CRUISING NOTES TO DESOLATION SOUND

DEPARTURE FROM COMOX

Be sure you have all your dock lines (4), fenders (4 or more) and power cord (and adaptor if being used) with you before leaving the dock.  Please take note of how your yacht is tied up, two breast lines and two spring lines.  This is how you will want to tie back up when you return.

CHART 3527:  Upon departing Comox Bay Marina, immediately turn to port and leave the two standing pilings outside the entrance to starboard, staying within 30 feet (10 meters) of the west end of the rock breakwater to avoid the shallows on your right.  Once clear of the breakwater, you are in deep water and GOOSE SPIT is clearly visible ahead and to your left.  It is low and sandy with buildings halfway along it and trees towards its outer end.  Goose Spit Light, a quick flashing red light on a 15' solid white tower with red band at its top, marks the western extremity of the spit.

Head directly for the west end of the Spit.  Once clear of the Spit, you will see SANDY ISLAND to the southeast (off the northern tip of DENMAN ISLAND).  Head directly for this island until you can clearly identify the red cone buoy P50 marking the channel across the COMOX BAR.  Once identified, head directly for it.  The other two buoys marking the channel are  also red - a spar buoy P52 and a bell buoy P54.  There are no green buoys marking the channel.  DO NOT cut any corners.  You must stay within 100 yards (meters) of the buoys, leaving them to port when leaving.  

DO NOT look for the range markers onshore.  You will not see them during the day.

CROSSING THE STRAIT OF GEORGIA

CHART 3513:  Once across the bar you must next find buoy PJ, an east cardinal buoy marking the outer reaches of CAPE LAZO shoals.  It will not be visible from the bell buoy P54.  An easy way to find it is to sight across the STRAIT OF GEORGIA where the smoke stacks in Powell River are clearly seen.  Head directly for the stacks (20^oM) and you will find buoy PJ without any problems.  It  can be a difficult buoy to find.

Once at buoy PJ you have two choices to reach the Sound, SHEARWATER PASSAGE, west of Harwood Island and BAKER PASSAGE between Cortes Island and Hernando Island.  You CANNOT go through MANSON PASSAGE, EVER.

Wind direction will dictate which route you will want to take.  If it is blowing a southeasterly you have your choice of either route.  If it is blowing from the northwest, do not beat up the Straits for Baker Passage.  It is easier to go via SHEARWATER PASSAGE. 

Finding SHEARWATER PASSAGE is easy.  You will have already identified HARWOOD ISLAND from buoy PJ or before.  It is flat, dark green and heavily wooded.  Head for the western side of the Island (005^oM), leaving it slightly to starboard.  VIVIAN ISLAND will also become quite visible from about halfway across the Straits.  It is treeless and mostly barren rock.  You can come quite close to it if you wish, sometimes there are large sea lions sunning on the rocks.  Favour the Harwood/Vivian Island side of the passage to avoid GRANT REEF and MYSTERY REEF.

The buoy Q25, marking the southern end of MYSTERY REEF, is very difficult to find.  An easy way to find it is to do this:  if you were to draw a line from the eastern tip of Savary and the northern tip of Harwood, you would see it marks off the clear water between the reef and the shore.  If you can see that you have crossed this line and still have not picked up the buoy, turn NW and run parallel to the shore (290^oM) and you will pick it up very quickly.  Keep this line in mind if you are tacking up this shore.  You will lose sight of the buoy quickly as it soon blends in with Harwood Island.

DESOLATION SOUND - Charts 3538, 3312

SAVARY ISLAND has some great beaches with very warm water for swimming.  Unfortunately, the Government Dock on the northern shore is only for drop off or pick up, you cannot stay there.  Dropping a lunch hook for a swim is great but DO NOT anchor overnight.  There is no protection from the north at all and winds can shift very quickly.

You may well see people doing exactly what I've just said not to do, so I would like to draw your attention to one of the GOLDEN RULES OF CRUISING: NEVER ASSUME SOMEONE ELSE KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE DOING!  Take great care when navigating and choosing overnight anchorages.  In reference to the colouring on your chart, it is simply said "Sail on the white bits; anchor on the blue bits; drink on the yellow bits".

