Alternate Route in 10 Days

After arriving in Comox and early boarding the previous day, you will be ready to leave the DSYC charter base early for your trip across the Salish Sea, via Mystery Reef and Lund. If you have time, you can stop at Lund and sample the world-famous Cinnamon buns and coffee. Continuing up through Thulin passage and the Copeland Islands, you are on a direct route to the very safe and pleasant anchorage of Squirrel Cove.

Today, you must leave at a time that will allow you to reach the Yuculta/Dent/ Gillard passage tidal rapids at just before slack, with the tide turning to Ebb (north). Consult your Ports and Passes book to determine when that slack is and arrive early as the tide charts can be slightly off. After passing through this area, you will continue for a few more nautical miles until you reach Shoal Bay, once the largest community north of San Francisco. This old mining community now consists of a Pub, showers, government wharf (no services on the wharf), laundry and a challenging hike up to an old gold mine.

Day 3 is another day of getting through tidal rapids. Just after leaving Shoal Bay, you will reach Greene Point rapids and further on Whirlpool Rapids. Both narrows can be transited in a single slack period. Remember to arrive at Greene point just before slack and ebbing north. Once through Whirlpool, you will continue down Sunderland Channel until you reach Johnstone Strait. Turn to starboard and hug the coast passing Port Neville. When you reach the Broken islands and the entrance to Havannah channel, turn again to Starboard and cruise to Chatham Channel. A narrow pass that requires you to keep the range markers fore and aft in line to transit. At the blowhole, navigate at dead slow through and into Lagoon Cove, your home for the night. (reservations required)

From Lagoon Cove to Echo Bay, your destination for today is about 25 NM. After leaving the comforts of Lagoon Cove, you continue down Clio Channel until you reach Beware passage. This is a stretch of water that is strewn with reefs and isolated rocks. Follow your charts carefully and you will navigate easily. Continue north through a variety of island. You will pass several old derelict first nations villages, Karlukwees and Mamalilaculla. After a very pleasant cruise through islands of the Broughton’s, you will reach Echo Bay marine resort. This is your turnaround point. Reservations are necessary.

A lay day, no travel today, unless you take your dinghy into Shoal harbour and explore or hike over to Billy Proctors Museum and logging display. Echo Bay provides a store, fuel, water, Wi-Fi, cell service and more.

We start our return journey to Comox via Tribune channel. Up and around the top of Gilford Island passing the much-photographed Lacy falls and on to Kwatzi Bay. Stop here for a hike over to a spectacular waterfall. You will continue toward Chatham Channel passing famous Minstrel Island. After transiting Chatham Channel, you continue straight until you reach two good anchorages. The once large first nations settlement of Matilpi or a nautical mile or so further on is Boughey (boogey) Bay. Here you can row ashore and discover the old logging community that was once a thriving settlement. See if you can find the paved road in the bush

Heading south down Havannah channel, you will once again exit onto Johnstone strait at the Broken islands. Do not attempt to cut through the islands but go around. This is a long stretch of Johnstone Strait that is best navigated in the morning. Afternoons can bring Katabatic winds that roar down the straight and cause uncomfortable seas. Your goal is the mouth of Mayne passage and on up to Blind Channel Resort, (reservations required) this is a full-service resort, restaurant, fuel, water, store, hiking and more.

You will backtrack down Mayne passage to Johnstone strait and continue south passing Chatham point lighthouse until you reach Okisollo channel. One of the most beautiful passages on the coast, this will lead you to Upper and Lower rapids, so time your travel to arrive at Upper rapids at slack leading to a flood. This will allow you to transit both sets of rapids with ease. At the southern end of Upper Rapids, you will pass the west entrance to famous “Hole in the Wall.” But we will spare you that today, your anchorage tonight is in peaceful Wiaitt Bay. There is a narrow but easily navigable passage that will lead you through the Octopus islands and on into the Bay. Anchor at the western most portion of the bay in good holding mud. Ashore you will find a hiking trail that leads over to the other side of Quadra Island.

Your last set of rapids today is Beasley passage or more commonly referred to as “Surge Narrows.” Time your passage for slack leading to a flood and you will then be able to ride the southerly flowing tide down past Mittlenatch island on your way to crossing the Comox Bar and your home for the night, Henry Bay on the north end of Denman Island. This is a long day and so an early start is advised.

A short motor over to Comox harbour to refuel your yacht and call ahead to let DSYC know of your arrival at the fuel barge. A DSYC skipper will come and bring you back to your slip, where you can say goodbye to your yacht. Hope to see you again next year.

We hope you had a great time and look forward to your next adventure with Desolation Sound Yacht Charters.