sailboat race around vancouver island

News & Updates

Van isle 360 international yacht race information meeting – friday october 11 at the seattle yacht club from 1830 to 2030 hours., bc sailing – safety at sea opsc and cpsc classes for fall 2024 to spring 2025, 2025 van isle 360 notice of race now available, preliminary race schedule is now available for planning purposes, host communities.

More information on our host ports and communities coming soon.

• Campbell River
• Sayward/Port Neville
• Telegraph Cove
• Winter Harbour
• Royal Victoria Yacht Club

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Race dates & schedule.

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Road crew information.

An all inclusive Planning Guide, focused on the drive from port to port is now available. Click on Learn More to be taken to the guide.

TIME TO RACE START

May 31 – June 14, 2025

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A LITTLE BIT

About Us…

Jeff & Sylvia have organized the Van Isle 360 race for a decade and a half. The 2025 race will be the 14th edition.

After the 13th edition, we announced that the race was for sale. While we have had significant interest and several serious discussions, we find ourselves continuing at the helm.

Since we named the 13th edition “The Last Round”, we have chosen the theme for the 14th edition to be “The Phoenix Edition”. The rationale is twofold, first, it doesn’t appear we should use “The Final Round” quite yet, and second, the trusty Race Committee Sprinter Van has risen from the electrical fire ashes just before the 2023 race. We expect her to be road ready to lead the Roadies around the island in 2025.

And yes, the picture of us remains unchanged. Photo was taken at Robson Bight, just east of Telegraph Cove, during Leg 4 of the race. Great photo of Nova!

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Van Isle 360 International Yacht Race returns to Nanaimo waters

NANAIMO — Boats big and small are readying to circumnavigate Vancouver Island.

The Van Isle 360 International Yacht Race sees dozens of vessels sail around Vancouver Island, and begins in Nanaimo on Saturday, June 3 with boats arriving as early as Wednesday, May 31 at the W.E. Mills Landing and Marina, off Cameron Island.

Sylvia Motley owns the race with her husband Jeff, she told NanaimoNewsNOW 39 boats, roughly 325 sailors and around 50 support crew will make the trek around the Island over the next two weeks.

“[The boats] going to range from 24 feet up to 52 feet. Most of the races this year are American, 60 per cent of our fleet are American. They’re very keen on this race…so many anchorages, so much wild beauty around the Island which they just really don’t have once you get south of Seattle.”

Start times on Saturday morning will be at 10:20 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 10:40 a.m. as the boats navigate around busy Harbour waters with BC Ferries and seaplanes, along with personal watercraft.

Motley said the start is always a little chaotic with the best viewing along the seawall by the pier.

“The start is always fun, it’s very small and between satellite reef and the pier. There will be a lot of yelling and screaming and hopefully quite a bit of wind so we get out of the harbour quickly.”

After starting in Nanaimo, boats will turn north for the first of nine races around the Island, making stops along the way.

Most races are short day trips, however, boats will go overnight against the clock and each other down the Island’s west coast.

While boats are split into four divisions, they’re all competing for top prize through a unique ranking, the Ocean Racing Council system, which evens the field.

“It’s a very accurate form of handicapping the boats in that it takes into account weights of the boats, measurements, how tall their mast is, how big their sails are,” Motley said. “This makes the competitors very, very close because these ratings are so accurate.”

Usually held at the end of May or the start of June, timing of the race is built around one critical junction point.

“The race is totally dependent timing-wise on the tides through Seymour Narrows [between Vancouver Island and Quadra Island, north of Campbell River]. It’s the only place the boats will motor to get through the narrows and the whole race is based when we can get through at a half decent time.”

Boats will begin arriving back in Nanaimo in the evening or overnight hours of Friday, June 16 into Saturday, June 17 with an awards banquet to follow Saturday night.

It’s the first time in four years the bi-annual event has run, after being cancelled in 2021.

The races are supported by crews from the Royal Canadian Navy and the Canadian Coast Guard.

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Van Isle 360: A Distance Race with a Social Program

Most would assume that the adventure is over, but in this race solving problems is part of the strategy. Using nothing more than a sharp file and a hammer, the forestay is fitted back into the mast. We arrive at the next stop as the sun sets to the applause of our competition and continue around Vancouver Island. And this was only day four of the two-week race.

The Van Isle 360 stands out from any race I’ve ever taken part. Stopping everywhere from the bustling tourist city of Victoria to the remote village of Winter Harbour, with its year-round population of ten, this race covers the complete spectrum of what sailing in the Pacific Northwest offers. Especially challenging is that the only spare parts allowed are what you bring aboard or deliver via chartered airplane. The old saying, “If it was easy, then everyone would do it” rings true as the marathon leg race not only requires a crew of seasoned sailors, but also resourceful boat builders and clever mechanics to keep the fleet moving for 14 days straight.

Race director and owner of Blast Performance Sailing, Jeff Motley, sums it up perfectly, “What makes Van Isle unique is the fact that it is 580 nautical miles but there are a few stops along the way. It’s not like Transpac or Vic Maui, where you lose track of your competition for two weeks. Every night everyone gets back together again to trade stories and ask about each other’s adventures.” Asking someone why they would want to sail a boat around Vancouver Island, let alone race it, results in a wide range of answers. Some are there for the competition, while others are looking for a challenge, but everyone comes ready for an adventure.

The race was the brain child of Wayne Gorey and Tim Knight, who in 1999 proposed a race around Vancouver Island, partly for the competition, but mostly to see if it could be done. No one knew if a scheduled multi-stage event was even possible, with the shifting winds, currents through the Inside Passage, and the potentially deadly offshore conditions on the island’s outside edge, not to mention the logistical challenge of a new town every night. Understandably, before 1990 such a race had never been attempted. The first race was held and nicknamed the “Ambassador Race” and was made possible by generous sponsorship from local British Columbia businesses. Hence this traveling circus of a yacht race was created and became an instant success. The following two races were held back-to-back in 2000 and 2001. But after three years on the trot, many involved wondered if perhaps a biannual format was more appropriate going forward.

Blast Performance Sailing stepped in to run the now biannual race in 2003. The initial changes saw a shift away from the large corporate sponsors and a migration towards a participant-supported event. This transition made it possible for the race to be self-supporting and consequently enabled race organizers and participants to plan without fear of needing sponsorships to take on this race’s challenges. Jeff Motley recognizes the commitment required from skippers and crew members to participate. “Especially the young guys. They are giving up all of their vacation to come do this, and you want to make sure when they come that the event itself is fun,” says Motley.

Now nearly 20 years old, Van Isle, as it has become known, has remained the pinnacle for many Northwest sailors’ bucket lists. At its core, the race takes part over two weeks every odd year, leaving from Nanaimo and sailing counterclockwise around Vancouver Island. Perhaps the most alluring part of this race is the opportunity to stop at all the communities around the island that even the most seasoned cruiser would not discover. The stops have shifted around over the years based on interest of the communities as well as for the benefit of the racing. This year’s 2017 race took place over nine legs with the shortest being just over 24 nautical miles through Discovery Passage, and the longest haul, a grueling 140 offshore miles.

The start and end of the race takes place in the city of Nanaimo. Nestled in a bay directly west of the city of Vancouver, Nanaimo is a prime location to begin any northern yachting trip. It’s convenient with daily direct flights from Seattle and Vancouver in addition to Tsawwassen ferry access. From here, boats undergo safety inspections and skippers meet to get everyone accounted for and ready to start racing. After the starting gun, the fleet heads south around the harbor entrance and then north into the Strait of Georgia. They pass Texada Island and face the tough decision on whether to go inside or outside Ballenas as they work towards Comox.

Traditionally the second stop along the route, Comox has now taken center stage as the destination of the first leg. Being the first stop, not many yet long for the comforts of home, but with great local restaurants and watering holes, it is a fine place to set the stage for the weeks to come. The next morning the departing fleet crosses the sometimes-treacherous sandbar that protects the marina and continues north towards Campbell River.

