Contributions by Peter, S/V Fancy Free

Peter, S/V Fancy Free says:

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Smuggler Cove looks totally unlikely as you approach. The entrance is narrow and fairly shallow with shoals on the south side. Unnerving, but actually not difficult or dangerous.

Once inside, the cove is well protected. There is an inner bay that is accessibly only by dinghy or shallow draft vessels at low tide.

There is limited room to swing, and almost everyone (I wish everyone) stern ties to one of the many anchor points on the shore.

At the inner end of the outer bay there is a rock right in the middle, 0.4m at chart datum. Otherwise the depths are 4 to 5 metres. This requires you to use limited scope and stern tie, limited scope (30 metres of rode) otherwise everyone's anchor would be on to of each other in the middle of the bay. The bottom is mud and shell with excellent holding.

There is an improved trail from the headland on the south side, past the head on the onlet and on.

1 x helpful | written on 6. Oct 2025

Peter, S/V Fancy Free says:

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Squirrel Cove has a fairly narrow entrance that shoals a bit on both sides. Once inside, There is a fair bit of aquiculture in the outer bay. The whole bay is almost totally protected from the winds: it can be 35kn outside and barely a ripple inside.

The holding is excellent. Mud in water 3-4 metres deep. BUT there is a fair amount of old logging debris on the bottom. We have pulled up an old iron ring that was round the anchor, and another time the anchor pulled up a waterlogged log that was a bit difficult to release.

There is a fine trail from here to Von Donop.

1 x helpful | written on 6. Oct 2025

Peter, S/V Fancy Free says:

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The entrance to Von Donop is not particularly obvious, especially if you are aproaching from the south. The entrance is only about 100metres wide, and then there is a channel about 1.5NM long to get to the bay. There is a shallow bit about 1500metres into the channel with a rock that is a threat to deep keeled boats, at least at low tide: hug the SW shore in the narrows.

Once inside there is anchoring for many, many boats with excellent holding in mud. Depths will be up to 10 metres in the outer part of the bay, 5 to 7 metres in the inner bay.

Complete protection form the winds. Limited cell phone coverage: we got data by using my phone as a hot spot and hoisting it up the mast.

1 x helpful | written on 6. Oct 2025

Peter, S/V Fancy Free says:

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There are really two parts to this anchorage: the area behind Musket Island, and the wider area not behind Musket Island, but still behind Fox Island.

This anchorage is not as protected from the winds as you might think. It looks protected from SE and NW, thd prevailing wind directions, but the wind is funnelled round by Jervis Inlet and can whistle in from the WSW.

The charts are inaccurate, wildly misleading, on the depths.

The outer area is 20metres or more deep, and with a tidal swing of 5metres you are looking at a really deep anchorage. Modest holding.

On the charts the area behind musket Island is marked as 2m or less. This is just plain wrong. It is 10 to 15m. Modest holding, and stern tie required. There are ring bolts set into the rock face on the NW side of the anchorage. Drop anchor close in to Musket island and back away to tie to the other side. This is great, but it does put you beam on to the WSW wind. There is room for about a dozen boats, and there are about that number of ring bolts available.

The little anchorage is picturesque, but looking to the NE you will see an active quarry.

1 x helpful | written on 7. Oct 2025

Peter, S/V Fancy Free says:

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This is a great little marina, not very expensive, and they work hard to fit you in. In high season, expect to raft up. It is also a bit of a working port with a number of fishing boats based here. You can moor on one of the three piers, or (cheaper, but no shore power) up against the break waters, but it can be a little bumpy out there, and the breakwater pontoons are favoured by the sea birds and it shows.

There is a general store here, but it is limited. really it is a liquor store and some groceries. On the other hand there is a great coffee shop right by the marina. Nancy's coffee shop is a well known institution.

The marina is well protected from the wind and waves (with the caveat above), but there is a work boat/water taxi out to Savary Island that will rock you slightly.

The map only shows two piers. There is a third that branches off the first dock shown then turns to be parallel to it.

