The Salish Sea & Beyond

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Victoria, the capitol of B.C. is a charming seaside town with an active harbour that is worth visiting for high tea, shopping & a sidewalk cafe vibe that rivals many European seaside towns. A haven for artists, outdoor enthusiasts, & anyone hoping to catch a glimpse of whales, sealions, & seabirds - Gulf Islands cruisers enjoy protected anchorages, local markets, star gazing, boutique resorts, & phosphorescence tours within an afternoon cruise. 

Waterfalls, lush forests, quiet anchorages, world-class shopping & dining combine within the rich coastline north of Vancouver, the Sunshine Coast. Enjoy Howe Sound's sea to sky wonders as soaring foothills & regular wind create ideal sailing & cruising conditions. Stop in charming anchorages on your way to the Venice of B.C., Pender Harbour, a perfect place to fuel & provision before you venture on Princess Louisa & Desolation Sound.

We take our marine parks seriously in B.C., none more so than Desolation Sound & Princess Louisa. Summer heat lovers seeking warm water, tranquil coves & hiking to fresh-water lakes find Desolation Sound Provincial Marine Park a place of annual pilgrimage for many. Pure magic awaits cruisers who journey through rapids & soaring mountains to the breathtaking waterfalls of Princess Louisa Provincial Marine Park. A visit to these & many smaller marine parks in Coastal B.C. won't disappoint.

Cruisers who wish to exercise their coastal navigation & advanced anchoring skills enjoy transiting through Calm Channel on their way to waters north of Vancouver Island. Found at the crossroads of Desolation Sound, the northern Gulf Islands, & the Broughtons - the Discovery Islands provide a rich variety of adventuring choices. Here you find warm swimming among harmless moon jellyfish, cool star filled nights, waterfalls, kayaking & wildlife within this complex, well-charted area.

Seclusion, fast rapids, large tidal ranges & high winds in the legendary Johnstone Strait makes the Broughtons an area recommended for experienced mariners who understand tides, currents & weather. This oasis of wildlife includes bear, wolves, orca, humpback bubble-net fishing & countless seabirds. 

Circumnavigating the island is on the dream-list of many cruisers, where the protection of the Inside Passage gives way to the Pacific Ocean. Here, mariners must remain offshore or find shelter in the labyrinth of inlets that tattoo the western coast. Advanced navigation & an understanding of weather & open ocean conditions is required given the minimal (to non-existent) services available between Port McNeil, Tofino & down the Strait of Juan de Fuca to Victoria.  

A perennial favorite with locals who explore the islands by ferry, cruisers may enjoy a new delightful harbor each day or spend several days relaxing on coastal beaches. The region requires knowledge of tidal waters within the protection of many pleasant anchorages. Quality quiet time can be enjoyed amidst a multitude of services, plentiful provisioning, & opportunities to stroll, shop, dine, whale watch & enjoy the shores. 

Cruisers looking for charming coastal towns, farmers markets & a rich cruising community will find this area a delight. From the famed Pike Place Market in Seattle or the many smaller, but no less incredible, farmers markets & fine dining delights that populate the many harbours along the way, these protected waters offer world-class cruising experience that will have you planning your next visit before you go home.