Cruising the BC Gulf Islands.

Hayden Watson

Hayden Watson

.
Apr 5, 2009
3,288
Catalina '88 C30 tr/bs Oak Harbor, WA
We will be taking a 2-week cruise from Oak Harbor up to the Gulf Island beginning around June 18 with our 11-year-old granddaughter. We originally wanted to go to Princess Louisa Inlet but that is a bit far for only two weeks. Any suggestions on places to stop and things to see? We have only been up there once and that was 26-years ago.
We plan to sail into Bushart Gardens. I also remember an enjoyable stop at Chemainus, BC to look at the murals, which I assume are still there. Other than that, I do not know much about the places to see and things to do. Any suggestions?

Also, what is the best practices for getting into BC and back out? My wife and I both have our Enhanced WA driver's license and our granddaughter has her US Passport. We will also have a notarized permission letter from both parents and a POA for her to enter Canada.
 
jssailem

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
24,454
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
Ideas:
Saturna Island.
  • The Saturna Island Canada Day (1 July) Lamb BBQ is a free public community festival with music, entertainment, fun games, a beer and wine garden, food vendors, and a specially prepared lamb BBQ meal.
  • At the southeast corner of the island is a lighthouse and a whale watching opportunity.
Van Isle Marina on Vancouver Island
  • Easy Check-in since you will be heading that way for Bushart Gardens.
  • Free Bikes for overnight guests. Easy ride to Sidney
  • Waterfront Park - in Sidney
  • Great Ice Cream Store - in Sidney
  • Delicious food
Otter Bay Marina
Port Browning Resort
Just to name a few fun places.

The San Juans also provide a variety of fun sites. Roche Harbor Resort, Deer Harbor Inn, Friday Harbor, to name a couple.

Are you thinking anchorages or marina hopping?
 
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Hayden Watson

Hayden Watson

.
Apr 5, 2009
3,288
Catalina '88 C30 tr/bs Oak Harbor, WA
jssailem said:
Ideas:
Saturna Island.
  • The Saturna Island Canada Day (1 July) Lamb BBQ is a free public community festival with music, entertainment, fun games, a beer and wine garden, food vendors, and a specially prepared lamb BBQ meal.
  • At the southeast corner of the island is a lighthouse and a whale watching opportunity.
Van Isle Marina on Vancouver Island
  • Easy Check-in since you will be heading that way for Bushart Gardens.
  • Free Bikes for overnight guests. Easy ride to Sidney
  • Waterfront Park - in Sidney
  • Great Ice Cream Store - in Sidney
  • Delicious food
Otter Bay Marina
Port Browning Resort
Just to name a few fun places.

The San Juans also provide a variety of fun sites. Roche Harbor Resort, Deer Harbor Inn, Friday Harbor, to name a couple.

Are you thinking anchorages or marina hopping?
Click to expand
Thanks John. It will be the first outing with my new windlass so we will be hooking it as much as possible.
 
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MikeHoncho

MikeHoncho

.
Dec 28, 2015
1,944
Laser, Hunter H30 Cherubini Tacoma
Sunday Farmers Market at Ganges, Salt Spring Island is a winner, and taking a walk around the small town is a must. Its a little busy to get in and out. We have anchored in the anchorage to the west of the channel for day trips and anchored east of Chain Island for an overnight. Montigue Harbor is a favorite. Dinghy into the marina and catch the school bus to the pub. It's kid-friendly and a lot of fun. Pirates Cove is a great day trip. We really enjoyed Stuart Channel going south in the morning. Portland Island is a great place to take a long hike/walk. They have trailers around the whole island and an elevated boardwalk that goes down the middle from side to side. Don't stay in the cove to the west of Royal Cove. It's inviting but really rollie due to freeway traffic 24/7. There is a ton of coves on Provost Island. We have stayed on Ellen Bay several times tucked up in the north end and in Shelby Cove. It was blowing really hard when we used Shelby. Great holding but limited width. We stayed in Irish Bay, very quiet. Don't plan on finding a spot on Wallace Island or one of the others on the chain. its really narrow and shallow in places. If you find a spot expect to stern tie. We stayed in Clam bay with great holding.

We didn't go to Canada last season but the season before, I called in outside of Bedwell Harbor hoping to do it over the phone like we did during Covid. They made us come in. The harbor is nice, docks are big. It took longer to dock tie up and untie than it did check in. Bushart Gardens is quiet a bit out of the way for the Gulf Islands.
 
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MikeHoncho

MikeHoncho

.
Dec 28, 2015
1,944
Laser, Hunter H30 Cherubini Tacoma
Expect almost zero opportunity to pump out. Switching to a desiccant toilet was totally worth it in my case.
 
Terry Cox

Terry Cox

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Dec 25, 2000
6,043
Hunter Passage 42 Shelter Bay, WA
JOHHHHNNNN. You forgot to mention one of our most favorite anchorages Annette Inlet!!!
 
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jssailem

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
24,454
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
I thought I would ease him into my favorite anchorage. I so enjoyed my stay that I left a little piece of my Hadley there to remember it. :facepalm::banghead::yikes:
 
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Terry Cox

Terry Cox

.
Dec 25, 2000
6,043
Hunter Passage 42 Shelter Bay, WA
Hayden Watson said:
We plan to sail into Bushart Gardens.
Click to expand
Hi Hayden, given your limited time, I would head for Vancouver Island, clear at Sydney, then around Sannich Peninsula and down to Butchart Cove where they have several mooring balls with a rear entrance into the Gardens. If no available moorings, head into Todd Inlet for a nice anchorage.
 
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B

BCsailor-skier

.
Aug 6, 2025
31
Sceptre 41 Vancouver
So many places, so little time!
  • Montague Harbour (anchor or mooring buoy)
  • Sidney Spit (mooring buoy or anchor; watch the tide level and chart! But sandy bottom....)
  • Winter Cove (anchor; watch your chart and tide level; July 1 will be VERY crowded)
  • Wallace Island Princess Cove: if spot available, you'll almost certainly have to stern tie (we like Wallace but only go off season when possible to free swing)
  • Pirates Cove: NOT if there is a strong N or NW wind! Lots of dragging and can be crowded. Watch tide and chart at entrance!
 
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mermike

mermike

.
Nov 21, 2012
807
Momentarily Boatless Port Ludlow, WA
Buchart Gardens are great. The high tea is fun if you're a pinky out kind of guy. Which I can be, when the admiral commands it. The free mooring balls are a fine bonus. We visited for the first time last year and had a wonderful time.
 
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Stu Jackson

Stu Jackson

.
Feb 26, 2004
23,308
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
Terry Cox said:
I would head for Vancouver Island, clear at Sydney,
Click to expand
Hayden, usually Terry's right on, but do NOT clear at Sidney. Why? The dock for doing so it right at the entrance, a tricky spot to tie up even at the best of times. Just go a little further north to Van Isle Marina, much easier to tie up at the fuel dock, safer, too. And just as easy to get oot & aboot from there.
 
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Terry Cox

Terry Cox

.
Dec 25, 2000
6,043
Hunter Passage 42 Shelter Bay, WA
BCsailor-skier said:
The "natives" don't do "oot and aboot"....
Click to expand
Me thinks Stu has picked up the BC lingo pretty well. I've listened to a number of BCrs talk over the years and to my ear, he's pretty close. Maybe more accurate to say, ouoot and abouoot. :laugh:
 
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jssailem

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
24,454
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
Yes, it sounds like he has gone native...

But with a Brooklyn accent.
You can take the man out of New York, but the NY sound lingers.:biggrin:
 
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