Located at the entrance to Queen Charlotte Strait, the traditional fishing village has grown into a full-on destination for anyone traveling north. The town’s success is in no small part to Seymour Narrows, located a few miles north of the marina and home to some of the most aggressive currents in the world, over 16 knots at some points. Everything from small pleasure boats to commercial vessels wait for the currents to change to make their way through the passage. The tough decision for the fleet is either heading through the Narrows from Browns Bay or waking up before the sun to make their way through the Narrows during the tide change.

The race to Hardwicke Island feels more like sailing the Columbia Gorge than the Northwest Passage. With the shoreline little more than half-mile wide at parts, and ripping currents pushing along at five knots, this leg will always have a special place in my memory as one of the best days of upwind sailing I’ve experienced.

Perhaps the most unconventional stop on the course is Hardwicke Island, for this stop puts sailors on an overnight campout, rafted off an anchored fish farm. A full BBQ is hosted on the farm, and there are plenty of knowledgeable staff on site to answer questions and teach sailors about the science of fish farming. This is always a great opportunity for crews to spend time hanging around the boats without running off to dinner or to check into hotels. This most recent race saw several collisions on the leg to the fish farm, so it was a mad scramble as crews tried to make repairs using only what was available to them on board. In most cases, they had nothing! The next day’s race continues through the narrow channels of Queen Charlotte Straits and into the gorgeous storm hole of Telegraph Cove.

Telegraph Cove feels familiar to anyone who has sailed to Roche Harbor in the San Juan Islands, for it parallels the same small town feel. Quaint cottages line the shore and the one bar in town is constantly bustling with sailors during the stopover. The difference lies in the ever-present wildlife such as the endless warnings of bears ransacking garbage cans, and the orca pods that can be seen passing by. The whale museum is not to be missed, and the small coffee stand at the head of the dock has some of the best breakfast burritos I have found north of Victoria. After a full 24-hour lay day, the fleet heads out on a short jaunt through the islands and into Johnstone Straits to the top of the island and with a stop at Port Hardy.

Originally established as a trading outpost by the Hudson Bay Company, Port Hardy plays host to the last stop along the inside of Vancouver Island. The town sits at the literal end of the road and is home to a very active First Nations community as well the Canadian Coast Guard station that looks after the racing fleet as they head over the top of the island. This stop is normally a changing of the guard as many crew members swap out and take advantage of the direct flight from Vancouver International Airport. After the new crew settles in, it’s off to Winter Harbour.

One of the most remote harbors in the world, Winter Harbour boasts a safe harbor, one payphone, and 10 year-round residents eager to make racers feel at home. Located deep in a natural harbor just south of the northwest point of Cape Scott, the small fishing community was once home to hundreds of commercial fishermen. As salmon populations declined in the area, the fishing opportunities moved north, taking much of the town with them.

The race brings a wave of fresh faces into the small enclave, and with miles of hiking trails and beaches to explore, it is a worthy stop along the race route. The town comes together and hosts a terrific BBQ during a lay day as boats and crews recover from the trip over the top of the island and prepare for the 140-nautical-mile, offshore leg to Ucluelet.

After the longest leg of the race, Ucluelet is a highlight of the trip, mostly because it signals the end of what can be a brutal few days of offshore sailing. Located at the mouth of Barkley Sound, it is a welcome sight complete with a very well-equipped chandlery and plenty of dock space for crews to empty out boats and dry out interiors. A highlight of this stopover is the community’s involvement, for the town hosts a salmon BBQ at the newly finished community center and invites local grade school children to come down and tour the boats. After leaving “Ukee” the fleet heads towards the bustling metropolis of Victoria, coming in through the Strait of Juan de Fuca on what has become affectionately known as the “One Way Swiftsure.” While the first 20 nautical miles are open ocean, the finish of the race follows the traditional course used for decades, allowing many Northwest racing veterans to put old-school, local knowledge to use.

Well known to racers, Victoria marks the end of the ocean legs and a warm welcome back to the city. It is a bit of a culture shock to come right into the Inner Harbor and be thrown among the cruise ship crowd and hordes of people walking the docks. Official festivities are held at the Royal Victoria Yacht Club with the traditional awards and a fantastic dinner held on the lawn of the club. The final leg of the race is a roll of the dice, as the course is an open race from Victoria back to where it all began in Nanaimo. The route takes the fleet through the Gulf Islands whatever way they choose, making for some heart pounding, close-quarters racing as well as some regretful tactical decisions if you lose sight of competition only to see them emerge around the next island clear ahead. Coming into the finish, racers are filled with an awkward combination of comfort, relief, and dread as the adventure comes to an end and the realities of real life begin to flood in.

Understanding that the event is as much a logistical challenge as a tactical one, Blast Performance Sailing together with seasoned Van Isle veterans are compiling The Roadies Road Book. This guide will contain the information you will need to take on the Van Isle 360 with your own boat. The road crew logistics are where seasoned teams seem to have it dialed in: the roadies wake up with the racers, pack the house or hotel, find everyone’s things they couldn’t be bothered to keep track of, and much more, all before breakfast. This guide is written in the spirit of the race, for veterans want nothing more than for everyone to have the opportunity.

“That’s what the race is about. You try to describe to people that if you come and do this race, you’re going to become part of a close-knit group. If you’ve done Van Isle, you mention it and people come out of the woodwork to help you out. It’s that type of race. On the start line there is lot of tactical maneuvering, but back on land it’s all hands-on deck to help get things fixed,” says Motley. The community style of racing sets this adventure apart from the all-out grand prix battling of yacht racing. The 2017 event had boats rebuilding transmissions, repairing broken bow pulpits, and creating makeshift man-overboard poles using spare battens and crab pot floats. When someone needed something, the entire fleet pooled together to keep the show moving forward and everyone safe and able to race hard. Typical camaraderie for Van Isle.

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Doug Hansen

Doug Hansen is a Seattle native and grew up cruising and racing in the Northwest. After spending several years taking care of boats and competing in regattas throughout North America and Europe, he has returned to Seattle to complete a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He is an active participant in the Seattle racing community and enjoys sailing on all types of boats.

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Sailors circumnavigate Vancouver Island in Van Isle 360 International Yacht Race

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Thirty-eight vessels have set out to circumnavigate Vancouver Island as part of the Van Isle 360 International Yacht Race.

The boats, including a handful of sailboats that recently completed Swiftsure, set out Saturday from Nanaimo for the two-week, 1,150-kilometre journey around the Island — the first since 2019, due to COVID.

This will be the 13th edition of the biennial competition, which alternates each year with the Vic-Maui yacht race.

Organizers Jeff and Sylvia Motley of Chemainus were avid sailors when they took over the Van Isle 360, but now put all their energy into making sure the event runs well.

“What goes on in the water is the simple part,” Jeff Motley said. “It’s the logistics on the land that are hard.”

That’s because the boats stop at eight designated ports as they make their way around the Island, he said, giving the hard-working crews time for some fun ashore after a day on the water.

“Every day they get out there and go as fast as they possibly can from one place to the next,” Motley said.

After their days on the water, the sailors will spend time in Comox, Campbell River, Sayward, Telegraph Cove, Port Hardy, Winter Harbour, Ucluelet and Victoria before finishing in Nanaimo on June 17.

Crew members on the boats plus helpers following on land adds up to about 350 people converging at each community along the way, Motley said.

Motley said the mix of the onshore and offshore experience is a big attraction for competitors. “Some people have referred to it as adult Disneyland.”

This year’s field is about 60 per cent Americans and 40 per cent Canadians, and includes Victoria-based skippers Suze Cumming, Ellery Down, Ben Sproule and Colin Nichols.