1 x helpful | written on 7. Oct 2025 | updated_on 8. Oct 2025

Peter, S/V Fancy Free says:

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The docks at this marina are a little ramshackle, but quite functional. you are close to the Ferry terminal, and it makes waves. The outer pier is also exposed to winds from the NW, which is a common direction for them. The hotel is well equipped with showers and laundry and the staff are friendly.

In the shoulder season the fuel dock has limited hours. When we were there in April it was open two days a week only and only for a few hours. On the other hand, a short walk up the hill is a good supermarket and coffee shop. This is a good provisioning stop for exploring the area.

1 x helpful | written on 7. Oct 2025

Peter, S/V Fancy Free says:

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Waiatt Bay, everything behind the Octopus Islands, is a big anchorage. It is not particularly deep, between 6m at the west end up to 10m in the NE corner, more in the SE corner. Good holding over mud, and lots to explore.

There are two ways into Waiatt Bay: the narrow channel from Bodega Bay to the NE, and the maze of islands and skerries of the Octopus Islands. The maze is sort of fun, if a little nerve wracking. The narrow channel is never less than 3metres deep, so is the preferred way in. And of course, to get here you have to negotiate one of the three tidal gates of the complex channels.

Well protected from the winds

1 x helpful | written on 7. Oct 2025

Peter, S/V Fancy Free says:

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Henry Bay feels rather exposed, and the anchorage is fairly deep, about 15metres. However the holding in sand is very good. We were here when the wind shifted from NW @15kn to SE @40kn at midnight. The boat moved the whole length of the 70metres of chain we had out, the anchor reset and held.

There is a sand and shell beach that will entertain children, but the bay itself has houses along the shore.

1 x helpful | written on 7. Oct 2025

Peter, S/V Fancy Free says:

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This is a well maintained and very protected marina. There is a restaurant / coffee shop at part of the marina with various activities available around to entertain children and adults. There is more to explore on the island.

1 x helpful | written on 7. Oct 2025

Peter, S/V Fancy Free says:

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Clam bay felt more exposed than the 9 rating given here. It is very open to the NE and we had wind in the bay when it was blowing from the NW. The south side of the bay is marked as having lots of obstructions on the sea bed. We anchored on the NW side, and the anchor held fast. It must have caught something because the boat dipped as we set the anchor and I had to pull in all directions to break it free in the morning.

Except at very low tide you can get a dinghy through "The Cut" to telegraph harbour.

1 x helpful | written on 7. Oct 2025

Peter, S/V Fancy Free says:

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This is a big, well protected, busy, anchorage. At the north end there are mooring buoys, $14 a night. And there is plenty of room to anchor (but notice the busy part of the description. We were there in April and there was lots of room. Midsummer, it will be more difficult to find space. holding is good, about 10metres depth over mud.

There are nice walks in the park, and various diversions at the marina, but in the shoulder season not so much going on.

1 x helpful | written on 7. Oct 2025

Peter, S/V Fancy Free says:

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The entrance to sidney spit is through sandy shoals. There is a way in that is over 2metres at chart datum, but it is complicated. Once in, there is an anchoring area and mooring buoys which you are not supposed to use if the wind is over 35kn. We tied to one with a 25kn wind blowing. The island is low and sandy and offers little protection from the wind, but the holding is good in sand. Picking up a mooring buoy in 25kn and waves is lots of fun.

The island is a nature preserve, and is closed in the winter, opening in April. There is a park ranger here, so that closure is enforced. And of course the ranger provides guidance on the various trails and the wildlife on the island.

1 x helpful | written on 7. Oct 2025

Peter, S/V Fancy Free says:

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This is a big, roomy marina that is easy to manoeuvre in. It is well protected from the wind, and has several restaurants. there is developed path along the coast going south, and the town of Sidney is right there.

A posh marina with prices to match.

1 x helpful | written on 7. Oct 2025

Peter, S/V Fancy Free says:

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This bay is full of private mooring buoys. It is difficult to anchor as anywhere without mooring buoys is deep, at least 17 metres, and there isn't room to swing.

