Cove with waterfall on Vancouver/San Juan islands?

B

bmacpiper

New member
Hey everyone,

I had someone once tell me about a really cool little cove, and I'm drawing a total blank on location and name. They even showed me a photo.

I want to say it was the east side of Vancouver Island. They were on a sailboat charter, and they got there early, and there were existing rings pinned into rock that they used for bow and sternlines. Looking into the cove, the boat was moored broadside to the camera, and behind it was about a 30-40 foot high cliff with a waterfall. Supposedly the water in there saw relatively small tidal exchange, so it was also very warm compared to the surrounding water, and they were able to swim comfortably, etc.

Any ideas or leads? We'll be up that way in June, and I would love to find this spot.

Thanks for any tips. Also totally open to other "favorite" spots for lunch/overnight/etc.--this will be our first cruise up that direction, and the first at all in the new 22.

All the best,
Ben
 
Ben,

Hopefully others with far more experience cruising in the area will chime in and give you the benefit of their experience but the only waterfalls I know of in the area are as follows:

1) Indian Arm east/northeast of Vancouver, B.C. has a few falls the largest of which is supposedly Granite Falls.

2) Princess Louisa Inlet at the end of Jervis Inlet northeast of Powell River in B.C.

As I mentioned there very well could be other waterfalls and I do not know if either of the above two listed falls have rings for mooring.

Perhaps acquiring some guides to the area such as a copy of the Waggoner Cruising Guide (which is newly distributed and updated every year) would be a worthwhile investment.

Take care,
Dan
 
Teakerme looks exactly like what I remember seeing. Do you know if the water temp is warmer?

I'm also intrigued by the hot springs at Tofino--wonder if we can anchor/dinghy over to the pools.

Thanks you guys!

bmc
 
The water temperature does get warmer up in that part of the world in summer. It actually was warm enough for Willie to get into the water, however briefly. This was at Laura Cove. I only noticed one stern tie ring at Teakerne Arm. There could have been others and I just did not see them. Several of the TugNuts anchored there last summer and I am sure some will again this August. Jake likes water any temperature.
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There are more rings on the cliff wall to the left (west) of the falls. I have not submerged my bulk, but even in summer I doubt I would spend a lot of time in the water. I have seen teenagers jumping from the cliff into the briny deep. I have heard that the lake above the falls in good swimming.
You need to get there early as the room fills up quickly and timing is everything in Desolation. I have seen up to three boats on the east side and a couple more on west. If I remember right the dinghy landing is west of the cliff face.
If you go in Predeaux the water can get up to 70 degrees in August (but only the top few feet). Most of Desolation does not drain as it sits midway of Vancouver Island. Even with the big tide swings the same water goes out and comes back.
Roscoe is a nice harbor and there is a great swimming lake a short way up the trail. Also a lot of people play in the tides at Squirrel Cove.
One of my favorities is Grace Harbor. Very well protected and some great short hikes. It is usually my first stop when entering Desolation from the South.
 
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