CRUISING TO TOBA INLET

6 DAY ITINERARIES TO TOBA

If you have already enjoyed exploring and cruising through Desolation Sound, you may really enjoy a new itinerary that isn't too far beyond the Sound, keeps you out of any rapids and takes you up into spectacular Toba Inlet.   The best time to see Toba is in the early season, in particular, May.

                                              
                                                         Toba Inlet - View Back to Face Mountain

Day 1
You must take the opportunity to spend your first night on board your yacht at the charter base in Comox.  This way you can go through your chart briefing, get through yacht systems, get groceries, your gear loaded and get settled.  Then be ready to get up and go on the first full day of your charter.   You will cross beautiful Georgia Strait, round Mystery Reef and Savary Island, past the seaside town of Lund (9), cruise through Thulin Passage and up into Squirrel Cove (1) on Cortes Island for your first overnight anchorage.

Day 2
You have a fair way to travel today so plan to get going reasonably early.  You want to head back south out of Squirrel Cove and into Desolation Sound.  Head towards Waddington Channel via the cut between West Redonda Island and the Martin Islands.  Your destination is either Walsh Cove Marine Park (8) anchorage (approx 15 miles) or Toba Wildernest Resort behind Double Island (approx 18 miles).  Depending on your arrival time, if you choose to stay at Walsh Cove Marine Park, you can dinghy over to the cliffs on the north side of the cove and search for Indian pictographs at Butler Point.  If you choose to stay at Toba Wildernest maybe you'll have time to hike up to the waterfall behind the resort.   

  
          Camping on Martin Islands                 Toba Inlet, Toba Wildernest

   
              Cabin at Toba Wildernest                          Toba Wildernest Hot Tub

Day 3
Today is the day you actually cruise into Toba Inlet!   Toba Inlet extends 20 miles into the 8000 foot high Coast Range Mountains.   These towering glacier capped mountains surrounding Toba Inlet are awe inspiring.   The water in the Inlet is very deep right up to the rock wall shores.   Spectacular waterfalls crash into the sea, especially early in the season when the snow pack is melting rapidly.  As you leave your anchorage and head up the Inlet, the first waterfall you will come to will be on your left.  At first this will appear to be a small ribbon of water, but as you get closer it becomes a roaring torrent.

              
                                                              Face Mountain Falls

                                                       Face Mountain Falls

Definitely worth the trip!  After you have taken all the pictures you want, and are perhaps a little wet, continue along the Inlet until you come to Brem Bay.   If the winds and weather are fine, then you can carry on beyond Brem Bay to view the next even more spectacular waterfall a few miles away on the right side of the Inlet.   At first you will see a misty cloud near the water in the distance.  As you get closer you realize the magnitude of this next waterfall. 
                
                                                                  Toba Inlet Waterfall #2

                    
                                                             Bears Claw Falls

It roars down the side of the cliff and splits into three at the bottom.   Breathtaking!  There are more waterfalls as you carry on up the Inlet but unless you have the time you have to return to Brem Bay to anchor or Toba Wildernest to tie up.  Be sure to keep a sharp eye out for black bears foraging on the beaches between Brem Bay and Toba Wildernest.

                                                           

                 
Day 4
After spending the night at Brem Bay or Toba Wildernest, you need to begin thinking about heading home.  You have two good choices depending on whim and weather.  Choice #1 you would cruise back via Homfray Channel which boasts the deepest soundings in coastal North American waters - 2400 feet!

     
        Mt. Denman, View Up Homfray Channel                       View Up Homfray from DS Marine Park
                                                                                                              Scobell Island & Paige Islets

Plan to spend your evening in Desolation Sound Marine Park (5) and enjoy the splendour of giant mountain peaks towering all around you.  Go exploring in your dinghy and have a swim and play on the rope swing in Laura Cove.

Choice #2 would be to head back via Pryce Channel to Lewis Channel and Teakerne Arm (2).

Day 5
Easy day today.  Relax and play.  After enjoying Desolation Sound Marine Park, your only goal today is to go to Lund (9) for an overnight tie up in Lund Harbour to position yourself for the crossing to Comox the following day.

Day 6
Cruise back across Georgia Strait to Henry Bay (10) on Denman Island for a relaxing last night's anchorage.  This is a quiet bay with deserted sandy beaches just 5 miles from our Base.  If you prefer, or the weather is not cooperating, plan to return to the Base that evening, fuel up, tie up, perhaps unload some of your gear, have a shower, maybe dinner out and a good night's sleep.  Next morning you'll be ready for check out at 9:00 am.

                                                      
                                                                             Sunset at Henry Bay

Day 7
If you stayed at Henry Bay, plan to get up very early to fuel up and return the boat to the Base by 9:00 am.  On the way to the Comox Marina, take the time to check that all personal gear is packed and the boat is clean and ready for unloading so you can be clear for check-in at 9:00 am.  If you came in the night before you'll get a bit of extra sleep before you clear the boat by 9:00 am.

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Authored by: Desolation Sound Yacht Charters Ltd.
Last Updated: March 2, 2010