There are Thousands of reasons why cruising on our coasT is a magical Thing, buT here are 50 of our

favouriTes To commemoraTe Py’s 50Th anniversaryBy PY Staff, with notes from Cherie Thiessen, Mark and Kathy Moore,

Peter Vassilopoulos and Dave Wilson

Pacific Yachting’S

50 favourite

adventureS

esque and protected anchor-age is a perfect overnight stopover, or even a destination on its own. Legend has it this bay was used by smugglers during prohibition, and it’s easy to imagine rumrunners finding spots to hide from the authorities. Today, these same nooks and crannies offer boat-ers privacy while stern tying in what’s otherwise a popular anchorage.

Sundowners in Bennett Bay Anchoring in the bay, fronting the beach

and with the Mayne Island Resort’s attractions nearby, we never tire of sitting on the resort deck sipping a favourite brew while admiring the boats anchored in the bay. The sur-rounding scenery isn’t too bad either.

U’Mista Cultural Centre in Alert Bay In the first half of the

20th century, the Canadian Government did many things to squelch the cultural tradi-tions of the coastal First Na-tions. All sorts of artifacts were stolen and placed in museums throughout North America and Europe. Since the 1970s First Nations groups have been rescuing these lost objects and today many of them sit on dis-play in Alert Bay. If that’s not enough to draw your atten-tion, maybe the world’s tallest totem pole will?

Smuggler Cove Smug-gler Cove Marine Provincial Park is a gem

of the Sunshine Coast. Located just over half way from Gibsons to Pender Harbour, this pictur-

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Roche Harbor’s McMil-lan Family Mausoleum One can spend hours at

both these attractions: the mau-soleum is an awe-inspiring place in the forest, located near to the old graveyard, and the whimsi-cal and wonderful sculptures lighten the mood in the nearby field and around the lake. This is a must-see for anyone visiting Roche Harbor.

Russell Island’s Home-stead This provincial park at the mouth of

Fulford Harbour is packed with history and has a beautiful beach to boot. Anchor behind Russell Island, hike the perim-eter of the island, making time to visit the old homestead (now a museum) where the Hawaiians first settled and planted fruit orchards.

Newcastle Island’s Floating Pub Once you’re tied up at the

dock or swinging on the hook at Newcastle Island, it’s fun being able to dinghy over to the Dinghy Dock Pub on Protection Island or take the ferry over to downtown Nanaimo with all its attrac-tions.

Chemainus Theatre It’s not often you can tie up at the docks

and then walk a few blocks to a first-class theatre and see a professional produc-tion. The Chemainus Theatre shows plays all year round. Check chemainustheatrefes-tival.ca for more information. After the show, stroll through the charming town admiring the world-famous murals.

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Historic Garrison Bay We never tire of learning more about the Pig War,

the almost-war between Britain and America. Looking across at the Block House and the formal gardens of the Royal Marine Camp always makes us feel like we’re anchored in history. The best part: Garrison Bay makes a great gunkhole.

Walking Jones Island It’s great that this sleepy little island is all park

and that we can stretch our legs by walking all around or across the island. There are so many trails that you’ll never get sick of exploring this state park.

Montague Harbour Ev-eryone loves Montague for many reasons, one

of our top being able to choose between fish tacos and happy hour margaritas al fresco at The Crane & Robin overlooking the harbour, or enjoy locally sourced and painstakingly pre-pared foods at the incompa-rable and increasingly famous Pilgrimme. (You read it first in Pacific Yachting!)

Tribune Bay Beach This iconic spot is one of the best beaches in Canada.

Located in Tribune Bay Provin-cial Park on Hornby Island, this sprawling crescent-shaped white sand beach is known for its warm waters and has often been called BC’s Little Hawaii. The bay has around 15 metres of depth and a sandy bottom, so it pro-vides good holding in anything but strong southeast winds. It can get busy in the summer, but it’s well worth a stopover for a swim.

Cowichan Bay Sunsets Cowichan Bay is one of the most charming little

fishing villages on the coast. There’s everything a boater could want, from secure tie-ups to a plethora of dining options. Whether browsing in the shops or sitting down for a meal, you’ll drop everything for the incred-ible sunsets.