** NOTE - NUMBERS IN PARENTHESIS REFER TO "MAP (end of document) AND SAMPLE ITINERARY" **

 Once past Savary Island, the winds are very often more westerly as they tend to blow up the Sound.  The town of LUND (#1) is just past Savary Island.  There are no anchorages but  there are good moorage facilities.  Fuel, water and limited provisions are available as well as a coffee house, bakery, and hotel with restaurant, store, showers and laundromat.  Also not a bad place for your second last night before heading back across the Straits.

THULIN PASSAGE, between the COPELAND ISLANDS and  Malaspina Peninsula, is just north of Lund  and well worth going through.  There are NO overnight anchorages in the Copelands.  You may see boats anchored here, as well as the northern side of Savary.  Remember the GOLDEN RULE.

You are now very near CORTES BAY (#2) on CORTES ISLAND.  This is an option for a first night as it is easily reached within 5 to 6 hours from Comox by sail, much less by power.  GREAT CAUTION MUST BE TAKEN WHEN APPROACHING CORTES BAY!  The area between THREE ISLETS and the bluffs to their north has some very dangerous and poorly charted rocks.   

Cortes Bay offers a choice of a Government Dock or anchoring.  There is no fuel or water at the Government Dock, and no store is within walking distance.  If anchoring, do so only in the west end, taking care that the hook is well set and you have plenty of scope.  The holding is OK but not exceptional.

You are now at the mouth of Desolation Sound.  From here everything is very close with many choices of anchorages within a short distance.

Further up the east coast of Cortes Island there is an excellent anchorage called SQUIRREL COVE (#3).  Before reaching the anchorage you will see a Government Dock.  There is no fuel or water but there is a sizable store open year round.  It is well stocked with food, alcohol, ice, propane and limited amount of hardware.  Hours are 9am-6pm every day with longer hours July and August - Mon-Sat 9am-9pm, Sun 9am-6pm.  Phone (250) 935-6327.  This  is also one of the few places you can drop your GARBAGE.  There are large bins right out at the end of the dock for the convenience of boaters, though this once free service now costs you a nominal fee.  DO NOT OVERNIGHT at the Government Dock.  It is very exposed to ANY wind and even passing tugs throw a hefty wake.

Directly north of the Government Dock, just off BOULDER POINT, there is another poorly charted rock.  GREAT CARE must be taken to give this point a very wide berth if approaching from or heading toward the north.  The rock has been marked with a day beacon which is mounted directly on top of it.  Unfortunately there is still more rock to hit out beyond this beacon.  STAND WELL OFF THIS MARKER!

As you approach the actual Cove, enter by the WEST ENTRANCE ONLY, a narrow passage opening into a large, well protected backwater bay.  This is one of the best protected bays in the Sound.  Good anchorage can be found anywhere in the bay except the very northern corner.  There are logs and cables on the bottom, from the old logging days, that could snag an anchor.

A fun thing to do in Squirrel Cove is to take your dinghy into the tidewater lagoon at the end of the Cove.  The entrance to this lagoon is known as the "Reversing Rapids".  Salt water flows in on a rising tide, then out again on a falling tide and all at quite a fast rate.  The lagoon is very beautiful and the ride in or out is always exciting (so long as you  have enough water).

Just north of Squirrel Cove on WEST REDONDA ISLAND is TEAKERNE ARM (#4).  At its NE end there is a 90 foot waterfall cascading right out of CASSEL LAKE down into the bay.  This is a MUST SEE in the area.  Temporary anchorage can be had to the left of the dinghy dock (please do not tie your vessel up to the dock itself).

A word here on anchoring stern-to.

You will find anchoring this way is very common in the Sound.  If you have never done it before, the following is the best method I have found to do it with minimum problems.  Before you actually drop the anchor, have someone go ashore with the stern line, tie it securely to a tree or rock (above high water mark), then row the line out to approximately where you want your stern.  Anchor the boat and back up towards the person in the dinghy.  It is much easier for the dinghy to maneuver than the boat with a hook down.  Once secure, if the bottom is not quite visible, make up some sort of lead line to check the depth of water at the stern.  The bottom drops off quickly here and your sounder may read 30' where it is, but you may have only 10' at the stern.  With as much as 18' of tidal range you can drop as fast as 3' an hour!

The water in Cassel Lake can reach over 20^oC (70^oF).  The falls are therefore very warm to shower in.  It is also quite easy to hike up to the lake by a path that takes off from the dinghy dock.  Swimming and diving off the rocks is a lot of fun.

