Input needed for Gulf Islands north to Comox

[localboy]

I'm planning for our Comox get-together trip. So much to see/visit, so little time. So, I'm looking for input from the more experienced C-Brats on places to see, good anchorages, places to avoid, stuff to do etc from the Gulf Islands north to Comox. The good, the bad, the ugly; we're open to hearing it all. I have a cruising guide book w/ all the possibilities, so I can look up specific locations and go from there. We've got a solid week and we're passing on the San Juans on this trip.

First day will be Squalicom to Bedwell to check-in w/ Canadian customs. Thanks, Roger & Janet for the info. We'd probably like to visit Nanaimo. From there we're open to suggestions. We have no problem on "the hook" or a harbor, but will need to re-provision w/ water, ice, fuel etc at some point. Bringing the dinghy/engine and some rubber boots. This will be our first real, long trip out of Puget Sound.

Let me hear it and MAHALO!

[mngrant]

Au Kai,

Two of the best, in my opinion, cruising guides published are: Best Anchorages of the Inside Passage by Anne Vipond/William Kelly and A Dreamspeaker Cruising Guides by Anne & Laurence Yeadon-Jones. Both are very comprehensive with good photos and notes to navigation. Dreamspeaker Cruising Guides not only gives you an overview of an anchorage but what might be of interest nearby.

Carole and I will also be attending the Comox gathering and then onto Desolation Sound. But one of our favorite spots after customs check-in is to head from there to Montague Harbor. It offers a great park to hike, store, and a good food with a fun/free bus ride to and from ( but right now the name escapes me, help me out people). And if that is to much try Wallace Island with Princess Cove, good all weather hole.

The above guides covers all of this.......

the best,

Mike

[bridma]

If the weather is favourable you could make your last overnight stop before Comox at Tribune Bay, the South end of Hornby Island. It is open to the SE so keep an eye on the wind. Beautiful beach, great swimming, and some nice walks. From there it is an easy jaunt around the South end of Denman Island and up Baynes Sound to Comox.

Martin.

[ghone]

Nanaimo for sure dinner and beer at the Dinghy Dock pub, give us a pm when here. I like Montague for the great park and walking and colorful bus to the Hummingbird pub. Pole dancing driver. Ganges for the market. Princess Cove on Wallace for quiet and bulletproof anchorage Pirates Cove. Stand on to miss the reef. Fun transit of False Narrows on mid tide or better to run the range markers in a slower current than Dodd narrows. In Nanaimo anchor or mooring ball at Newcastle park for mining history and wildlife and great walks From Nanaimo dawn or evening departure to cross Georgia strait while it's asleep to Smuggler cove and Secret cove for lunch then Pender Harbour. Loads of history lots of great parks. After Pender cross the strait back to the island into Comox. Won't take more than 2 months to see it all. Have fun! George

[Rock-C]

There are so many places in the Gulf Is. that we really enjoy. The short list includes, Conover Cove on Wallace Is., Montigue Hbr. and the hippy bus ride to the Hummingbird Pub, Pirates Cove, Ganges on Saltspring, (they have a great Saturday market), Winter Cove, Cabbage Is. & Tumbo Is., Port Browning (some will disagree on that one).
There is no way you can stop and explore all these places and still make it to Comox, unless you headed out the first of July.
Have fun

[starcrafttom]

Winter cove thru boat passage is just wonderful. Drop the hook and take the dinghy for a wild life tour. Deer, otter, eagles, cranes, kingfisher, and I forget what else I saw in the first hour. Some good crab too.

I forget the name of the town but they have 50 plus wall murals in town, very cool.

Love farmers market on ganges. you can also rent scooters there cheap and see the whole island in a few hours, very fun. Stay at the end of the harbor marina. Small, friendly and great showers. Store, food, and scooter rentals. lots of fun.

Telegraph harbor marina on Thetis island, they have pie!!!!!!!! and nice docks.

False narrows is so much different they the rest of the area. Its just a different feel. Shallow and lots of eel grass beds off to the sides. Narrow and quiet.

Dream speaker guide books are the best. I have the whole set.

Bring a map and come to dinner and lets talk about it.

[Rock-C]

[starcrafttom]

thats the place, thanks for the help with the name.

Localboy, we will be running up there that same week so keep in touch. We will be leaving after the la conner gathering.

[Casey]

Local Boy, good topic. I'm in the trip planning stage right now myself. Lots of map reconning and travel guide reading (good thing because I had a 'cold blossom a few days after the flight from Seattle).

After the Friday Harbor Gathering I returned to The Villages for a couple weeks, but will return to Seattle on June 7 (the boat is currently stored in Anacortes) . I will launch in Anacortes but hang around for a couple weeks until Mary fly's to SEA on the 22nd. We'll cruise the San Juan's thru 7/5 then I'll blast up to Comox (and Mary returns to FL for work, but will return to Comox on 7/11-8/6). So we're looking at Gulf Islands touring recc's as well as a little farther North. I hope do some more leisurely, southerly touring in the Gulf Islands later in August as I make my way back to Anacortes.

Looks like a good summer with lot's of 'Brats afloat!

Best,
Casey

[localboy]

Mahalo for all the spots, recommendations etc! They have all been duly hi-lighted in our book.

After reading some, I'm going to invest in another anchor setup. It seems many of the smaller coves recommend either a stern anchor or shore tie to negate swinging.