Gulf Islands Recommendations

D

Dene

New member
I have the opportunity to make a 4 night voyage in my 6 knot trawler next week. Monday night will be spent at Sydney. What would you recommend for the next two nights in the Gulf Island region for Tuesday and Weds. night. Thursday, we return to Anacortes.

We prefer to dock and hike/explore vs. anchoring out.

Thanks in advance!

-Greg
 
Greg,

Lots of possibilities in the southern gulf islands.

I used to live on North Pender Island, so I know North and South Pender best. Going to Port Browning is worth consideration. You can dock there and lots of stuff to see within reasonable hiking distance.

There are also marinas at Bedwell and Otter Bay, but I know less about their facilities. Easily obtainable online I would guess. Browning is a little more central and perhaps closer to more things within easy walking distance.

They have a website:

www.portbrowning.com

If you want to know more about the Penders, just ask.
 
We like Conover Cove on Wallace island. We also like Ganges and Chemainus. From the port of Sidney you can take public transportation to Victoria and to Butchart Gardens.
 
Toss in my 2 cents.

Not much hiking out of this one, but it is a very charming small town, very low-keyed: Ladysmith. Interesting Maritime Society which oversees the "marina" there: http://www.ladysmithmaritimesociety.ca/ No power, but nicely done, and easy walking to restaurants, etc. Lotta history here, going back to coal mining days.

A real change of pace from Ganges.
 
I agree with Montegue and also like Maple Bay. If you have a reciprocal the Maple Bay Yacht Club is terrific. Ladysmith is interesting and a good place to walk around town. Or if you like the city, Victoria is a short jaunt around the corner
 
last year we went to victoria again. we have been there before and have seen everything with in walking distance.... so we rented a scooter for two hours and saw a whole lot more. Ran all over the place. up and around the parks that over look the striats, up to some hill that over looks the whole south end of the island ( dont remember the name) . It was a whole lot of fun and easy to do. get out and see more then the ports.
 
Another place that I just remembered is the Mayne Island Inn. If it is still there, they had good meals 10 or so years ago. It's on the east side of the island (either Campbell Bay or Bennett Bay). You can have some fun running through boat pass at high slack. We went through in our double kayak.

Watch out for the standing waves in Active Pass.
 
My favorites are Conover Cove on Wallace Island and Montague Harbour. I also like Cabbage and Tumbo Island. It's scenic with some good walking but there are no docks and it got pretty rolly the night I was there.
 
Staying on the docks at the Inner Harbour in Victoria was one of our favorites...

ParliamentLightsE.jpg

We toured the Parliament building, took buses all around, walked around the city, ate at little outdoor cafes, enjoyed the entertainment along the waterfront... so much to see and do.

Anchoring out in Montague Harbour was quiet; the hippy bus to the Hummingbird Pub was entertaining, the "bakery boat" was a unique treat.

Sidney Spit was quiet once the passenger ferry was done running... and a nice walk on the beach with sand between my toes.

With 4 days and 6 knots, I'd be more inclined to pick one area (Sidney, Sidney Spit, then around to Victoria) and explore rather than try to cover a lot of distance.

Have fun, keep us posted! :D

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
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