Unfortunately you CANNOT stay overnight at this anchorage.  You will be dropping the hook in 45 to 65 feet of water with a sternline ashore.  Your stern will not be far from the shore, the holding is very poor and there is no room for error.  A southeasterly drives a fair size sea right into this corner and moving anchorage in the middle of a dark night with no navigational aids is nobody's idea of a fun, or safe time.

Tying to a log boom could also ruin your day as they are moved any time day or night.  So forget that idea.  Talbot Cove and Joyce Point have oyster leases and any area that looks like an oyster lease or a fish farm must be avoided completely.  OYSTER LEASES are identified by rows of buoys and FISH FARMS look like low barges with railings around them.  Never approach either of these types of facilities.

There are, therefore, no overnight anchorages in Teakerne Arm at all.  You have to head south, back towards Homfray Channel but this isn't so bad actually.  Distances are very short and you can have a great day at the falls and lake and have plenty of time to head to another spot for the night.

South of Teakerne Arm on West  Redonda Island is REFUGE COVE (#5).  There is no anchorage here but dockside moorage is available - Phone (250) 935-6659 & they monitor VHF 66A.  This is your only place to get fuel or water and propane in the immediate area of the Sound (also has provisions).  If you just need water, please do not use the fuel dock.  It is quite all right to tie up on any of the other docks to water up and/or get provisions.  As well as a good store, you will also find a liquor store, craft shop, shower, washer & dryer and a hamburger stand that has been enlarged with the addition  of a CAPPUCCINO BAR with FRESH BAKED goodies.  Refuge Cove is open daily from June 1 to mid-September (9am-5pm) with extended hours in July and August (9am-6pm).  BEFORE JUNE AND AFTER MID-SEPTEMBER fuel and water are available on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 1 to 3 pm only.  The residents of this quaint little community do ask boaters to respect their privacy and refrain from trekking through their residential properties.  Although there is no garbage collection at the marina, that task has recently been undertaken by an enterprising gentleman who has his boat tied to a small barge that you will see on your way into Refuge Cove.  He will gladly take your garbage for a nominal fee.

Going south around West Redonda Island, past Martin Islands and on around the south side of MINK ISLAND, there is a great anchorage in a cove in the NE corner of TENEDOS BAY (#6).  Good holding stern-to may be obtained along the area south of the creek.  (Take care of the rock lying straight out from the creek.)  From here it is a short hike up to Unwin Lake which is very warm for swimming from June to September.  There are also endless hiking trails all through this area.

At the entrance to Tenedos Bay there is another very dangerous and poorly charted area of submerged rocks.  They lie between a little islet called RAY ROCK and the bluffs off BOLD HEAD to the north. DO NOT pass through this area.  Another bad, submerged rock (are there any good ones) lies just inside the entrance to the NE of Bold Head.  Don't be daydreaming when traversing this area. 

Around the corner and up into HOMFRAY  CHANNEL is one of the best known, most photographed and prettiest areas in the Sound, PRIDEAUX HAVEN (#7).  Care must be taken to avoid SKYPILOT ROCK.  It lies just north of OTTER ISLAND.

The best anchorage here is MELANIE COVE (#7).  It MUST be approached from around the NORTH side of EVELEIGH ISLAND, then through a narrow passage around the east end of the island.  YOU CANNOT ACCESS THE COVE VIA THE SHALLOW PASS  ALONG THE SOUTH  SIDE OF EVELEIGH ISLAND.

A second choice is LAURA COVE (#7), very close to the NNE of Melanie Cove.  Though not as large, and requires anchoring with a stern line (too narrow to swing), it has excellent holding.  DO NOT ANCHOR AT THE WEST END, it is riddled with rocks.  The remains of Old Phil the Frenchman's cabin, as mentioned in The Curve of Time, is at the east end of the cove.  For the brave and daring there  is a rope swing on the south shore opposite the entrance and to your right.

Across from Prideaux Haven on West Redonda is ROSCOE BAY (#10).  This is the only anchorage where you are restricted by tide getting into and out of it.  There is a bar part way along the narrow entrance that almost dries at low tide.  Consult your tide tables carefully.  It is essential to know the tide level before entering and you will also want to know when you can get out again the next day.  Once past the bar, excellent anchorage can be obtained anywhere in this beautiful bay and it is a very short hike to BLACK LAKE, another very warm lake for swimming.  Further hiking can be had along the lake shore.

