2011 Inside Passage Cruise

I just checked logs from our trips, and I don't see any fuel stops that haven't been listed already. Others have mentioned this too, but I'll repeat myself again as well: It's important to try to check fuel availability and hours of operation at planned fueling stops in more remote areas. And do not rely solely on guide books - especially if the publication date is a few years old. On our first trip we were surprised to find the fuel dock out of business at Alert Bay, a planned stop. Fortunately, Port McNeil is close by and it was our backup. I tend to be very conservative about letting the tanks get low.

And again, be prepared to be patient. Dawson's Landing, Klemtu, Thorne Bay, and Point Baker come to mind, for instance, as places where we have had to work some to scare up someone to pump fuel, even in the middle of the day.

Loyds, here are a couple of observations that may help to allay some of your anxiety about fuel: First, we've never gotten "bad" fuel at any of these places - not to say it can't happen, but it hasn't to us. Second, in reviewing my fuel logs, I see that the most fuel we ever burned between fuel stops was 41.4 gallons, which means I've never been below about 15 gallons in reserve on the Inside Passage. But your concern is well placed. Very bad idea to run out of fuel in the middle of nowhere.

Bill
 
Hartley Bay was a completely modern fueling facility in 2006, and so strategically located, it is hard to imagine making this cruise if it were not there.
 
Pat Anderson":2sw355s6 said:
Hartley Bay was a completely modern fueling facility in 2006, and so strategically located, it is hard to imagine making this cruise if it were not there.
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Very true, and it has two very nice dock dogs.
ge_2011_090_Northbound_Hartley_Bay_Dock_Dogs.sized.jpg

Also, it has no ordinary roads or streets. Houses are connected by a grid of board walks. No cars. Just ATVs and bikes.

Bill
 
Larry, thanks for the additional fuel stops. I'll add them to my consolidated list.

I had also forgotten to mention Sullivan Bay in the Broughtons - still offering fuel, right?

Richard Cook
 
I had also forgotten to mention Sullivan Bay in the Broughtons - still offering fuel, right?
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Yes, Sullivan Bay has fuel, I forgot it too.

Port McNeill will have the lowest price for the area, by as much as $0.25/liter.
 
Because this thread is now linked to another one about planning an IP trip, I want to add a comment about Hartley Bay. HB recieves fuel by barge. It's not unusual to have to wait some for delivery. On our more recent trip (2014), Hartley Bay was out of fuel for at least several days (maybe more than a week). As noted above, Kitimat also has fuel, and it is serviced by road so fuel is almost certain to be available. BUT, Kitimat is about 100 miles round trip from Hartley Bay. Soooo - you don't want to arrive at Hartley Bay without enough fuel to get you at least to Kitimat unless you really don't mind a possibly very long unplanned layover in Hartley Bay.
 
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