The boats will stop at the Royal Victoria Yacht Club once they get past the open ocean on the Island’s west coast, with a barbecue planned for June 15, Motley said.

The following day will see an 11 a.m. start off Clover Point for the final push to Nanaimo.

It could be a spectacular sight, he said, because the racers get going downwind, which means colourful spinnaker sails.

For more on the race and the full list of competitors, go to vanisle360.com .

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Van Isle 360 Yacht Race makes waves

More than 40 boats are now racing around Vancouver Island in a marathon that's more a test of skill and nerves than a pleasure cruise. In the Van Isle 360 International Yacht Race's ninth edition, close to 400 racers are currently sailing around the island, covering 729 kilometres, in 10 legs, spread over 14 days.

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More than 40 boats are now racing around Vancouver Island in a marathon that’s more a test of skill and nerves than a pleasure cruise.

In the Van Isle 360 International Yacht Race’s ninth edition, close to 400 racers are currently sailing around the island, covering 729 kilometres, in 10 legs, spread over 14 days.

Starting in Nanaimo, the first half of the race takes sailors up the inside of the island through some of the world’s most beautiful cruising grounds, sailing through Desolation Sound and up through Johnstone Strait to Port Hardy. The second half takes the boats around infamous Cape Scott at the Northern tip of Vancouver Island into the Pacific Ocean. The distances between ports are much longer on the outside and each leg includes an overnight passage.

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You may ask why would someone want to be on a small sailboat with up to eight other crew, with no showers and sitting on deck in the rain and wind for hours or baking in the sun without shade?

The answers are as varied as the sailors participating in this race: A love of sailing and the ocean, the adventure of visiting stunning places few of us will ever visit, the camaraderie among crew and competitors, are probably common sentiments among participants. The exhilaration when the wind is just right, the sails trimmed perfectly and the boat is accelerating down a wave can hardly be described in words.

So what makes Van Isle 360 so special? It’s the involvement of the communities. At each stop, there is an event: The traditional pancake breakfast at the start in Nanaimo, the salmon feast at Hardwick Island, or the famous barbecue in Telegraph Cove.

The boats on this race range from small coastal cruising boats to high-end racing machines. The crews are just as varied. Some boats are crewed by highly trained, and seasoned racers. While other boats are crewed by less experienced sailors looking for a lifetime adventure.

Aboard Turicum, the majority of the crew are novice racers and we use the VanIsle 360 as a way of training new racers and giving them an opportunity to become part of the VanIsle 360 family and by introducing them to long distance and offshore sailing. For me, racing in the Van Isle 360 for the first time in 2011, was the beginning of an incredible adventure that took me sailing to Hawaii and back during the 2012 Vic-Maui International Yacht Race.

This year’s event is characterized by light winds on the inside legs, making it very challenging for all boats. It’s tough to sit on a boat, trying to tweak the sails to get the maximum out of the little wind there is. During the leg from Deepwater Bay to Hardwick Island, strong, adverse currents added insult to injury. With almost no wind to give the boats steerage, it felt like bumper-car racing. Around us, boats were anchored but spun around on eddy lines, bumping into one another or the crew was avoiding rocks. It was brutal carnage. Amazingly, everybody had a good laugh and there was no yelling or protests.

After a day of relaxing, washing cloths and drying sails and boats, the crews were looking forward to some exiting downwind sailing on Wednesday. Neptune seemed to finally have mercy on the Van Isle family with strong winds predicted from the northwest.

Christof Marti is the owner of Simply Sailing School in Vancouver (simplysailing.ca) and is a director on the Board of BC Sailing. Trained as an engineer and with an MBA in finance, Christof is also a qualified sailing instructor and a certified Yachtmaster. He will be filing reports from B.C.’s coastal waters over the season.

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A Sailboat Race Around Vancouver Island

A sailboat race around vancouver island van isle 360.

The VanIsle360 International Yacht Race is a 14 day, multi-leg race through some of the most complex sailing grounds in the world.  With 15-foot tides, up to 10 knot currents and stormy offshore sailing, this is a proving ground for any crew.   

I’ve had a dream of competing in this race for decades and this year, I raced as skipper in my boat, Reepicheep,  A Sabre 386.   Reepicheep has been my cruising boat and the journey to get her race ready was intense.   A new sail inventory, new rigging, lifelines, bilge pumps, spinnaker rigging, replaced and new halyards, fittings, blocks, electronics – the list goes on.   It took us months to get her ready but ready she was for the start on June 1 st , 2023 in Nanaimo British Columbia.  

The start on that sunny Saturday morning was intense with 40 yachts circling around the Nanaimo harbour among the floatplanes, ferries, barges and recreation boats.  They hold the start in the harbour so that spectators can take in the amazing sight.  One prestigious racing boat ended up aground on the reef just off the starting line and another fouled their prop and needed divers to free it.    A dramatic start.   

The first leg to Denman Island offered up a bit of everything.  Getting out of the harbour was tricky with light air and lots of turbulence from the other boats.    We then enjoyed some medium wind and shifty conditions and finished up with a 25 knots Qualicum breeze with a massive shift to bring us to the finish.

That night was spent in Comox Harbour and a fun night meeting some of our competitors.    

The second leg from just outside the bar in Comox up to Campbell River was super challenging. I’d heard about the 6-knot current coming into Campbell river and having to short tack up the shore but nothing prepared me for this challenge.   We did more than 30 tacks – many not getting us any more upwind.  We had to take Reepicheep in as close as we dared on each tack, or we were guaranteed to not make any way.   The risk is that you lose momentum due to the current and slip backwards during a tack.   This has put many boats up on the rocks and it was a nail-biting time for me. I navigated and Alex drove as only an owner is qualified to make these high-risk decisions.   We finished and the team was exhausted.    

Campbell River was party night and we had a great time celebrating Alex’s birthday. 

We had to leave at the crack of dawn the next day to motor past Seymour narrows at the 6 am slack tide.  The start of Leg 3 was just beyond that in heavy NW wind.  We set our heavy weather jib and had a decent start, but the wind dropped and we had to do a sail change.   This allowed one of our competitors to get to the next shift first and lead the way.     We sailed hard taking advantage of every puff and shift and eventually caught up, but we weren’t able to put enough time on them to win.  A second place finish after winning the first two legs. 

That night was spent on anchor in Port Neville and we enjoyed BBQ Lamb Burgers.   It was a gorgeous night.  The sight of 40 race boats anchored out in the wilderness was super unique.

The Fourth leg was up Johnstone Strait.  Known for its heavy wind and wind against current chop, this leg didn’t disappoint.  It was a ton of work to keep Reepicheep going fast but the team gave 110% and we arrived in Telegraph Cove with another win.   

Telegraph cove is a spectacular little fishing village with much of the history preserved.  It features a whale museum, a pub and some eco tourism businesses.    It was amazing fitting 40 racing yachts in this tiny boat basin and we had a social evening visiting many of the other competitors.  

Leg Five was from just outside Telegraph Cove up to Port Hardy and the race really started to get interesting.  We had a lot of very light wind and lots of strong current.   It was essential to be hunting the wind and catching every breath you could.   At one point we were going backwards at 3.0 knots in the right direction.     The wind filled in for a while before the sea fog hit and the wind died again.   Not being able to see our competitors and hunting out wind with little visibility was tough but at the top of the leg, we came out ahead of not only our fleet but most of the boats racing.   The wind filled nicely for the last few miles but only 12 out of 40 boats were able to finish within the time limit.   

We had a layover in Port Hardy with a chance to re-provision, clean up the boat, sleep in a bed and enjoy this remote little town.    The local community treated us to a wonderful celebration featuring young kids performing a traditional dance and a burger lunch from the legion.   It was a great day.