PENDRELL SOUND, which branches off from Waddington Channel and nearly divides East Redonda Island in two, is well worth exploring.  It has the warmest waters of the Sound with temperatures reaching as high as 25^oC (80^oF) all summer and is ripe with oysters and mussels.  (Never go ashore anywhere in the Sound with bare feet, and be very careful with inflatables).  In settled weather, anchorage can be found stern-to at the very head of the Sound.

 If you would like to venture a little further, there is a great little anchorage at the top of WADDINGTON CHANNEL called WALSH COVE (#8).  There are Indian pictographs (rock paintings) on the cliffs at the northern part of the anchorage just inside the bight of the cove.  From the water they are partly hidden by trees, but once ashore they are easily found.  These are hundreds of years old and were discovered by Vancouver's botanist Archibald Menzies in 1792.

Also in Waddington Channel, just south of Walsh Cove, is  DOCTOR BAY.  This is the home of an active fish farm which, unfortunately, precludes it as an anchorage.  There are no other anchorages in Waddington Channel because of oyster leases.

Moving north, there is little or no current in the gap between West and East Redonda Islands.  Traveling through here you will have a great view up TOBA INLET, a truly beautiful and remote area.  It is 25 miles up to the head of the inlet which, though very scenic, has no anchorages save Brem Bay in good weather.  No anchorage can be found at the head of Toba Inlet as it is shallow, windy, and exposed.  You are guaranteed however, to most likely have the entire area all to yourself.  Recently, a small resort/dock called Toba Wildernest was built at the entrance to Toba on the north shore just NW of Double Island.  There is often overnight moorage available at their dock.

Coming back south via HOMFRAY CHANNEL makes for a nice circuit.  Homfray Channel is the second deepest sounding in North America reaching depths of 2400 feet with peaks rising 5000' to 8000' around you.  There are two good anchorages.  ATTWOOD BAY is a great spot now that the fish farm is gone.  However, take note that the small bight at the back of this bay is NOT AS CHARTED and no anchorage can be found there.  Another good anchorage is just to the south in FORBES BAY (#9).  Even though it does not at first glance look that good, anchoring stern-to on the northeastern shore will give you reasonably good protection from the north and the south.

ADDITIONAL EXPLORING NEAR DESOLATION SOUND

CORTES ISLAND - west side: (chart 3538 and chart book 3312)

VON DONOP INLET has an extremely dangerous rock part way along its entrance that is almost impossible not to hit.  DO NOT ATTEMPT TO ENTER THIS INLET AT ANY TIDE.

WHALETOWN has a Government Dock and pleasant walks.  Please note that there is no longer a store at Whaletown.

GORGE HARBOUR is a beautiful and extremely well protected bay.  At its entrance, Indian Pictographs can be seen on the cliffs on the west side and ancient Indian burial caves can be found on the east side.  Once in the bay, the only anchorage is found at the NW end.  Watch your depth carefully.  DO NOT ATTEMPT TO ANCHOR ANYWHERE ELSE IN THIS BAY.  You will not get the anchor to bight as the bottom is very shaley other than in the west corner.  If cruising around sightseeing, THERE ARE NUMEROUS AND POORLY CHARTED ROCKS lying between the Tan and Ring Islands and the northern shore, and around the Pill and Stove Islets.  DO NOT PASS THROUGH THIS AREA.  There is also an excellent marina/resort with full facilities near the NW anchorage called GORGE HARBOUR MARINA RESORT.  They have moorage, fuel, water, showers, a well stocked store and an excellent restaurant open May through September - Phone (250) 935-6433.  They monitor channel VHF 66A.

QUADRA ISLAND - east side: (chart 3538 and chart book 3312)

HERIOT BAY offers both a Government Dock and the facilities of HERIOT BAY INN AND MARINA, an old and very quaint resort with 1800ft of side tie moorage with washrooms, showers and laundry.  Fuel, water, and propane available.  Their restaurant has an excellent  reputation.  OPen all year, Phone (250) 285-3322 and they monitor VHF 66A.  A grocery store is across the street as well as a liquor store and post office.

DREW HARBOUR, behind REBECCA SPIT, offers reasonable anchorage, but is known as a place for dragging.  BE SURE YOUR ANCHOR IS WELL SET if anchoring here overnight.  It is within walking distance of Heriot Bay.

RETURNING TO COMOX

(Note - If you are in the area of Sutil Channel between Cortes Island (Gorge Harbour) and Quadra Island (Heriot Bay) or in the Campbell River area, PLEASE READ THE NOTES FROM "RETURNING TO COMOX FROM AREAS WEST OF DESOLATION SOUND" VERY CAREFULLY).

