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Cruising San Juans and BC islands?
Questions mostly for Chuck and the Washington crowd. Planning a trip up to
Vancouver Island in the Spring or Summer of 2007 and figure on taking the
boat to a few of the islands and staying in B&B's etc before going to
Vancouver Island and the West Shore for some fishing. I know there is a
book for the San Juans but what about the islands off Vancouver Island?
Cortes, etc. |
Calif
Aug 22
2006
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| If you're going to B&B it in the area, check out Hastings House at
Ganges.
I'll bet the rooms are pricey, but the also pricey restaurant is
*fabulous* (!), and one of the few truly formal 5-star dining
experiences to be found in the area. If you scored points for high tea
at the Empress, you'll score a few more for dinner and a room (or even
just dinner) at Hastings House. It's a very short walk to the hotel and
restaurant from the two main marinas. If you arrange your schedule so that you're in Ganges on
Saturday....(and you *will* want to spend a day or so in Ganges to get
a complete Gulf Islands experience)...there's a Saturday market that is
very worthwhile. My wife loves Ganges, thrives on the Saturday market,
and we have a new hand-knitted wool throw rug in the galley this year
to prove it. If you get a chance, haul your trailer over to Lund on the mainland and
launch there to explore Desolation Sound......(allow several days to
see Desolation Sound). But most people without unlimited amounts of
time won't try to cram the San Juans, the Gulf Islands, and Desolation
Sound into the same trip. That's like one of those excurisions that
take you to "Five European Countries in Seven Days!".....no thanks,
(IMO) |
Chuck
Aug 22
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| If you are trailering, Barkley Sound, the Broken Islands (and Ucluelet) is a
very easy trip from Port Alberni, down the Alberni Inlet. There is trailer
parking available in Port ALberni and a good launch. Have done that a few
times--before I got a bigger boat :). Regards, Dan |
Danlw
Aug 22
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| Rooms are $500+ night, but includes tea and breakfast. 'Wake-up Hamper, Farm Fresh Breakfast and Afternoon Tea are included for
single or double occupancy, with additional persons at $85 each per day.
These rates are in CANADIAN funds, and are subject to applicable taxes.
Gratuities are at your discretion.
An A la Carte menu and also a 6 course chef's Menu at $125.00 are now
offered' I think I will go for the dinner, not the room.
http://www.hastingshouse.com/html/2006_tariffs.html Desolation Sound sounds good. Isn't that where Lloyd and is blow up vinyl
xxx visit? Figure maybe 3 weeks for the trip. We have done 4 European
countries in 3 weeks one time. But have also done Italy in a month. and 2
countries in a month. |
Calif
Aug 23
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| The Canadian islands in the common archipelago just off the SE coast of
Vancouver Island are called the Gulf Islands. The US Islands in the
same chain are the San Juans. Some of the best recreational cruising waters in the world, but
"Shhhhh!", don't let the secret out. The best fishing and the fewest crowds are probably found on the West
Side of Vancouver Island, but you will also encounter some of the
roughest water over there. (Lots of sport fishing activity out of the
Port of Ucluelet). If you want a good general guidebook for both the San Juans and the
Gulf Islands, I'd recommend Wagonners Cruising Guide. Another
interesting book, particularly for trailer boaters, is "Day by Day to
Alaska" by Dale Peterson. Plan on spending a *lot* of time in the area, and still leaving with
many of the major highlights unseen and unexplored. Bring your rain
gear regardless of when you're visiting, but plan on actually wearing
it a lot unless you're here from mid-July to mid-August. Especially on
the W Coast of Vancouver Island. (The Gulf Islands enjoy a bit of the
"rain shadow" effect from the mountain ranges on Vancouver Island, so
they experience maybe as many cloudy but a fewer actually rainy days
than the W coast of the island). Warning: Cruising up here can be habit forming. A lot of people who
haven't been here just don't "get it", but after spending some time in
our soggy paradise they find they can't "forget" it. :-) |
Chuck
Aug 22
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| Been to Victoria a few times. Was just there a couple of months ago when we
started our drive to Alaska. High Tea at the Empress. Score big points
with the wife for that. We took the Ferry to Prince Rupert about 1970 and
have fished Campbell River. Figured I would take the boat up 21' with full
canvas and cruise the San Juans and Gulf islands staying at hotels and B&B's
for a week or two and then over to Ucluelet or up to the North end of the
Island. Nootka Sound and Kyuquot Sound. |
Calif
Aug 22
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