Three-Week Desolation
Sound Flotilla Itinerary
Week 1
Day 1 Bellingham to Bedwell
Harbor (Poet's
Cove) - Sail around the north end of the
San Juan Islands archipelago to Bedwell
Harbor on South Pender Island, BC. This
is the Canadian Customs clearance point and the entrance to the
Gulf Islands. Dock at the
beautiful, new Poet's
Cove Resort and Spa, taking advantage of the resorts pools, hot tubs, tennis
court, pub and restaurant. Or you may tie up to a mooring buoy at nearby
Beaumont Park (a short dinghy ride to the
resort).
Day 2 Bedwell Harbor to Telegraph
Harbor - Wind you way north through the forested shores of the
Canadian
Gulf Islands into Telegraph
Harbour. Telegraph offers 2 marinas plus anchorage options, a general store,
barbecue area, and pub/restaurant. Get there early and you’ll have time to take
the inter-island ferry to Chemainus, a charming
Vancouver island town offering boutiques,
antique shops and live theatre. (The ferry stops at both marinas.)
Day 3 Telegraph Harbor to Nanaimo -
Head north along Thetis Island and the unspoiled shores of four smaller islands. Slip through
Dodd Narrows at slack to dock at the
Nanaimo Port Authority. This city-front marina is located directly adjacent to
the city with shops, cafes, grocery shopping and a beer/wine/liquor agency all
within walking distance. It’s an excellent "jumping off point" to head across
the Strait of Georgia to the Sunshine
Coast and a great place to
replenish your provisions before heading north. Nanaimo also offers a variety of
restaurants and shopping.
Day 4 Nanaimo to Secret Cove -
Cross the broad expanse of the Strait of Georgia and head north through Welcome
Passage to well-protected Secret Cove. Anchor (stern-tie option) or dock at the
Secret Cove Marina. Peruse the local arts and crafts. The marina provides a
restaurant, fuel, power, showers, ice, and a small selection of groceries, beer
and wine.
Day 5 Secret Cove to Lund - You'll
head due north past Powell River up Malaspina Strait to a tiny fishing village
at the doorstep of Desolation Sound. Lund provides docks (including floating
docks without services), a small market and beautiful pub/restaurant overlooking
the Strait of Georgia with its spectacular sunsets. In the morning, it’s a short
stroll to a bakery with lots of delicious fresh-daily treats and specialty
espresso coffees before departure.
Day 6 Lund to Grace Harbour - Then it’s
north through scenic Thulin Passage between the Copeland
Islands and the Malaspina
Peninsula. And into Desolation Sound with its glacier backdrop and pristine
scenery that make this one of the most spectacular vistas in
North America! Then around the peninsula to
protected Grace Harbour for a stern tie and
dinghy ride to it’s nature trails.
Day 7 Grace Harbor to Campbell River
- A nice run west across the south end of Desolation Sound (have your cameras
ready!) to Discovery Harbor Marina in Campbell River. Clean and tidy, with
restrooms, shower and laundry. Provisioning, shopping, restaurants, liquor store
and pub/restaurant right at the top of the docks. 15 minute taxi ride to
airport, 5 minute taxi ride to float planes at Tyee Spit.
Week 2
Day 8 Campbell River to Octopus Islands - Around the south end of Quadra
Island, then north up Hoskyn Channel and through
Surge Narrows. Anchor among an emerald
cluster of islets. Idyllic coves and bays to explore with dinghy or kayak, or
just sit back and relax and drink in the vistas.
Day 9 Octopus Islands to Toba Inlet (Wildernest)
- From the Octopus Islands time the slack to breeze through Hole in the Wall and
into the wide mountain-lined channels leading into Toba Inlet. As time and wind
allows, make a run northeast along Toba and enjoy the many waterfalls. Overnight
at the docks of the
Toba Wildernest Marina.
Day 10 Toba Inlet to Prideaux Haven’s
Melanie Cove - Down Homfray Channel around the east shore of East Redonda Island to one of
the loveliest anchorages in Desolation Sound with its myriad of interconnected
tiny coves for dinghy and kayak exploration. Great hiking trails to the coves if
it’s time to stretch your legs. Hope you like oysters and clams!