Sidney Spit Picnics This is the perfect victoria day trip when you have

guests: picnic tables, docks, toi-lets, water for washing (but not drinking) and amazing beaches. Whenever we tie up here we can’t help thinking how lucky we are to have a boating destination like this. 

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Swinging on Saturna Beach Saturna Beach in Thomson Park is

located on the south side of Saturna Island on Plumper Sound. Playing in the water with a perfect rope to swing from really brings out that inner child. Thomson Park is a perfect hangout too. Check with tides when you anchor though; the water’s warm here because it’s shallow.  

Hiking Around Port-land Island Located between Sidney and

Salt Spring and Pender islands, Portland Island is the perfect long weekend destination. Anchor in either Royal Cove or Princess Bay. Both provide access to a 6.5-kilometre trail that follows the shoreline around the island and provides a pleasurable three-hour hike. Pack a picnic and turn it into a day trip.

Racing to Alaska in the R2AK This might not be for everyone,

but for a no-holds-barred, old school challenge this annual race is must-try! Racers depart from Port Townsend in a non-stop race north to Ketchikan, Alaska. There are almost no rules aside from having to get there under your own power (or sail). No motors, no sup-port. This year’s participants include kayaks, rowboats and plenty of sailboats.

Participate in Swiftsure Most sailors in BC have tried this classic race at

least once, but if you haven’t

you should give it a shot, whether on your own boat, or better yet, on someone else’s. This classic test of yachtsman-ship, which was run for the 75th time this year, sees sailors race from off of Clover Point in victoria to a lightship stationed at the mouth of the Juan de Fuca Strait. There are shorter options too. What are you waiting for? The next race is May 2019.

Victoria’s Inner Harbour In the sum-mer, musicians, artisans

and performers of all types line the boardwalk in victoria’s Inner Harbour. It’s hard not to be inspired by such raw, local talent. You’re steps from nu-merous world-class restaurants and entertainment venues. Or moor here at Christmas and take in the twinkling lights of the Empress Hotel and provin-cial legislature buildings.

Orcas in Johnstone Strait As you traverse the 60-mile long John-

stone Strait, keep your eye out for the 150 orca whales that have taken up permanent resi-dence here. When you do spot them, remember to keep your distance. You have a zoom on your camera right?

Cinnamon Buns in Lund Whether it’s your last stopping point

before a trip north, or it’s your first glimpse of civilization after a northern expedition, friendly service, great food and spectacular views make Nan-cy’s Bakery worth the pit stop. Oh and the cinnamon buns are to die for. We recommend the blackberry cinnamon bun!

Butchart Gardens It’s hard to beat mooring in Brentwood Bay, spend-

ing the day exploring Butchart

Gardens and then enjoying a fine meal at the Brentwood Bay Resort. Come on any weekend through July and August and enjoy the fireworks display every Saturday night. You’ll have a front row seat from your boat.

Ganges Summer Market Every Saturday from early April, until

the end of October, Centennial Park on the Ganges waterfront becomes a hustling, bustling centre of community and cre-ativity. What makes this market so special is the “Homespun Guarantee,” which states that all vendors must “make it, bake it or grow it” themselves.

Treasure Chest at Pirates Cove A large, wooden treasure chest

sits on the shore at Pirates Cove. Fitting, of course. It is a give-and-take chest, meaning that if you take some piece of treasure from it, you should leave behind something in kind. Who knows what you might find in there!

Genoa Bay Café Ge-noa Bay Marina has to be one of the most

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charming marinas on vancou-ver Island. Overlooking the water, the Genoa Bay Café serves the best fish and chips on vancouver Island. Truth.

Gwaii Haanas, Haida Gwaii A bucket-list destination, the archi-

pelago that makes up Gwaii Haanas is full of magic and beauty. Be sure to make a reservation before going as the number of visitors allowed in the park per day is limited.

Rosario Resort on Orcas Island Treat yourself with a stay at

Rosario Resort. Mooring at the well-protected marina grants you access to the resort’s interior and exterior pools, whirlpool, sauna, fitness centre and fee-based spa services.

