Desolation Sound sits at the top of Georgia Strait, and encompasses hundreds of square miles of rugged islands divided by deep channels. Further north, the Discovery Islands offer even more isolation and beauty.
Rounding Sarah Point, at the top of the Malaspina Peninsula, the vistas of Desolation Sound opened up in front of us. It's breathtaking every time we see it.
Grace Harbour, in Malaspina Inlet, is a fine all-weather anchorage, extremely popular in the summer months.
Grace Harbour in the shoulder season.
Grace Harbour shoreline. The subtleties and richness of colour have to be seen to be believed. Photographs are a poor imitation.
Prideaux Haven. It truly is a haven; the winds and waves do not penetrate into the inner coves. We have seen some interesting anchoring techniques take place here, which can provide hours of entertainment for the anchored witnesses, and we have provided our share.
The view from the main anchorage in Prideaux Haven. While not as sheltered as Melanie and Laura Coves, the view down Homfray Channel is enough reason for many to seek this spot.
At anchor in Melanie Cove.
Catching up on reading.
Black bears are a fairly frequent sight in the Desolation Sound area. It makes hiking slightly more adventurous. We deliberately make a lot of noise when walking in the woods to let the bears know we are coming; they usually get out of the way, which is good because we couldn't possibly outrun them.
One interesting phenomenon in Desolation Sound in the fall is the huge increase in the number of jellyfish. The water in all the coves teems with these moon jellies.
moon jellies.
Roscoe Bay is unusual because there is a bar across the entrance, so transit is not possible at low tide. Another favourite spot, particularly because the swimming in Black Lake is excellent, especially after a few days on the boat without a shower.
Poor planning can result in problems when the tide goes out. Nothing to do but pad the rocks where the boat is going to rest, and wait for the water to come back.
You don't need a big boat to explore Desolation Sound. This camper was traveling very close to nature. Compared to a kayak, he has enormous storage space.
As the day winds down, an explorer in a dinghy returns to his boat.
Rebecca Spit, on the southeast corner of Quadra Island, has the additional benefit of having Heriot Bay close by. Heriot Bay is blessed with a liquor store and a supermarket in one location; they also deliver to the dock free of charge. It is an excellent place for reprovisioning before heading farther north.
Rebecca Spit. The high tide line is at the debris on the right hand side. Twelve to fifteen feet of tide make anchoring an exercise in math. This basin is eighty feet deep in the middle, so having reasonable scope at high tide, with 35 knots of wind blowing, proved impossible. Two hundred feet of line out put us in twelve to eighteen feet of water, with eight feet left to go out. We chose to move.
Dusk at Rebecca Spit, looking east to the mountains on the mainland
The Skipper at Rebecca Spit, in less salubrious weather.
Von Donop Inlet extends three miles into the middle of Cortes Island. From the head of the inlet you can walk across the island to the community of Squirrel Cove.
A surprise setting for fine dining. Von Donop Inlet at high tide.
A fiery sunset on a calm evening.
The Gulf Islands
The San Juans
The Sunshine Coast
Princess Louisa Inlet
Totems
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