1 x helpful | written on 7. Oct 2025

Peter, S/V Fancy Free says:

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This is a tiny bay. There are 12 stern tie chains mounted on the shore, but there isn't room for 12 boats. We were here alone in the early season and anchored and tied fore and aft. It was windy and the bow line chafed almost cutting the line.

On the other hand, Jedidiah island is well worth a visit.

1 x helpful | written on 7. Oct 2025

Peter, S/V Fancy Free says:

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This marina is in a very protected bay. The marina itself is in great condition. Reservations are required, use dockwa.com.

Little store at the head of the ramp sells some provisions and ice-cream. There is a beach right next to the marina, and a swimming pool to entertain younger crew members. There is a barbeque deck for older crew members, a restaurant just across the road, and another a ten minute walk away.

1 x helpful | written on 7. Oct 2025

Peter, S/V Fancy Free says:

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Doe Bay is fairly well protected by the surrounding islands, but the bay itself is open. Anchoring is easy in 6 to 12 metres of water over sand: good holding.

Dow Bay Resort is a funky retreat place. It has a couple of private mooring buoys that you can use with a reservation. The resort has a cafe open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and a small store.

1 x helpful | written on 7. Oct 2025

Peter, S/V Fancy Free says:

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Echo Bay is open to the ESE, so if the wind is blowing from the SE, as it does, it will be bumpy. There are a fair number of mooring buoys available (which are fun to pick up in a strong SE wind). There's also a lot of anchoring room, over mud in 7 to 25 metres of water.

Sucia Island is wooded, with trails, good for exercising dogs and children.

1 x helpful | written on 7. Oct 2025

Peter, S/V Fancy Free says:

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Blaine Harbor is on the east side as you come round the point towards Drayton Harbor. Stay outside the red marks to avoid the mud banks outside the spit.

The harbour itself has a narrow entrance, and the current past the entrance as Drayton Harbor fills or empties can be up to 2kn.

This a a working harbour. The first set of docks is for fishing boats. The west side of the second dock is for private moorings, as is all of the third pier. Visitor mooring is along the east side of the second pier. There is a shoal along the south harbour wall close to where you turn for the visitor mooring. It is very well marked and not a threat.

The facilities are good. There is a mobile pump out you can take right to your boat (free), and just outside the marina is a park and a fish and chip restaurant.

1 x helpful | written on 7. Oct 2025

Peter, S/V Fancy Free says:

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Gorge Harbour is an almost perfect natural Harbour, the sort of place you might expect to see on a map of Atlantis. The entrance is through a fairly narrow rock canyon with no hazards except for a well charted rock on the starboard side near the inside as you come in. Once inside a big bay opens. There is some fish farms, but we'll away from the marina

It is possible to anchor, but there are a lot of resident boats.

The marina is in the north west corner. It styles itself as a resort, which is reasonable. The grounds are a garden, the facilities clean and well maintained. There is a swimming pool. There was a restaurant until a few years ago whe. It burned down. There us new a food truck, and plans to rebuild.

Not the cheapest marina in the area, but a place not to be missed.

1 x helpful | written on 8. Oct 2025

Peter, S/V Fancy Free says:

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Tender bay is in an area of spectacular mountains. The bay itself has rocky cliffs and easier shores where you can go ashore. There is a walking trail that follows the creek up to Unwin Lake.

Most of the bay is deep except for a couple of little bays like this one. This is a popular area and there is not room to anchor. If you are anchoring in 15 metres of water with a 5 metre tide you need a lot of swing room. Instead, anchor and stern tie to one of the many anchor bolts along the east and south sides of the bay. The north side shoals. These are marked with bright yellow reflective marks.

If you find yourself using one of the most westerly rings you will be anchoring in 30 metres. To and to the normal fun of stern tying, there is a clockwise current in this bay at up to 1kn. Not much, but sufficient to add to the entertainment value of stern tying. Entertaining for people watching.

1 x helpful | written on 8. Oct 2025 | updated_on 8. Oct 2025