Day 11 Melanie Cover to Von Donop Inlet
- East past Mink Island then northwest up Lewis
Channel where it seems like you can touch each shore as you glide along. A long,
narrow, serpentine entrance leads to a peaceful, completely protected, lake-like
anchorage.
Day 12 Von Donop Inlet to Squirrel Cove
- A lovely protected anchorage with islets and it's own lagoon. A gorgeous
360-degree lagoon view. Plan on a bon-fire on one of the islets…it’s a
tradition! Nearby settlement offers small grocery, liquor store and chandlery as
well as laundry.
Day 13 Squirrel Cove to Campbell River
- Down past Kinghorn Island, around Mary
Point and through the scenic
Twin Islands. You’ll continue
west around the reefs of Sutil Point, then a nice sail west to Cape Mudge and up
into Campbell River for a “night on the town” starting at Discovery Harbor
Marina and its adjacent restaurants and pubs. 15 minute taxi ride to airport, 5
minute taxi ride to float planes at Tyee Spit.
Day 14 Campbell River lay day -
Some charter guests will be departing for home (15 minute taxi ride to airport,
5 minute taxi ride to float planes at Tyee Spit.) Others staying on for week 3
will enjoy strolling this Vancouver Island town and it’s many attractions. You
can also take the 15-minute ferry ride over Quadra
Island for an afternoon/evening at the
Heriot Bay resort’s restaurant and pub,
often with live entertainment (a fun destination for Quadra Island residents).
Week 3
Day 15 Campbell River to Laura Cove
- Depart early morning from Campbell River east and north up Sutil Channel, then
down Lewis Channel to Teakerne Arm and it’s legendary double waterfall and hike
to the lake above. Then south to protected Laura Cove for oysters, clams and a
good night’s rest in this tranquil little bay.
Day 16 Laura Cove to Lund - Heading
east while enjoying the famous glacier-topped mountains of
Desolation Sound, then south around Sarah Point into Thulin Passage along
the Copeland Islands to a tiny fishing village at the doorstep of Desolation Sound.
Lund provides docks, a small market, a fun
pub/restaurant and a fantastic bakery and espresso shop. Enjoy a beautiful
sunset overlooking the Strait of Georgia.
Day 17 Lund to Ballet
Bay - South past Grant Reefs
and Harwood Island into the Malaspina Strait to a small,
quiet anchorage at the entrance to Jervis Inlet. More spectacular sunsets to
look forward to!
Day 18 Ballet Bay to Princess
Louisa Inlet - First,
you’ll wind your way along Jervis Inlet. Deep-water fjords, mountain vistas and
almost limitless waterfalls! Then through Malibu Rapids (at stack tide) and into
the beauty of this breathtaking fabled inlet and roaring Chatterbox falls (just
3.5 miles from the rapids). It’s been describe as a “flooded Yosemite Valley”
complete with a half-dome mountain! Enjoy the views well into the evening on a
mooring buoy at Macdonald Island or from the park dock near the base of the falls. A short trail leads
from the dock to the falls.
Day 19 Princess
Louisa Inlet to Pender
Harbor - Another day to enjoy the twists and turns of Jervis Inlet (pause to
view the ancient rock paintings). Then down Agamemnon Channel and into the
intricate network of bays and summer-home lined coves of
Pender
Harbor. Choose to dock or anchor in Garden or
Hospital
Bays. Full-service grocery store
and pubs/restaurants (a great one, often with live entertainment, at
Garden Bay).
Day 20 Pender Harbor to Sucia Island - A great full
day of sailing south through Welcome Passage. Then into the open water of the
Strait of Georgia. Depending on wind direction, sail southeast or one big tack
across to Nanaimo, then into the U.S. After clearing customs at Point Roberts,
you’ll continue south to the “gem of the San Juan Islands”. Sucia offers
unspoiled natural beauty, mooring buoys, docking and many secure anchorages.
Day 21 Sucia Island to Bellingham -
Enjoy an 18 nautical mile sail back to Bellingham on this final day of the
flotilla. Stop in to our office to say "hi" to our staff before starting your
journey home.