At this point, the race changes.   The legs get longer and the stops more remote as we leave Port Hardy to head over the top of the Island, over the Nahwitti Bar, around Cape Scott and down the outside to Winter Harbour.   Getting over the bar is super tricky.   There is a ton of current, rough waves and we had very little wind.    Creeping through the current took every ounce of acceleration we could nurse out of Reepicheep but eventually we were free and had a great sail around the point.   We arrived in Winter Harbour in the middle of the night and sleep was a fantastic reward for our efforts.    We enjoyed a lovely day in this super remote hamlet perched on the west coast of the island.  The locals had an incredible BBQ and a warm welcome for us all.

Leg 7 is the longest and in this race and turned out to be the most challenging. With a forecast of 30 knots downwind, we were all a little anxious for the challenges we would face.   The wind built as the day progressed and the wave state was incredible. Bigger waves than any of us had previously experiences with gusts hitting 40 knots.   We sailed a conservative route reducing sail area early.  Many of our competitors waited too long and shredded their sails.  Even with minimum sail area, this was a high-risk leg as the waves were certainly capable of putting a boat over.   Driving was exhausting and I was happy to have three capable drivers on board. We had one terrible knock down caused by a massive wave breaking over the boat.   The force of the wave was devastating, and we were all thrown down.   One crew nearly went overboard but her tether held, and we were able to get her back inside.  We got the boat back under control and while I was attending to my traumatized crew, we had impact with something.  We were 20 miles offshore, so it was likely a whale.  We all know that these impacts can severely damage and even sink a sailboat, so we were immediately monitoring the bilge for water.    No leaks and no obvious damage so it was back to racing.    After nearly 18 hours of extreme sailing, we sailed out of the wind and into a massive hole near the finish line in Ucluelet.   This was very frustrating and took a significant attitude adjustment to get back in the game.  It took us 5 hours to sail that last 7 miles.   I can’t help but see this as an important metaphor for life.   We shifted, we persevered, and we won. 

Ucluelet was a fantastic stop over.  We had the biggest and best breakfast ever, rested, showered, socialized, had a great group event at the recreation centre.  The main road into Ucluelet was closed due to a forest fire so road crews, race organizers and tourists couldn’t get through.  I think the town was happy to have us and they stepped up in a major way to make the stopover work.

Leg 8 from Ucluelet to Victoria was a painful start.  There was still up to 40 knots offshore and no wind inshore and the sea state was terrible.   We sloshed around for hours trying to get to the wind.  It took every bit of focus, patience and skill we had to get ahead and out to the wind in the Juan De Fuca Strait.    Once we did, it was champagne sailing down the strait with the sun setting in the background.  Everyone had a chance to drive this leg and we arrived at the finish line shortly after dark.  Another first.

The festivities were at my home club, the Royal Victoria Yacht Club and it was really an exciting time.  To be leading the regatta and have fellow club members celebrating with us was a real high.  We had a fantastic meal, my nephew Simon helped me collect our flags and it was early to bed.   The final leg mattered and it was the trickiest of the bunch.   If we stayed ahead of our competition, we could win not just our division but overall which would be such an honour.

The 9 th and final leg winds its way through the Gulf Islands with multiple possible ways to go and several tidal gates to time.   Once you choose a route, there is no going back so if you get it wrong, you could lose the race.   It was mostly downwind and we took a risk at the start.  We went inside a small channel that required a spinnaker hoist, douse and re-hoist in around the rocks but it put us and the 5 other boats that went the same way a significant lead right off the bat.     It was great sailing in medium wind and we were continuing to gather information to assessing our options.  Being ahead meant our fleet could split from us at any of the decision-making points.    Mostly they followed us except one boat cut out early and was looking in pretty good shape.    The wind died and it started to look like we wouldn’t make our gate at Porlier Pass.  This could be a significant problem to win overall but somehow, we sneaked through with very little wind and current against us.    We all breathed a huge sigh of relief and thanked the eagle feather that had accompanied us on the entire journey.     The rest of the leg was beautiful until the very end when the wind died to nothing.   Not even a whisper.   It took us an hour to float over the finish line with the light current in Nanaimo harbour.  It took massive patience but eventually the radio lit up – Congratulations Reepicheep, you have finished. 

And then we celebrated.   

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Exciting News: Van Isle 360 is Happening in 2023!

AN EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME – THE VAN ISLE 360

It is so exciting to welcome The Van Isle 360 sailboat race again, in 2023,  to Winter Harbour (the last race was in 2019). Below, please find a post that explains, in great detail , what the Van Isle 360 is all about.

Thank you John Shepard.

“Posted by Waggoner Guest | Oct 31, 2020

For 6 months I consulted with sailors, examined the charts, and recorded the tidal currents in planning for a cruise around Vancouver Island. This is a big island about 600 nautical miles in distance. The waters are filled with challenges that some might call hazards, like Seymour Narrows. When the moon and the sun align, the current through the Narrows can run at 11 Knots.

After all the preplanning for what I considered a 45-60 day cruise – boat maintenance, provisioning, looking at the tidal currents, crew boarding locations, and weather stations, and looking for places to hide out from storms – imagine my shock when a friendly Canadian said, “You Know John, every two years we race around the Island. It is the Van Isle 360∞ in 14 days.

The Van Isle 360∞ is a biennial race held on odd years for sailors willing to meet the challenge of circumnavigating Vancouver Island. Described by the Organizers as “a 580 nm point to point race, it’s a circumnavigation of wild, rugged Vancouver Island.

Sailed in a series of legs, the course provides inshore, offshore, and overnight legs through some of the most stunning and challenging waters on the planet.” Or in simpler terms, it is a staged distance sailing race that will put to the test your sailing skills, seamanship, courage, patience, endurance, and test of relationships. It’s a 14-day experience that few sailors dare to imagine during their lifetime. If this is your year to meet the challenge and have some fun, you will need to get started. It is not a “Hey I hear the club is racing around the cans tonight, let’s get some beer and join in” kind of event.

With boats racing in constantly changing waters off a remote coast with few roads, it is not your typical  spectator race. It will take a committed sailboat groupie to follow the boats along the island’s west coast with limited roads to the various overnight stops. In some places, there are no roads at all, only a ferry that arrives once a week. Changing crew and meet-and-greet options can be had in towns along the Strait of Georgia like Nanaimo, Comox, and Campbell River, where racers stop for the night and sip a local brew over discussions of the day’s adventure. The north end of the island at Port Hardy is where racers make preparations before “Turning the Corner.”

Rounding Cape Scott, the racers venture down the wild side of Vancouver Island. Surviving the turn, racers make a stop at Winter Harbor to take a breather or repair damaged gear and prepare for the next leg. The 140 nautical miles of open ocean dash to Ucluelet is the challenge of endurance. At the start of this leg is Brooks Peninsula, called the “Cape of Storms” by Captain Cook. Unlike most of Canada, Brooks Peninsula escaped the last Ice Age.

It is an area where many rare plants exist. This is the traditional area of the Kyuquot/Cheklesshht and Quatsino First Nations, who never ceded their lands. Jutting 12 miles (20 km) out into the ocean, Brooks Peninsula is a formidable hazard to be managed. Sailors are challenged not only by the rocky lee shore, but the wind and water that conspire against the unprepared. Solander Island, standing 1.03 miles (1.66 km) off the northwest corner of Brooks, serves as a sentinel to sailors. A lighthouse and weather station provide the attentive mariner with weather conditions, often indicating winds from 10-20 knots to hurricane force gusts, and sea states from calm to 4 plus meters in a few hours.

Surviving Cape Scott, Brooks Peninsula, and the open ocean with a safe arrival at Ucluelet, a weary sailor might feel “we are almost home.” The 98 nm run to Victoria with following seas and the wind at your back, might foster thoughts of a cake walk home, but only for the uninitiated. This leg takes sailors around the southwest tip of the island and into the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Winds and currents can play with sailboats like they are toys, tossing them about when wind and currents collide. Beaten and battered, the boats arrive in Victoria to be hosted by the Royal Victoria Yacht Club, the oldest yacht club in western Canada.