Wind direction will determine the best route.  The following suggestions will guarantee you a safe and comfortable ride back.

NORTHERLIES:
If the wind is from the north, you have the choice of coming out Baker Passage or down Shearwater Passage and then across the Straits.

SOUTHEASTERLIES:
If the wind is from the south, DO NOT come out Baker Passage and try to beat into it.  You won't like it or have fun.  The seas in the Straits rarely get over 8 feet, but as the wind increases, they get closer together and steeper.  Listen for SISTERS ISLAND on the VHF weather channel (refer to 3rd last page of notes) to know what conditions are out in the Straits.

SAILBOATS
If SAILING, DO NOT be lured into heading straight for Cape Lazo from the Mystery Reef Buoy Q25.  Once out of the lee of Harwood and then Texada Islands, the wind will veer more southeasterly and you will find yourself beating into a steep and uncomfortable sea.  The trick is to stay in the lee of these Islands and keep going south past Harwood and Vivian Islands, past Rebecca Rock light and right down as far as Marshall Point/Crescent Bay on Texada Island.  Then head out across the Straits for a fun and fast beam reach home.  A little note on reefing here.  It is much more easily done in port before you set out, or at least while in the lee of Texada Island, if high winds are expected.

POWERBOATS
If you are travelling by displacement or semi-displacement POWERBOAT into a southerly, you will in fact have a more comfortable ride by heading out into the Straits from Mystery Reef Buoy Q25.  This will put the seas just off your port bow.  Be sure to follow the next instructions regarding Cape Lazo.

In the rare event of more severe conditions, you MAY want to head more into the wind and seas in a southerly direction toward Hornby Island to reduce rolling.  Then turn back up towards Cape Lazo where the seas will be on your stern or quarter.  You would also need to allow considerably more time for the crossing.  Again, these kinds of conditions are extremely rare in the summer months.

RETURNING TO COMOX FROM AREAS WEST OF DESOLATION SOUND

Wind direction will once again determine the best route back, but SEVERE CAUTION must be advised in the event of southerly winds.  If you are in the area of Sutil Channel between Cortes Island (Gorge Harbour) and Quadra Island (Heriot Bay) or in the Campbell River area, PLEASE READ CAREFULLY.  The following suggestions will guarantee you a safe and comfortable ride back.

NORTHERLIES:
No problems for either sail or power boats.

SOUTHEASTERLIES:
SEVERE CAUTION!!!  DO NOT second guess a southeast wind.  YOU MUST keep a close ear to your weather channel for a few days prior to being in any of the above mentioned areas.  If a southeast wind is in the forecast, DO NOT PLAN TO RETURN FROM THESE AREAS.  If possible, you MUST get back over into the protected waters of the Sound via Baker Passage before the southeasterly begins.  Most often, if it hasn't started blowing yet, you will have a window of time in the early morning to do this.  Leave at first light.

If you find yourself in the unfavourable situation of being in Campbell River and a southeasterly is already in progress, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO LEAVE THE HARBOUR.  A flood current (south) runs directly into the teeth of a southeasterly at Cape Mudge and MUST BE AVOIDED, NO EXCEPTIONS!  THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS AREA IN THESE CONDITIONS.

If you are in the vicinity of Heriot Bay on Quadra Island or Gorge Harbour on Cortes Island, both very nice places to visit by the way, you do not have the problem of current against wind.  However, it can still be rough heading down Sutil Channel, or just getting out of Gorge Harbour itself, if the winds are 25 to 30 knots plus.  Again, use extreme caution in your planning; leave very early to get around Point Sutil on the south tip of Cortes Island as early as possible.  Take care rounding the buoy Q20 marking the shoals off this point.  This buoy can be difficult to find as it is a long way from shore.  This is the entrance to Baker Passage and you will be in protected waters soon after.

Once through Baker Passage, follow the directions described in RETURNING TO COMOX above.

FINDING YOUR WAY PAST CAPE LAZO AND ACROSS THE COMOX BAR

The East Cardinal Buoy PJ, marking the eastern extemities of Cape Lazo Shoals, is a long way from shore and can be very difficult to spot.  Here are a few tips that can make this difficult buoy and the route on to Buoy P54 easier to find.