Pierre’s at Echo Bay Rick Hudson wrote in PY, “To many, Echo

Bay on Gilford Island looks like

no more than a small outpost clinging to the steeply treed shoreline, the houses sprinkled below tall red cedars. Looks can be deceiving. Stay a while and you come to realize that Echo Bay is the centre of a dynamic group of people who have chosen to live off the grid, yet each, in their own way, is making waves beyond their local region.”

Swimming in Unwin Lake This swimming hole is popular for a

reason, it’s a short 10-minute walk from Tenedos Bay and the water is the perfect temp for a swim. Pro tip: Go in Septem-ber when the kids are back in school but the weather is still beautiful and the water is still warm. You’ll have more room to anchor in Tenedos and more space at the lake.

Camping in the Copeland Islands Ten camping pads provide

the base for a perfect weekend of camping in one of the most idyllic little island chains on the coast. You can find anchorage in various nooks throughout the islands, but your best bet is probably Middle Copeland Island. Anchor in the cove east of Nuxwum Island and behind the island with the parks sign (visible from Thulin Passage). Anne and Laurence Yeadon Jones call this Midway Cove.

Check out a Coastal Bookstore Tanners in Sidney, Galiano Island

Books at the Sturdies Bay ferry, Talisman Books on Pender

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Island—wherever you are cruising you can usually find a book store where you can refill your cruising library. There’s something about reading a good book while at anchor that refreshes the soul.

Gibsons for Oysters Pick up some fresh oysters from Smitty’s

and then head up the road to Persephone Brewing for a glass of Goddess Golden Ale. It’s a bit of a walk to the brewery, but it’s definitely worth it with farm-to-table food, delicious beer and games to play while you finish your pint.

Cruise to a Glacier BC’s north coast and the Alaska panhandle

are home to some of the most impressive glaciers in the world, many of which you can sail right up to. Alaska’s Lamplugh Glacier provides the jaw-dropping glacier experi-ence that will leave you fully satisfied. It’s 13 kilometres long, rises 55 metres above the

waterline, and plunges from three to 12 metres below. Look for calving ice as you cruise by.

Coffee Beans on Thetis Island A short walk up from Telegraph Harbour

Marina on Thetis Island, you’ll find Pot of Gold Coffee. Refill your boat pantry with a bag of freshly roasted beans. There are over 20 coffees to choose from (not available in stores) so there’s something for every taste. If Telegraph Harbour Ma-rina is full you can usually find moorage at Thetis Island Marina, although the walk to the coffee roaster is a little bit longer.

Blind Channel Resort Take a break from the galley with a fine dining

experience at Blind Channel Resort’s Cedar Post Restaurant and Gallery. For fresh ingredi-ents, quality food and a lovely atmosphere this is hard to beat. The Cedar Post is open to the public from June until Labour Day and for private functions in the off season.

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Golf on Pender Island Whether you’re a scratch player or a…

not so scratch player, the golf course on Pender Island is a pleasant nine holes surrounded by forest and farm land. Have a drink on the patio overlooking the course after you finish your round. Not into golf? That’s OK. You can play a round of disc golf instead at the world class Golf Island Disc Park.

Camp on Wallace Island With 18 walk-in campsites at the

designated camping areas of Conover Cove, Chivers Point and Cabin Bay there is usually a place to set up a tent on Wallace Island. If the spots are all taken, which can hap-pen on a busy weekend, then staying onboard the boat isn’t such a bad thing, especially if you’ve found room to anchor in Conover Cove. Stern ties are necessary here as it is a com-pact anchorage.

Howe Sound Brewing After a trip up Howe Sound in a breezy

outflow, you deserve a beer. Luckily, Howe Sound Brewing is only a two-minute walk from the Squamish Harbour Author-ity and Squamish Yacht Club. This award-winning brewery has been around for 20 years serving an extensive lineup of year-round and seasonal beers. In addition to the tasty brews, this popular brewpub offers free brewery tours and has a full restaurant and inn.