The last leg takes racers back to protected waters on the east side of Vancouver Island. It is 60 nm to the finish line in Nanaimo, the route chosen by the Skipper and Navigator can mean the difference between first and last place. Do you go direct up through the Gulf Islands riding tidal currents, dodging boat traffic, and praying the winds will remain strong? Or do you choose the longer outside path up the Strait of Georgia where wind and waves may help or hinder your advance to the finish?

The Van Isle 360 is not only a race, it’s an adventure. The 2021 race is scheduled for Saturday, May 29th to Saturday, June 12 th . Yes, this conflicts with other races, but it’s the tide and currents that dictate the race days, not the race committee. To qualify for the Van Isle 360 race, Captain and Watch Crew need to have completed two overnight open-ocean qualifying races in order to register for this special event. So why consider participating in this event or sailing around the island? Because this is the chance to demonstrate you have what it takes to sail on the waters that are the Pacific Northwest. To explore the communities along the Inside Passage, with all the stunning views and narrow passages that cut through forested mountains running to meet the water’s edge. To watch whales swoosh and eagles soar in their natural environment. To share a meal or beer at a pub perched over the sea with new made friends. To transit waters like Seymour Narrows, Nahwitti Bar, and Race Rocks; to explore the scenic waters of Barkley Sound and Johnstone Strait; or experience the challenge of Brooks Peninsula that has fostered the stories of sailors as old as the waters themselves. To have stories of your own that only you can tell your children or grandchildren.

John Shepard Field Correspondent”

How absolutely incredible it would be if you could write/comment about some of your experiences in the last race so more people could find out about the excitement of your hobby and the tremendous work and preparation that you put into this race.

Comments about your stop in Winter Harbour and your experience with staying and mooring at the Winter Harbour Marina and RV would be also welcome and appreciated.

Greg O’Byrne Skipper – The Legendary Boomerang

Comments 13

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times

• JAM (52 ft J-160) had her best race leg from Pt Hardy to Winter Harbour. We eked over Nahwiti Bar in light wind and opposing tide by playing the fringes near the shoals to starboard, and carried that lead all the way to the finish in beautiful weather. • Unfortunately, on our last gybe in to finish, one of our crew was beaned by the boom, concussed and bleeding. • Paying attention to him diverted attention from navigation, so of course we hit a shoal right at the finish line, luckily only going a few knots in the wind shadow at the lighthouse

• The Navy support at Winter Harbour was wonderful. They had a medic who knew his stuff. He diagnosed the crew member’s concussions and told us what to do and symptoms to watch for. • The fleet came together the following morning to help. Plane reservations were adjusted, and we got our injured crew home via Port Hardy, Vancouver and Seattle by 5 PM the next day. To make room, I think one passenger had to carry a tire on his lap for the flight to Port Hardy. • I was able to rent a BC and dive tank from the harbourmaster the following day to inspect the keel. A few rough edges were filed down and we were good-to-go. • The feast and the band on the lay day were the best of the whole regatta. The food was excellent, and I wish I could remember the name of the band to urge you to book them again.

• The race start for the leg to Ucluelet was among the worst sailing weather days I can remember. We beat all the way to the Brooks Peninsula in driving rain. Boat and crew were cold and wet inside and out. • Thankfully the rain died out after midnight, but so did the wind, mostly. • Wind built during the following day and switched to the north, and we rumbled into Ucluelet late afternoon next day under 2A spinnaker in the most glorious weather of the whole regatta. After mooring, we transferred to our rental cabin and watched remaining fleet finishing with the sunset in the background, beer in hand. Beautiful.

After a dusty 75 km drive from Port Hardy, arriving at Winter Harbour RV made the trip worthwhile! The new managers, Don and Julia, welcomed us like old friends, and are both working like mad to upgrade many of the facilities, buildings, etc. Their motto was “ Whatever we can do to make you happy”. We were so sad to leave but wish them much success with their retirement project!

Thank you for your visit to Winter Harbour, awesome seniors!!!

Julia and Don were great hosts during our stay in June. The lodgings were clean with all bedding, cooking and bbq’ing supplies stocked. Freezers for ice and fish at each accommodation. Great moorage with easy and close access to accommodations. The 7 of us had a great fishing experience and have booked back for next year!

Thank you, The Group of Seven, for your thoughtful comments. You are the group of seven famous for believing in friendship, having fun, and having a good time fishing!!! Thank you for planning to come back next year.

There is another Group of Seven who are famous for believing that a distinct Canadian art could be developed through direct contact with nature. The Group of Seven is best known for its paintings inspired by the Canadian landscape and initiated the first major Canadian national art movement.

Thank you Julia for your warm welcome at the docks in the middle of the night. We’ve had an incredible week of racing and our longest leg yet was to Winter Harbour. After a gruelling and puzzling day it was a pleasure to land in the beautiful hamlet of Winter Harbour. Your generosity in hosting us and sharing your space for the event was so appreciated. Can’t wait to return on a more relaxed timeline. Awesome spot.

We stopped in Winter Harbour as part of this year’s Van Isle 360 Sailing Race. Hospitality was over the top; way above and beyond expectations. We arrived after dark, wet, tired and hungry, and were taken care of like family. Thanks again for a memorable experience!

June 2023 Van Ilse 360 Race sailing vessel.

Winter Harbour Marine provided clean and comfortable accommodation for 7 sailors with room for more. We had a large kitchen area and exceptionally large barbecue and outdoor sitting area on pier; all of which we used. The sailors moored the TP52 directly outside. Julia, Don and son CJ are the family operators who greeted us and pulled the lines in. They went out of their way to assure we had a provisions for a large salmon, ling cod and crab dinner for 11 which we bbq’d on the equipment provided.

The Winter Harbour family operators were very helpful to shore support and their assistance was greatly appreciated.

Another local business, the Outpost Store, provided us additional hardtop accomodation with separate wash house at their campsite atop a near small hill. It was likewise clean and comfortable.

Stephen Dobson (at site for visit and shore support for TP52)

Participating in the VanIsle 360 race, the stopover in Winter Harbour was fabulous. Thank you and all of Winter Harbour for your generosity, hospitality and the great BBQ for all the racers.

We arrived at WHMon July 23/23 The two bedroom cabin was to be our home for 10 days. Julia and Don made us feel at home immediately and gave us lots of information on how and where to fish. We met many interesting people and everyone was always eager to share their fishing strategies and locations. The fishing was fabulous and our freezer filled quickly. Thank you Julia and Don for making our trip enjoyable and successful.

Thanks to you and Don for looking after us so generously during our Winter Harbour visit. From local knowledge to fishing help and more you extended yourselves and we really appreciate it. Consider: your friend volunteered to take our tire to Port Hardy for repair, another lent his vacuum bagger, you gave us vacuum bags, Don provided a free, substantive fishing lesson. You and yours could not have been more inclusive and pleasant.

I have just now uploaded a five star google review. Again, many thanks!

-Phil Lansing

We just spent eight wonderful days here enjoying the beauty, the nature, the fishing, and the fine company of all the splendid folks up this way. Don and Julia were especially amazing, always there to help out, and made us feel like old friends. We cant recommend this place enough. It was fantastic!

We booked a two night stay in the nearby outpost camp ground and we weren’t even staying at the RV park but we thoroughly recommend it. We wanted to get out onto the water on kayaks and Don and Julia (managers of Winter Harbour marina and RV park) very kindly rented their personal kayaks to us.

Don and Julia went out of their way to make us feel welcomed in Winter Harbour and we had a lovely dinner with them, sharing stories and having lots of laughs. They are the perfect hosts and will take good care of you in this beautiful location. We will always remember their kindness.

We recommend Winter Harbour , your stay could not go wrong with Don and Julia looking after you!

