Cruise #1 - Going to Sechelt Inlet
Sechelt Inlet is one of those sort of hidden great spots on the coast. In fact, I hesitate to give this guide for fear that it will encourage too many to come in. One of its charms is the lack of traffic and habitation making it a special experience.
STEP 1 - Getting There
I will leave it to others to describe getting into the general area and pick up this guide with you coming from the southeast and getting near the Pender Harbour area. Further down I cover the approach from the Northwest heading down Georgia Strait.
If you need supplies, Pender Harbour has many stores and shops and at better prices then the next opportunity you have. There are docks which take casual cruisers and the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club has an elaborate and pleasant out station for members only. You may also anchor in the harbour at several protected spots but it is not one of my favorites due to the traffic and congestion.
I will leave it to others to describe getting into the general area and pick up this guide with you coming from the southeast and getting near the Pender Harbour area. Further down I cover the approach from the Northwest heading down Georgia Strait.
If you need supplies, Pender Harbour has many stores and shops and at better prices then the next opportunity you have. There are docks which take casual cruisers and the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club has an elaborate and pleasant out station for members only. You may also anchor in the harbour at several protected spots but it is not one of my favorites due to the traffic and congestion.
Anchored at Sunset
Here you can start following my guide.
After re-provisioning, leave Pender and almost immediately outside the harbour turn right and start up Agamemnon Channel. If you are motoring, less than 30 minutes up is Green Bay, a protected and delightful little anchorage. It is easy to miss, however. Keep to the left side of the channel (southwest) and soon you will pass under the first set of powerlines crossing over. Carry on on that side right into the corner formed by the protruding point and you will see the entrance to the bay.
Once in the bay the water depth runs from about 35 feet to 15 feet. Straight ahead as you enter is a small nook which is sheltered but dark. Carry on in to the left and after passing a bluff you will enter a small bay with shallow water to anchor. A brook cascades down under the shrubs to the left. CAUTION: do not try and proceed deeper into the bay to the north. There is a reef running almost right across. Take your dingy if you want to go to the head of the bay. Spend a pleasant day relaxing or a quiet night or carry on after lunch.Next, carry on up Agamemnon Channel. You are now heading for Egmont and the entrance to the Sechelt Rapids. By motor allow one hour.
After re-provisioning, leave Pender and almost immediately outside the harbour turn right and start up Agamemnon Channel. If you are motoring, less than 30 minutes up is Green Bay, a protected and delightful little anchorage. It is easy to miss, however. Keep to the left side of the channel (southwest) and soon you will pass under the first set of powerlines crossing over. Carry on on that side right into the corner formed by the protruding point and you will see the entrance to the bay.
Once in the bay the water depth runs from about 35 feet to 15 feet. Straight ahead as you enter is a small nook which is sheltered but dark. Carry on in to the left and after passing a bluff you will enter a small bay with shallow water to anchor. A brook cascades down under the shrubs to the left. CAUTION: do not try and proceed deeper into the bay to the north. There is a reef running almost right across. Take your dingy if you want to go to the head of the bay. Spend a pleasant day relaxing or a quiet night or carry on after lunch.Next, carry on up Agamemnon Channel. You are now heading for Egmont and the entrance to the Sechelt Rapids. By motor allow one hour.
After passing the second powerlines you will come to a widening which is where the BC Ferry from Earl's Cove to Saltry Bay starts. Ferries are infrequent but watch out for them. Stay on the right (east) side of the passage and round the next point heading to the right or now southeast.
If you started to head for Sechelt from the northwest, coming down Georgia Strait, it is fairly straightforward. Turn northeast out of the Strait and go up into Jarvis Inlet. This is a wide unencumbered straight in whch you can often find good sailing as the winds vary from outflow to inflow. If you feel like stopping several choices present themselves. All along the north shore of Hardy Island are shallow spots suitable for anchoring but the best ones are where you tuck in behind the small island and the reefs in the "bite" about 1/3 of the way along. Also in the shallows just before the narrow passage into Blind Bay. While the Egmont-Saltery Bay ferry runs into Saltry Bay across the strait, it is far enough away and infrequent enough to pose no problem.
For more settled anchoring overnght careful navigation can take you through the narrow north entrance into Blind Bay. There are afew rocks in the passage but by going slow and staying over to the left these are easily passed safely. Once in the bay there are almost unlimited anchoring places amongst the tiny bays and among the small islands. It is one of the favorite anchorages on the coast for those who exercise care around rocks.
Fom Hardy onward there are few stopping places and Vanguard Bay which appears as a possible is sometimes rough plus finding shallows that are protected means going very close to shore.There are some sneaky spots further along Nelson if you watch for the shoals sticking out from the land.
Carry on through Agnew Passage between Nelson Island and Captain Island keeping a watch to stay clear of the ferry. You come out in the area where Agamemono Channel, Jarvis and Skookumchuck Narrows converge.
