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CANADA - British Columbia

Canadian destinations in British Columbia include the Southern Gulf Islands, Sunshine Coast, Desolation Sound, which includes Jervis Inlet and the famous Princess Louisa Inlet.  The area in B.C. also includes the beautiful waters around the Northern Gulf Islands and the Redonda Islands, as well as the incredible fjords along Bute and Toba inlets.  Of course, a trip to Canada wouldn't be complete without stopping at Victoria on Vancouver Island where you can stop and have tea at the Empress Hotel in the English fashion.

USA - San Juan Islands

The world-famous San Juan Islands are the dream destination for thousands of boaters each year.  The scenery is stunning, the fishing is good, anchorages are plentiful and the amenities - marine resorts, settlements, villages and towns - are many and varied.  The islands contain the largest flocks of bald eagles in the US south of Alaska.  Sailing in the company of porpoises and whales is almost commonplace.  Cruise among the peaks of a majestic sunken mountain range, each island peak different from the other.  You truly have left the city behind, and you've found a corner of paridise!  San Juan Islands Map in Washington State, USA

The islands commonly called the Southern Gulf Islands are a continuation of the San Juan Island chain, but north of the international border. It includes the southern tip and the east side of Vancouver Island, as far up-island as Nanaimo.  The islands are less developed than their American counterparts, but every bit as scenic. The geology is, for the most part, made of sandstone that has been uplifted until it sticks out of the sea.  Being in the lee of mountains, theyse islands receive much summertime sun and little summertime rainfall.

For shopping, the largest town in the Gulf Islands proper is Ganges.  Many people include the towns of Victoria, Sidney, Ladysmith and Nanaimo when describing the Gulf Islands.  Included in this area you will find Saanich Inlet, Active Pass, Montague Harbour, Staturna Island, Haro Strait, Pender and Thetis Island and Bedwell Harbour.  There is less marine traffic as well, so the cruiser has the opportunity to enjoy a little more solitude while still enjoying the benefits of being close to the several small towns in the Islands.   Map of Southern Gulf Islands

The Northern Gulf Islands are a little more remote and quiet than their southern partners, and offer boaters peaceful marine parks, beautiful beaches, warm water and a wide variety of wildlife viewing.  Places of interest include Chemainus, Wallace Island, Pirates Cover, Gabriola Passage, Silva Bay, Dodd Narrows and Nanaimo. 

Chemainus is filled with boutiques, galleries, antique shops and some restaurants.  Thirty-two of the town's buildings have large, well-done murals painted on their sides, mostly depicting Chemainus's past as an Indian campground, and its more recent history as a mining, logging and mill town.  Horse-drawn tours are availabl, or tours pulled by replicas of steam logging train locomotives. Map of Northern Gulf Islands

Desolation Sound is considered by knowledgeable yachtsmen to be one of the top three cruising areas in the world (the other two being Fiji and New Zealand's Bay of Islands). Famous for calm, sheltered waters, oysters, clams, prawns, and for salmon up to 60 lbs. Actually salmon and cod are plentiful throughout our entire cruising area.

Here you will find places like Cortes Bay, Squirrel Cove, Von Donop Inlet, Gorge Harbour, Drew Harbour, Sturge Narrows, Octopus Islands, Hole in the Wall, Discovery Passage, Malaspina Inlet, Prideaux Haven, Roscoe Bay, Refuge Cove and Teakerne Arm. Map of Desolation Sound

The group of lesser-known islands known as the Discovery Islands are found between Campbell River and the British Columbia mainland -- a cruising area adjacent to Desolation Sound with some of the most spectacular scenery in the world.

Discovery Passage is approximately 20 miles long, and separates Quadra Island and Sonora Island from Vancouver Island.  Cape Mudge is at the couth entrance to the passage, and at the north end, Discovery Passage connects with Johnstone Strait.  Primary stops are Campbell River, Quathiaski Cove, April Point, Gowlland Harbour, Seymour Narrows, Brown Bay and Kanish Bay.  Map of Discovery Passage