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World-famous sailboat race launches this weekend

A flotilla of sailboats are racing around the Island starting Saturday, in this year’s world-famous VanIsle 360 International Yacht Race.

More than 40 sailboats will be circumnavigating Vancouver Island. The first leg is from Nanaimo to Comox on Saturday. On Sunday, they will race from Comox to Campbell River, finishing at the fishing pier and stopping for their first awards night and dinner at the Riptide.

On Monday they will head north, stopping in Sayward for the first time in the event’s history. They will sail on to Telegraph Cove, then Port Hardy, then down the wild West Coast with a major stop in Ucluelet before racing on to Victoria. They will finish in Nanaimo by June 17 after nearly two weeks at sea.

The race organizers have created a planning guide for sailboat spotters and skippers alike .

For more information, including a race tracker, visit the official VanIsle360 website .

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• Take it Slow Around Vancouver Island

If you have never cruised outside of the Salish Sea’s fairly protected waters, a certain amount of anxiety about sailing the west coast of Vancouver Island is natural.

The waters on the Inside Passage are not without their own challenges: steep tides and currents, massive logs and winds that can quickly whip up unfriendly seas.

But, for many cruisers, the thought of encountering large rolling swells, seeing waves explode on nearby rocky shorelines, or having fog envelope the boat just as you sail close past craggy reefs makes the outside route daunting. Combined with the relative isolation and lack of cell service, well, it’s enough to put many folks off even considering it.

We have sailed offshore, across Asia, and the southern shores of Korea have many similarities to Vancouver Island’s west coast, with fast currents, cold water, fog and extreme tides. So we were both a little surprised by our growing anxiety as we approached the northern tip of Vancouver Island on our counter-clockwise circumnavigation of the island.

We had heard tales of mountainous seas when crossing the dreaded Nahwitti Bar. In my admittedly over-active imagination, those seas were going to be bigger than anything I had ever encountered. There were also stories of sailors waiting many days in Bull Harbour before daring to tackle Nahwitti.

We pored over weather forecasts and matching wind with current directions and speeds, slacks, time of day, boat speed. There is lots of information to be found, but suffice it to say it’s all a matter of timing. We were lucky and after only one night in Bull Harbour we headed off at first light to make a 0658 low slack.

Some cruisers will opt to take the “inside route” past Cape Sutil, avoiding the bar almost entirely, but there was no wind and we wanted to see what the bar was all about. There was indeed a low, swirling swell that would rise up impressively in opposing winds or at higher states of flow.

Once across the bar we were all smiles, but the grins turned to scowls as fog closed in and stayed with us all the way to Sea Otter Cove. Visibility was less than half a mile, with time enough to avoid collisions, but it was reassuring to have radar and AIS.  We relied on both, especially radar, numerous times in fog during the months that we explored the west coast.

Rounding Cape Scott was uneventful, the seas were confused and choppy but the waves were not as feared. Sadly, we couldn’t see the cape due to the fog, except on our plotter and radar screen, which apparently is not unusual.

The biggest factor to a safe and enjoyable cruise of the west coast is  time . Have plenty of it, and don’t sail to a schedule. There are several capes on the west coast with rather ominous reputations and we approached them all the same way: if conditions were in question, we stayed put.

Be prepared to skip some places if weather holds you up, or be realistic about how much you can see if you have to complete it within a certain timeframe. Being able to just accept and enjoy an extended wait in a safe anchorage meant we didn’t have to deal with any unpleasant weather or sea conditions on any of the hops “outside”.

I quite enjoyed those days when we sailed in the rolling swell. You forget on the “inside” how exhilarating it can feel to truly experience the ocean under you, in particular when passing the shoreline near Kyuquot Sound with stunning barrier reefs to starboard and the dramatic coast to port.

Bearing in mind possible long waits in adverse weather, provision for longer intervals when you may not be able to get to a store. Use special produce bags, and buy veggies that keep well, like onions, cabbage, carrots and squash. Have a supply of canned food options on hand. Ration your water if you don’t have a watermaker, and carry an emergency supply. Have a good supply of engine spares as help is not easy to come by should you need it.

Be well aware of where you are at all times and have a plan B in case the weather changes suddenly.

Be ready for the swell by having meals premade so you don’t have to cook underway, and nutritious snacks you can grab easily. Stow everything that can possibly move. Stuff cushions in lockers so you don’t have to listen to loose items crashing into each other, increasing the stress factor. If you are on a sailboat, put up the main to steady the boat even if there is no wind.

To receive weather reports, a clear VHF signal is not always available, so if possible, have an alternate forecasting source. If you have an SSB, Environment Canada weather for the west coast is broadcast daily on 2054 kHz at 0550, 1150, 1750 and 2350 PDT.

Some skippers, when they have rare cell service, take screenshots of the next five or so days on their phones with weather apps like the free  Windy  app, which works in  iOS  and  Android  devices and  Internet browsers . Of course, the screenshots must be taken with a heaping grain of salt after a few days.

Others download GRIBs to their SSB or satellite phone. Some even, with satellite devices like the Garmin InReach, have family or friends at home send coded weather reports by text for a particular waypoint of your choice.

The WX marine forecasts on VHF or SSB apply to such a large area that the forecast is often not pertinent to your location close to shore or in a protected sound, even if you can get it. That is when a satellite device and a helpful friend or the ability to download a GRIB file is a blessing.

Splendid scenery, great sailing, delightful encounters with bears, sea otters and whales, stunning night skies and the total silence of complete isolation, complex route planning, anchorages warm enough for swimming (if you can get in and out quickly) … these things all contributed to making this summer’s cruise one of the best sailing experiences I have had.

Learning to not let my imagination run wild, and remembering to trust in the boat and our abilities all added up to making this a summer to remember.

This article is courtesy of Lynne and Jim Burgoyne, who are currently building a new Salish Sea Pilot cruising guide to Vancouver Island’s west coast which should be ready in early 2021.

Jim Burgoyne

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Published on June 15th, 2022 | by Editor

R2AK: Routing around Vancouver Island

Published on June 15th, 2022 by Editor -->

After the race was cancelled in 2020 and 2021, the 6th edition of the 750 mile Race to Alaska (R2AK) began June 13 with a 40-mile “proving stage” from Port Townsend, WA to Victoria, BC. For those that survive, they start the remaining 710 miles on June 16 to Ketchikan, AK.

Jonathan McKee, Matt Pistay, and Alyosha Strum-Palerm led their Riptide 44 monohull Team Pure and Wild to line honors in Victoria ( click here for their report ), with 25 of 34 entrants completing the stage in conditions McKee described as “simply too rough for any non-sailing boat, and pretty marginal for everyone.”

Here’s an update from Jim Meyers on June 15, 2022 :

The Proving Ground stage of the 2022 Race to Alaska is behind us. Thankfully. Now the real fun starts.

For most, the stage two start means pedaling, rowing (or whatever) out of Victoria Harbour (eh), banging a right and heading up the stunning and bear-filled Inside Passage. However, for a few brave, ocean-hardened and crazy-in-a-good-way teams, they’ll be considering a first for the R2AK—a sanctioned west side/outside passage of Vancouver Island.

In ideal conditions the outside passage adds about 30 more miles and a boatload of risk, but it can also put teams on a conveyor belt of wind, giving them a lead over the inside teams measured in days. But maybe not.

After chatting with a number of teams over the last few days, here’s my best shot; a quick boiling down of the calculus that they’re all running through in their heads as they ponder which way to turn. ———— Consideration #1: Do you have the (right) stuff To be even considered for the Westside route, you need to pass under the Eye of Sauron that is the Race to Alaska’s vetting team. To meet their scrutiny, you need to be sailing an ocean-worthy vessel with an experienced crew and, as Race Boss Daniel Evans explains for required gear, “We essentially followed the SERs (Sailing Equipment Requirements) from the International Offshore Racing Organization and US Sailing and had to modify a few things around engines.” Consideration #2: The Winds “Even veterans of the Van Isle 360 [a race around Vancouver Island] really think it’s debatable about which way to go,” says Evans. “And if you’re headed north, either the way out to the ocean or the ocean itself is not going to be optimal.