Alternate Cruise. See the Hotham Sound Cruising notes of mine further on in the website. You can cover this area now, later after you come out of Sechelt Inlet, after or before going to Princess Louisa Inlet.
Now you are ready to organize for going through the Rapids. On your left you will see the Sutton Islands which are not much good for anything except looking at. Coming up on your right is the BackEddy Marina distinctive by the docks and the bar/restaurant on the hill. Use caution when approaching the dock. The current can run 6 knots here and carry you away from the dock before you get a line attached. Be prepared and test the current first. If you are stopping, get fuel. There is no fuel in Sechelt Inlet except by jerry cans from the service station a mile from any dock. The BackEddy has groceries, a good bar and pretty good food. You can waste a great hour or two sitting on the deck of the bar. BUT now is the time to review again your current tables so that you go through the rapids at the right time. Remember if it is summer then correct the tables from their standard time to daylight saving time. Add an hour onto the tables for the right time.
Assuming you have it all worked out, it is about 15 minutes from the BackEddy to the start of the rapids. There is one more stop possible - the Egmont Marina in Egmont Bay. They have groceries and fuel. Use care entering the fuel dock. Many a boat has gone the wrong side of the mark and hit the big rock in the middle of the small bay. If you dock there, you can walk up the road to a path which after about a 40 minute walk takes you into a view point over the rapids, a real tourist attraction when a large tide is running. It's little Niagara Falls and spectacular. A good way to kill time if you have to wait for slack.
Now that you have come this far there are no anchorages until after the Rapids unless you go back the way you came. Either stay at the dock or sure of you timing, go through to beautiful Sechelt Inlet.
If you started to head for Sechelt from the northwest, coming down Georgia Strait, it is fairly straightforward. Turn northeast out of the Strait and go up into Jarvis Inlet. This is a wide unencumbered straight in whch you can often find good sailing as the winds vary from outflow to inflow. If you feel like stopping several choices present themselves. All along the north shore of Hardy Island are shallow spots suitable for anchoring but the best ones are where you tuck in behind the small island and the reefs in the "bite" about 1/3 of the way along. Also in the shallows just before the narrow passage into Blind Bay. While the Egmont-Saltery Bay ferry runs into Saltry Bay across the strait, it is far enough away and infrequent enough to pose no problem.
For more settled anchoring overnght careful navigation can take you through the narrow north entrance into Blind Bay. There are afew rocks in the passage but by going slow and staying over to the left these are easily passed safely. Once in the bay there are almost unlimited anchoring places amongst the tiny bays and among the small islands. It is one of the favorite anchorages on the coast for those who exercise care around rocks.
Fom Hardy onward there are few stopping places and Vanguard Bay which appears as a possible is sometimes rough plus finding shallows that are protected means going very close to shore.There are some sneaky spots further along Nelson if you watch for the shoals sticking out from the land.
Carry on through Agnew Passage between Nelson Island and Captain Island keeping a watch to stay clear of the ferry. You come out in the area where Agamemono Channel, Jarvis and Skookumchuck Narrows converge.
Alternate Cruise. See the Hotham Sound Cruising notes of mine further on in the website. You can cover this area now, later after you come out of Sechelt Inlet, after or before going to Princess Louisa Inlet.
Now you are ready to organize for going through the Rapids. On your left you will see the Sutton Islands which are not much good for anything except looking at. Coming up on your right is the BackEddy Marina distinctive by the docks and the bar/restaurant on the hill. Use caution when approaching the dock. The current can run 6 knots here and carry you away from the dock before you get a line attached. Be prepared and test the current first. If you are stopping, get fuel. There is no fuel in Sechelt Inlet except by jerry cans from the service station a mile from any dock. The BackEddy has groceries, a good bar and pretty good food. You can waste a great hour or two sitting on the deck of the bar. BUT now is the time to review again your current tables so that you go through the rapids at the right time. Remember if it is summer then correct the tables from their standard time to daylight saving time. Add an hour onto the tables for the right time.
Assuming you have it all worked out, it is about 15 minutes from the BackEddy to the start of the rapids. There is one more stop possible - the Egmont Marina in Egmont Bay. They have groceries and fuel. Use care entering the fuel dock. Many a boat has gone the wrong side of the mark and hit the big rock in the middle of the small bay. If you dock there, you can walk up the road to a path which after about a 40 minute walk takes you into a view point over the rapids, a real tourist attraction when a large tide is running. It's little Niagara Falls and spectacular. A good way to kill time if you have to wait for slack.
Now that you have come this far there are no anchorages until after the Rapids unless you go back the way you came. Either stay at the dock or sure of you timing, go through to beautiful Sechelt Inlet.
Click pictures to see large
Click pictures to see large