Alternate Route in 10 Days
The following is an alternative 10-day itinerary, more suited for power vessels than sailing, but applicable none the less. This routing will take the vessel through strong tidal flows and requires a good knowledge of navigation and reading tide charts. It is easily accomplished with a defensive navigational attitude
Day 1
Depart DSYC docks and cross the Salish Sea to arrive in Lund for a lunch break ashore or anchor off Savory Island for lunch. Note that Lund harbour is always extremely busy and space might be on the outer breakwater only. At Savory it is recommended to always stay on board as the anchoring is unreliable. Continue from Lund to Okeover inlet and anchor in Grace Harbour or continue south to the community docks at Okeover. Laughing Oyster restaurant is available here for dinner and drinks.
Day 2
Leave Okeover and proceed to Heriot Bay. Either anchor behind Rebecca spit or tie up at one of the marinas. On shore you will find a small supermarket, coffee shop and a quaint pub, the Heriot Bay Inn
Day 3
Leave Heriot Bay and proceed to Big Bay docks, this is your first set of strong tidal currents and your arrival will be dependent on the daily tides in this area. Ashore there is a nice hike up to a very warm and swimmable lake, a store and small café for morning coffee
Day 4
Leave Big Bay on the start of an ebb tide and cruise a few short kilometres to Shoal Bay Government Wharf. There are no facilities here, but the settlement has a small pub and showers. Take the time to hike up to the old Gold Mine or work their veggie garden for free veggies
Day 5
Leave Shoal Bay and cruise up Phillips inlet and see if you can find the old gold mining leaching centre that was on the mountainside and was fed by numerous local gold mines. Cruise or fish the day away and then proceed to Blind Channel resort overnight at dock
Day 6
Leave Blind channel and cruise down to Johnstone strait, cruise up and around east Thurlow island. Anchor overnight in beautiful chameleon harbour and swim in the warm waters of the park
Day 7
Leave Thurston Bay marine park and proceed up Nodales channel until you traverse the tidal currents at Dent and Yuculta (youclataw). Proceed through another set of tidal currents through “Hole in the Wall” and continue to the quiet and warm Wiaitt Bay or Octopus Islands Marine Park. Very safe anchorage with on shore hikes and lots of swimming.
Day 8
Leave Waiatt and proceed up through Upper rapids, to Okisollo channel, this part of the trip must be carefully timed and planned to travers famous Seymour narrows at a slack tide leading to a flood. Phone ahead and either tied up at April Point resort, or Discovery Marina in Campbell River.
Day 9
leave April Point on a flood tide and cruise down past Mittlenatch island, arriving Comox late in the afternoon. Anchor at Henry Bay for you last night on board or come back to DSYC marina for a relaxed overnight
Day 10
It’s a short motor over to Comox Harbour to refuel your yacht. Call DSYC base and advise them of your time of arrival at the fuel dock and a skipper will meet you and take you back to your slip. You must be off the vessel by 0900hrs. Make sure all your personal gear is accounted for.
We hope you had a great time and look forward to your next adventure with Desolation Sound Yacht Charters.