“But if you can get a fair breeze, those boats can really stretch their legs. They’ll have to do almost nothing but point it in the direction they need to go and keep watch. There are really no obstructions in their way and they can really book.”

But without that wind, or with a storm, your advantage evaporates or could become your worst nightmare. Stranger still would be a total reversal of wind, giving the teams on the inside a paradoxical advantage.

Evans adds, “Just a week or so ago there was a steady 17 knots blowing all the way through Johnston Strait and it was dead calm on the west side…anything is possible.”

Consideration #3: The Wood and the Traffic The inside is notoriously full of logs and marine traffic. This year, thanks to an extremely wet spring, flooding coastal rivers, pulled record numbers of giant trees off their banks and spat them out into the salt.

The big ones are large enough to show up on radar, while the most dangerous ones, partially sunken “’deadheads’, bob up and down vertically, ready to punch a hole in any boat unfortunate enough not to see them.

Contrary to sailor lore, they do not disappear at night. They’re just invisible, making navigation in the dark a serious hazard. All of that will slow you down. One clear point for heading west.

Consideration #4: The Safety On the inside, at least until the two routes converge on the north end of Victoria Island, you are rarely far from a port, and shoreline is everywhere. Conversely, on the west side, you are on your own for roughly 400 miles, with west side boats likely traveling 30-40 miles offshore to avoid nearshore hazards.

And just in case you thought your EPIRB was going to provide you some sort of solace way out there, in the skippers meeting in Victoria, the Canadian Coast Guard officer that briefed the teams reminded them, “If you’re heading out to the ocean, let me be clear, we have no offshore boats available on the west coast.”

Ponder that commitment for a second. Self-sufficiency in even the worst situations is essential as help could be days away. ———— Of course, it goes without saying that within each of the considerations above (aside from being approved to go), there is endless minutiae that would fill many evenings with conversation between sailors, each with valid points and decisions based exclusively on each boat and team’s unique attributes. Mix that in with the fickleness of a forecast and the nuanced interpretations thereof, and you’re back to the reality that it’s simply a gamble.

It could be argued that it boils down to those that are gunning for a win versus those that are looking for a more conservative adventure, but if I’ve learned anything about sailing over the last few days, it’s that universal truths are rarely universal. Maybe that’s what makes sailing so great.

Race details – Tracker – Facebook – Instagram

To save people from themselves, and possibly fulfill event insurance coverage requirements, the distance is divided into two stages. Anyone that completes the 40-mile crossing from Port Townsend to Victoria, BC can pass Go and proceed. Those that fail Stage 1 go to R2AK Jail. Their race is done. Here is the 2022 plan:

Stage 1 Race start: June 13 – Port Townsend, Washington Stage 2 Race start: June 16 – Victoria, BC

There is $10,000 if you finish first, a set of steak knives if you’re second. Cathartic elation if you can simply complete the course. R2AK is a self-supported race with no supply drops and no safety net. Any boat without an engine can enter.

In 2019, there were 48 starters for Stage 1 and 37 finishers. Of those finishers, 35 took on Stage 2 of which 10 were tagged as DNF. There were no races in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic.

Source: R2AK

Tags: Race to Alaska

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Round Saltspring Race 2024

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Hosted by SISC

Saltspring Island Sailing Club

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Update: Sailing Instructions and updated Division Splits are posted in documents section below

As we gear up for another exciting sailing season, we're pleased to announce the Round Saltspring Race and Social Weekend, set to take place May 17-19. Get ready for a weekend of racing, camaraderie, and seaside fun!

Race Details:

Date: May 17-19, 2024 Location: Salt Spring Island Distance: Enter either the challenging 40+ nautical mile full course OR a shorter day race alterrnative Registration: Limited to the first 120 boats Classes: All sailboats classes and human powered sailboats per Notice of Race Moorage: First come, first served and be prepared to raft up

Proud Sponsors:

We're incredibly grateful for the generous support of our key sponsors, Michael Simmons Odlum Brown and Blackline Marine. Michael Simmons Odlum Brown's commitment to excellence and integrity perfectly aligns with the spirit of our event, while Blackline Marine Inc's expertise in boat repair and rigging ensures smooth sailing for all participants. Their logos will be prominently displayed throughout the event, symbolizing our shared dedication to the sailing community.

Exciting Updates:

We've added a day race:  As a short course option we are introducing  a day race on Saturday  followed by a cash bar and complimentary chili - a perfect opportunity to unwind and socialise after a day on the water.

Still have our usual social events:  Our social events lineup also includes a Friday night BBQ and live band, Sunday's pancake breakfast, and now, Saturday's cash bar and chili night!

For convenience, tickets for Friday night dinner, Sunday breakfast, and merchandise will be available for purchase on our Clubspot page alongside registration.

Human powered division returns:  Once again, we are running an Open Class for human powered sailboats . If you have propulsion system to test, this is the place to give it a whirl.

If you’re coming from away and are in transit to Swiftsure we’re offering free moorage from Sunday night through Thursday . Come and spend some time on Salt Spring Island – it’s lovely. We have limited spaces available so let us know early if you’d like to do this.

Whether you're a seasoned racer or a newcomer to the sport, the Round Saltspring Race welcomes all sailors to join us for a weekend of adventure and celebration. Secure your spot early, as registration fills up quickly!

How to Register:

Use this site to register your boat, purchase event tickets, and grab exclusive merchandise. Clubspot will be your go-to destination for all race documents and event updates, ensuring a seamless experience from registration to race day.

Volunteer Opportunities:

We're calling on members of the club and wider sailing community to lend a hand and make this event a success. If you're passionate about sailing and want to get involved, we welcome volunteers to help with setup and running the event. Whether you're skilled in event management or simply eager to pitch in, your support is invaluable. Sign up to volunteer here https://signup.com/go/FJvBzGP , and join us in creating an unforgettable experience for all participants.

Event Schedule:

Friday, may 17:.

2:00 PM: Welcome desk and sales opens 2:00 PM - 10:00 PM: Social Activities 2:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Cash Bar 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Dinner 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Live Music

Saturday, May 18:

6:30 AM: Light Breakfast 8:30 AM: Skipper’s Meeting 9:55 AM: First Warning Signal 2:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Cash Bar 6:00 PM: Day Race time limit 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Chili Dinner

Sunday, May 19:

9:30 AM: Light Breakfast 9:30 AM: Full Race Time Limit 11:00 AM: Awards Ceremony

Let's Sail Together:

Join us for a weekend of racing, socializing, and seaside festivities. From competitions on the water to gatherings ashore, the Round Salt Spring Race promises excitement at every turn.

We look forward to seeing you on the water!

Click here to purchase Round Saltspring Race 2024 merchandise .

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• Yachting World
• Digital Edition

Sailing Vancouver Island: Braving bears and bad weather on the inside-out route

• June 22, 2020

Tor Johnson sails with his father, sister and friends on a voyage of rediscovery around spectacular Vancouver Island

Keala navigates the rocky entrance to the Bunsby Islands, on Vancouver Island’s west coast. All photos: Tor Johnson

At 94 years of age, my father, Donald, still hates sitting in harbour. He lives in La Conner, Washington, on a cliff overlooking the Swinomish Channel, where he can keep an eye on the fishermen, loggers, and eagles that ply the waters of the Pacific Northwest.

In a life of sailing around the world , my father has wrung more salt water out of his socks than most of us will ever see. The world is full of “harbour-sitters,” as he calls them, trading horror stories of deadly gales over drinks while waiting for perfect weather conditions to leave the dock.