Situation #1
When approaching from the northern part of Texada Island, i.e. sailing back in a southerly, you will see the bluffs of Cape Lazo quite clearly from the Eastern side of the Strait.  Sandy Island, 31/2 miles SE of Cape Lazo and just north of Denman Island, will also be quite visible.  AIM FOR A POINT HALFWAY BETWEEN CAPE LAZO AND SANDY ISLAND.  Further SW along the shore from Cape Lazo are the Willemar Bluffs.   From about 2/3 of the way across the Straits they will become visible.  When you see them, head for a midway point between them and Sandy Island.  This will bring you right in past the East Cardinal Buoy PJ and then right up to where you will easily pick out the Comox Bar bell buoy P54.

Situation #2
If you are approaching from north of Cape Lazo, stay well off to pick up the East Cardinal Buoy PB.  You will not see the East Cardinal Buoy PJ from PB (formerly PK).  An easy way to find it is to head for the eastern side of Hornby Island.  Hornby is easily identified by its wedge shape.  This will bring you right up to PJ.  From PJ you will not see the bell buoy P54.  Head for a midpoint between Willemar Bluffs and Sandy Island and you will come right to the Comox Bar bell buoy P54.

Situation #3
If you are heading for Cape Lazo from Shearwater Passage, do not steer directly for it.  It is better to head for the northern end of Denman Island and as soon as you can identify Sandy Island, head straight for it.  This will make life much easier when trying to find that elusive East Cardinal buoy PJ.  In fact, this course will bring you almost right to it.  From PJ head for the midpoint between Willemar Bluffs and Sandy Island and you will come to the Comox Bar bell buoy P54.

CROSSING THE COMOX BAR

From buoy P54 on the East side of the Comox Bar the next two buoys marking the channel, the red spar buoy P52 and the red cone buoy P50, are clearly visible.  Leaving these to starboard you have good depths at any tide to cross the bar.  This bar is safe to cross in all weather.  There are no sea, wind or tidal conditions that make this bar impassable.  It is well protected in a northerly and surprisingly well protected in a southerly.  A large running sea out in the Straits will be considerably calmer by the time you get to the bar.

COMOX BAR RANGE LIGHTS

I will now mention something about the RANGE LIGHTS I told you not to look for on your way out.

Although you are not allowed to move at night (our insurance will NOT allow it because of logs and a distinct lack of lit navigational aids), you may find yourself in the unlikely emergency situation of having to enter Comox at night.  This is when you would use the range lights and, in fact, they are the only thing you will use.  You must stay well out until you have positively identified the ranges, then just stay on them and you will come right in with no problems.  A word of warning, the aftermost light is well hidden by trees from any angle to the north.  You will not see it until both lights are almost in line.  Even the forward light is quite hidden until you are well south of Cape Lazo.  These flashing yellow lights are, however, extremely bright and impossible to confuse with any other lights on shore.  Once past the lit bell buoy P54, keep in mind that buoys P52 and P50 are not lit so STAY ON THE RANGE until you can clearly see the Quick Flashing Red Light at the end of Goose Spit.  You will only get glimpses of it initially, but eventually it will appear in a section of dark, unlit shoreline (very convenient).  At that point, turn and head straight for it, nothing is now in your way (except the land the light is on).  Once past the light, the marina is quite easy to see. 

LAST NIGHT'S ANCHORAGE

A word about your last night's anchorage.  As you must be off and clear of your yacht by 9:00am on the last morning of your charter, it is not possible to get across the Straits from anywhere close enough to be on time.  There is a beautiful little anchorage at the northern end of Denman Island called HENRY BAY.  Arriving here the evening before you are due in makes for a much more relaxed and easy morning coming in.  It is only 5 miles from here to our docks.

Warning, DO NOT anchor off SANDY ISLAND overnight.  The shallow area south of its western end is NOT AS CHARTED.  There is no way of anchoring through any tidal range and not ending up on the bottom.  Any boats you see anchored there are either local, and will be gone before dark, or visitors that don't know and will probably be out cleaning their bottoms in the morning to look like they intended to careen their boat on purpose.

If you do wish to come in to the docks for your last night, a slip will be available to you at no charge.

ENTERING COMOX BAY MARINA

Once around the west end of Goose Spit, you will clearly see the marina breakwater to the north of you.  This breakwater is in two sections.  You must FUEL UP before returning to the DSYC docks, so please PROCEED TO THE FUEL DOCK TO REFUEL.  It is accessed via the break in the middle of the rock breakwater.