Swim in the Strait of Georgia Nothing beats the heat like a dip in

the ocean, and what could be more memorable that swim-ming with 500 metres of water below you. use caution, pick a windless day with calm water, leave someone capable of driv-ing the boat on board, throw out your life ring and line (or wear a lifejacket) and go for a swim!

Granville Island Gran-ville Island is a must-vis-it for any visitor to van-

couver, by boat or otherwise. Located in False Creek, just south of downtown vancouver, this historic peninsula features a fantastic public market, lo-cal artisan craft vendors and several restaurants and pubs. The island offers short-term moorage for shoppers and False Creek has free anchoring overnight. Permits are available and Heather Civic Marina.

North Pender Island’s Roesland Museum There’s lots to do

on Pender (swimming in the pool, going for a walk) but we especially love rowing over to Roesland from Otter Bay Marina, tying up at the dinghy dock, and spending time in the old Roe homestead, now a cool museum.

Winter Harbour Any-one circumnavigat-ing vancouver Island

will be familiar with Winter Harbour—sometimes more familiar than they may have originally planned. Located at the northwestern tip of the island between the infamous Cape Scott and Brooks Penin-sula, this small town and pro-tected harbour has provided many mariners with safety and provisions. The Outpost offers fuel, moorage and a general store, and is one of the few places to stock up on the west coast of the island.

Chatterbox Falls This stunning waterfall has graced the pages of

Pacific Yachting numerous times, and for good reason. The falls tumble 120 feet into Princess Louisa Inlet. Set up camp on one of the tent sites here or tie up to a mooring buoy elsewhere in the marine park. Chatterbox Falls is one of more than 60 waterfalls in Princess Louisa Marine Pro-vincial Park. This is a sight you have to see to believe.

Visit Ketchikan, Alaska This popular destina-tion is a great stepping

off point for other adventures in Alaska, or spend your entire trip here enjoying the shops and restaurants and the charming, rugged atmosphere. The boardwalk is amazing and the locals are as friendly as you’ll find anywhere. The first step, of course, is getting here, but Alaska is worth the trip!

Shoal Bay The govern-ment dock at Shoal Bay on East Thurlow

Island is in one of BC’s most beautiful locations. Space here is on a first come, first served basis, but you can usually find space on the 500-foot dock. Once here you can explore the grounds of the Shoal Bay Lodge and take in the stunning vistas of the coastal mountains.

Hiking Mount Maxwell on Salt Spring Island For stunning Southern

Gulf Island views, it’s hard to beat Baynes Peak, located in Mount Maxwell Provincial Park. There are approximately six kilometres of trails that start from the parking lot, offering various levels of difficulty. The

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original park was established in 1938 for its vantage, but now encompasses almost 1,000 hectares, “from moun-taintop to shoreline.”

Tent Island Located off the coast of Chemainus, just south of Penelakut

Island, Tent Island is a campers paradise. We don’t know why, but the water just feels warmer here and judging from the oth-ers swimming off the beach, many feel the same way.

Cole Island, Esquimalt Harbour Located just past Canadian Forces

Base Esquimalt, Cole Island was once an ammunition depot for the Royal Navy, as early as 1859. The island once held 16 brick structures, but today only five remain for exploration. Cole Island was officially recognized as a na-tional historic site in 2006.

Bears in Glendale Cove Once the site of a First Nations village

as well as a cannery, Glendale Cove is now a popular spot for bear watching. It is home to one of the largest concen-trations of grizzly bears in the world. Knight Inlet Lodge claims that it is not uncom-mon for there to be 50 bears within 10 kilometres of the lodge.

Miners Bay on Mayne Island We tie up at the government dock

and can then wander the shops here: have a coffee at the bakery café, a drink on Springwater Hotel’s deck, browse in unique nearby shops like Nomads Essentials, check out the Agricultural Centre and lockup, now a museum, or walk along the waterfront.

Steveston’s Historic Cannery Once a haven for rumrunners, fisher-

men and cannery workers, Steveston is now a quintessen-tial cruising destination with plenty of restaurants, shops and attractions. The Gulf of Georgia Cannery is one of the main attractions in Steveston and preserves much of the history of the fish canning industry on our coast.

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