation Sound and Bute Inlet:
Desolation
Sound is the largest marine park in southern British Columbia.
The sound is calm with an abundance of wildlife and has the warmest
waters along the coast. This is a fun area to explore with old logging,
farming and aboriginals sites. The several islands not only offer good
anchorage sites, but add to your cruise experience. Captain Vancouver
in 1792 named it Desolation Sound, because of the rugged appearance,
the silence and the fog. Today, it is one of the main boating spots
for city dwellers, wanting to get away from it all. The most popular
destinations within Desolation Sound are Grace Harbour, Tenedos Bay
and Prideaux Haven. Grace Harbour has anchorage along the shore, while
Tenedos Bay offers protected anchorage in many coves. Then there is
Prideaux Haven, with unsurpassed scenery, old historic sites and settlements,
with places that offer protection when anchored. One can spend weeks
boating in this area, making your way along Cortes Island, East and
West Redonda Islands. Cruise Pendrell Sound, with its warm waters and
large oyster culture farm. Anchorage can be found at the head of the
Sound and on the western shore about three-quarters of the way up the
Sound.
Refuge Cove, on West Redonda Island, is a well-known
meeting place for Desolation Sound travellers,
with a large anchorage area, a fuel dock, shops
and store. It is very busy during the summer and
you might have to wait your turn to find a docking
place. Squirrel Cove, on Cortes Island, is landlocked
and protected. Replenish supplies at the store
above the dock. Another spot, which has good anchorage
and a fun place to visit, is Von Donop Inlet and
Marine Park on Cortes.