When refueled, proceed back out the rock breakwater, bear to starboard around the west end of the breakwater.  STAY WITHIN 30 FEET OF THE END OF THE BREAKWATER; THE WATER SHALLOWS VERY QUICKLY AFTER PASSING THE BREAKWATER.  Leave the two standing pilings to port; the docks are now close to starboard.  After entering the marina opening, turn to port, pass the boat lift that's on your port side and you are at the start of the DSYC slips.  NOTE - YOU MAY NOT BE RETURNING TO THE SLIP FROM WHICH YOU LEFT.  Proceed along our slips until you see the one with your boat's name in it; a small white and blue sign at the head of the slip.  PLEASE BE SURE TO GET INTO THE CORRECT SLIP.  Note - you will not know which side to have your fenders or lines until you see which slip you are in.

TIEING UP

Once you have found your slip, you can now circle around while you attach your dock lines and fenders.  Backing in is OK, but do not attempt it in a southerly of any force; there is no room for error if things go wrong, and backing up a boat with the bow to the wind is definitely challenging Murphy's Law - THAT WHICH CAN GO WRONG, WILL GO WRONG.  You have 4 fenders and 4 dock lines, 2 long and 2 shorter.  HAVE ALL LINES AND FENDERS ATTACHED TO THE BOAT BEFORE ENTERING THE SLIP.  Do not attach fenders to the lifelines.  If they catch on anything, there goes the stanchion and / or the lifeline itself.  Tie them to the bottom of the stanchions or through the toe rail.  Tie a breast line (short) and a spring line (long) to the bow cleat, likewise to the stern cleat.  If the boat has midship's cleats, they may be used for the spring lines.  DO NOT TIE LOOPS INTO THE ENDS OF THE LINES - THEY CAN COME OFF AND CANNOT BE ADJUSTED; secure the lines to the cleats using a figure of eight.  Once secure in the slip, please plug the boat in.

WEATHER

Weather in Desolation Sound is quite consistent June through September, mild temperatures with winds rarely in excess of 25 knots.  However, Southeasterlies can arrive with little warning.  They will not last long (usually a system will pass in 24 hours) and do not necessarily bring rain.  Check the VHF weather broadcast daily, but also remember that if systems decide to move quickly they can be hard to forecast.  CHECK THE SKY TOO.  With regard to returning from the Sound, IT IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY TO KNOW WHAT IS FORECAST.
** 24 hour weather broadcasts are available on VHF WX Channel #1 and #3 for our area (also on broadcast channel #21) **

Lighthouse and buoy reports that are in or near our area are:
Cape Mudge (#11 on map)
Sentry Shoals (#12 on map)
Cape Lazo (#13 on map)
Chrome Island (south end of DENMAN ISLAND)
Sisters Island (mid Straits off LASQUETI ISLAND south of Comox)

TIDES

Tidal predictions can be found in "Ports and Passages" Tides, Currents & Charts.  The prediction stations are listed alphabetically and the daily predictions for both Comox Harbour (Henry Bay) and Desolation Sound are listed in this publication.

All tides have been corrected for Daylight Savings Time.

The Flood and Ebb tides meet in Desolation Sound coming north from the bottom of Vancouver Island and south from the top of the Island.  The result is almost no current in the Sound.  The most you will see is 1.5 knots.  As you will see, however, there is a tremendous vertical drop, up to 18 feet (5.8 meters).  Great care must be taken when navigating and anchoring.

COMMUNICATION

We do not monitor VHF because the topography of the area makes this line of sight communication impossible.  The Coast Guard, however, have relay stations on the mountain tops so you can always get hold of them.

If you are having trouble there are two ways of getting hold of us:

1.  If you are mobile, go to the nearest dock.  Anywhere there is a dock, there is a telephone.  Call us and we will arrange to have someone look after you.  DO NOT arrange anything yourself.  We have people in place in the Sound and we will arrange for them to get to you as quickly as possible.  Toll free number 1-877-647-3815 or (250) 339-7222.

2.  If you are immobile and not near a phone, call the Coast Guard by VHF radio and they will call us.  Again, we will arrange for someone to get to you as quickly as possible.  NOTE:  Do not call us via the Coast Guard unless it is an emergency.

3.  The Sound is now covered for cellular phone use.  All boats have 12-volt receptacles of the cigarette lighter type.

We hope you will enjoy one of the most beautiful cruising grounds in the world and come back and see us again soon.

                                                    Reference Map for Cruising Notes
                    

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