Over the years our extended two-month plus cruises have tended to take us either west from Eagle Harbor on Cypress Island across Rosario Strait, through Pole Pass, across Haro Strait towards Poets Cove to clear Canada Customs at Bedwell, or depart from Cornet Bay through Deception Pass and up San Juan Channel. This year I took a more direct route north to Semi-ah-moo saving time with a plan to clear customs at White Rock. Bedwell can be busy in season, White Rock not so much.
Canada Customs used to have a hotline phone at the head of the dock where you cleared. Quite a hike, but they removed the phone and now it is clear by cell phone from the government dock.
Catching a flood from Eagle Harbor to Semi-ah-moo with a nice southerly for the 25 mile leg under sail all the way can be especially nice. Semi-ah-moo makes for an easy layover with a reciprocal dock and standard marina amenities, but a short distance north to White Rock.
The dock at White Rock has two sides behind the rock breakwater. The north side holds a small public marina with the government dock south side. This dock has room for two large sized boats; one on the water side and one on the land side. If the tide state is up both sides have enough water for most displacement hulls; albeit thin. And there is no room to turn around. Plan on coming in bow first and then backing out.
This summer when I approached the dock at a minus tide there was a large power boat hard aground on the land side and a sailboat with no skipper in sight on the water side. Customs cleared me after I explained my plight.
Some people apply for a NEXIS pass good for five years or an I-68 pass good for one year. We have neither, but tried the I-68 the first year they introduced it. We found it to be of no value in our cruising plans and have since declined renewing.
An important lesson that I have learned when talking to customs agents is full disclosure. Answer their question directly, period. Offer nothing more. They are quite good at detecting evasive answers, which can result in a stand down order while three agents and a dog arrive for a visit, including a face-to-face interview on the dock with an agent and a dog boarding your vessel in search of contraband. If they ask you how many beers on board, do not say a few, say six. Any liquor, I start with my open bottles...one small bottle of scotch, two small bottles of rum, etc. Make sure your papers are current and in order, too.
You have several choices from White Rock. Head west across Georgia Strait through Active Pass. Many very nice anchorages to choose from or over to one of three Ganges marinas. An alternative is to head north through Porlier Pass to Clam Bay. The next day can take you through Dodd Narrows to Nanaimo and points north. Or you can sail up the sunshine coast to Garden Bay, Secret Cove, Smuggler Cove and points north.
Once in BC waters you have just entered into one of the world's greatest water wonderlands; the Pacific Northwest. Bountiful sea life, incredible vistas, sheer mountain cliffs, serene seascapes, and friendly Canadians.
Canada Customs used to have a hotline phone at the head of the dock where you cleared. Quite a hike, but they removed the phone and now it is clear by cell phone from the government dock.
Catching a flood from Eagle Harbor to Semi-ah-moo with a nice southerly for the 25 mile leg under sail all the way can be especially nice. Semi-ah-moo makes for an easy layover with a reciprocal dock and standard marina amenities, but a short distance north to White Rock.
The dock at White Rock has two sides behind the rock breakwater. The north side holds a small public marina with the government dock south side. This dock has room for two large sized boats; one on the water side and one on the land side. If the tide state is up both sides have enough water for most displacement hulls; albeit thin. And there is no room to turn around. Plan on coming in bow first and then backing out.
This summer when I approached the dock at a minus tide there was a large power boat hard aground on the land side and a sailboat with no skipper in sight on the water side. Customs cleared me after I explained my plight.
Some people apply for a NEXIS pass good for five years or an I-68 pass good for one year. We have neither, but tried the I-68 the first year they introduced it. We found it to be of no value in our cruising plans and have since declined renewing.
An important lesson that I have learned when talking to customs agents is full disclosure. Answer their question directly, period. Offer nothing more. They are quite good at detecting evasive answers, which can result in a stand down order while three agents and a dog arrive for a visit, including a face-to-face interview on the dock with an agent and a dog boarding your vessel in search of contraband. If they ask you how many beers on board, do not say a few, say six. Any liquor, I start with my open bottles...one small bottle of scotch, two small bottles of rum, etc. Make sure your papers are current and in order, too.
You have several choices from White Rock. Head west across Georgia Strait through Active Pass. Many very nice anchorages to choose from or over to one of three Ganges marinas. An alternative is to head north through Porlier Pass to Clam Bay. The next day can take you through Dodd Narrows to Nanaimo and points north. Or you can sail up the sunshine coast to Garden Bay, Secret Cove, Smuggler Cove and points north.
Once in BC waters you have just entered into one of the world's greatest water wonderlands; the Pacific Northwest. Bountiful sea life, incredible vistas, sheer mountain cliffs, serene seascapes, and friendly Canadians.