Although over the years he has been called adventurous and even reckless, depending on the observer, I’ve always known my father to be a cautious skipper. He has taken my mother, brother, sister, and me safely across both oceans to places as varied as Norway , Turkey, the Philippines and Vanuatu. In all those miles, I can’t recall ever being in a dangerous sea.

Wheateeam Bay is a welcome calm anchorage at sunset after crossing the notorious Hecate Strait

As kids we missed a lot of school but came back with skills in celestial navigation and the experience of standing night watch with the safety of everyone aboard in our young hands. Sailing has been an adventure as well as a way to share the skills of seamanship in our family.

Among the many places we visited together, one of my father’s favourites was the First Nations Reserve of Gwaii Haanas on the Queen Charlotte Islands. Ancient totem poles still stand sentinel over majestic Haida village sites. When my father told me he wanted to make one more trip out there with his friend, Christine, I pulled out the charts.

Vancouver Island’s system of ferries, roads, and air service would allow me to rotate my crew among three generations of family and several old friends from voyages past.

Article continues below…

Bear necessities: Cruising the Broughton islands on Canada’s Pacific coast

We left Dead Point at 0800 in a flat calm and entered Beware Passage – inauspicious names for cruising in…

Hidden talents: Inside the traditional boatbuilding yards of British Columbia

At first glance, Gabriola Island does not seem to be much a haven for sailors. Sails appear on the water…

We had sailed Keala , our Jeanneau 44i, from her birthplace in La Rochelle, France, across the Atlantic . While in the protected confines of Sidney, British Columbia, visiting my sister’s family, I talked to a gregarious fellow sailor moored behind us at a yacht club.

I told him of our intended voyage up the inside of Vancouver Island with my sister and her family to Port McNeill, where we’d meet my father and Christine for a cruise north to the next island chain, the Queen Charlottes. I’d make the return trip double-handed along the rugged west coast of Vancouver Island with a surfing friend from Hawaii . 

“I’d never leave the Sunshine Coast. All there is up there are bears and bad weather,” said our new friend. “Lots of fog up there too.”

The Johnson’s Jeanneau 44i Keala at sunset off Rose Harbour, Queen Charlotte Islands

My father may well be right about not listening to those dire dockside warnings about bears and bad weather, but our fellow sailor actually did have a point: why leave the safety and comfort of the inside route? There are cruising grounds enough in the Inside Passage to keep a cruiser busy for a lifetime. 

He and most of the thousands of sailors in places like Seattle and Sidney BC don’t leave protected waters because they don’t have to. With a few notable exceptions, it’s possible to sail through the intricate network of islands and fjords of the Inside Passage from Tacoma, just south of Seattle, to Alaska ’s panhandle without encountering much open sea. 

And the weather really is better. Summer temperatures on the protected Sunshine Coast, to which our friend referred, range in the teens and twenties and water temperatures get up to over 20°C in long fjord-like inlets. Swimming is actually a thing.

The Marble River is a hidden gem

Particular challenges

You might never see an ocean swell, but that’s not to say cruising the inside route is without its challenges. First among these are strong tidal currents. The more constricted passages turn into turbulent rapids with currents in double digits several times a day. Since it’s impossible for yachts and other low-powered vessels to negotiate these rapids, it’s essential to arrive at slack water. When possible we plan for slack ebb or flood to carry a favourable current along our course.

Another challenge is the astounding number of logs. Logging is a major industry in British Columbia, and loose logs, some virtually submerged, can disable a small boat. It requires a constant lookout.

Tugs towing thousands of logs in a huge boom may require the entire channel to manoeuvre, as we found when forced into an impromptu gybing drill first thing in the morning on our way out of port. Common practice is to keep a watch on VHF Ch16 in narrow channels and to wait your turn after the last oncoming vessel uses the end of the tide to get through.

Sailing in to Deception Pass, Washington State, with Mount Baker in the background

Large car ferries, travelling at high speeds, commonly cross the channels at oblique angles. They always have the right of way, a fact of which they seem well aware.

As our friend forecasted, fog became a challenge the moment we emerged north from the protection of Vancouver Island into Queen Charlotte Strait. It was often thick in the mornings, which meant keeping an eye on the AIS , radar , nearby fishermen, ferries, and logs all at the same time. Mercifully, most days saw the fog burn off by mid-afternoon. 

For my sister, the highlight of the entire route inside Vancouver Island was sailing into Broughton Archipelago. For once we had a favourable wind and managed to sail 25 miles inland up the Tribune Channel, which became like a fjord between immense rock cliffs.

Keala points up the Tribune Channel, near the Broughton Archipelago. Sailing here can be magical, at least while the wind lasts

Suddenly a grey whale blew to starboard, while a pod of several hundred fast, agile Pacific white-sided dolphins reached nearly across the entire channel, surfacing in quick succession. They raced past as a group, so in rhythm they looked like a breaking wave. 

Furling our sails at the head of the channel, we found the friendly little floating dock at Kwatsi Bay Marina nestled in a steep bowl of mountains. A group of veteran cruisers were surrounded by food and drink, and getting well into the local Happy Hour tradition.

Tracy Dixon, a surfing friend who had cruised with us in the Philippines when we were both kids, met us near Alert Bay, an old fishing town and First Nations community at the north end of the Vancouver Island. After a distinguished career defusing bombs for the Navy, Tracy had just completed a degree in anthropology at the University of Hawaii. 

He’d already learned about Alert Bay’s famous U’mista Cultural Centre, a cutting edge modern museum housing a treasure of elaborate and wondrous dance masks of the local First Nations group with the nearly unpronounceable name of Kwakwaka’wakw. Many of these ancient masks have made epic journeys, only recently finding their way back home to this museum.

Links to the past

On Moresby Island, the southern section of the Queen Charlottes, is a Haida Heritage site called Gwaii Haanas. Home to the Haida for over 1,500 years, the area was abruptly abandoned when European disease decimated the population. Today there are village sites with large communal houses gradually returning to the forest, and elaborately carved totem poles still standing. 

Haida guides called ‘Watchmen,’ many of them descendants of those who first lived in the villages, now work as interpreters and guides to each historical site. The Watchmen appear to enjoy having visitors and, thanks to a permit system, the number of guests is regulated.

Old float house at Sointula. It’s a house boat at high tide

Burke Murphy, an old friend from my days teaching sailing in Santa Cruz, flew out to join us. A shipwright living and working in the south of France, Burke does fine woodwork on classic sailing yachts. He was astounded to learn that the Haida use Sitka spruce – in his world a prized boatbuilding material – mainly for firewood.

The Watchman offered to sell him a few ancient trees from the protected reserve, something so ludicrous that we all burst out laughing. Like many island cultures, the Haida appear to value a good joke.

For us, the old whaling station at Rose Harbour was particularly interesting. On the southern tip of Gwaii Haanas, Rose Harbour is the only privately owned area in the reserve. From a rustic cabin, a small group of young people provide home cooking to the hungry kayakers and sailors who pass through. One worker told us of a Haida war canoe in the forest, which we found after some searching through the huge cedar trees. 

Totem pole at Coal Harbour, highly recommended for a fascinating seaplane history museum

It appeared as though the canoe was under construction when it was abandoned, possibly with the arrival of European disease. The tree had been expertly felled to allow access from below and above, so that carvers could shape the hull. Inside, the canoe had been only partially hollowed out, leaving the middle section as solid wood. 

We later learned that it was common to leave a length of the inside of the hull intact to retain as much strength as possible for the precarious task of moving it to the sea. In the quiet of the trees, we imagined what this canoe might have been like with a full complement of proud Haida warriors. 

My father enjoyed the solitude of the remote anchorages we visited, surrounded by immense trees, sea otters, and soaring eagles. Christine, an accomplished artist, made beautiful drawings of the scenes.

My father had always been the skipper who did it all: the first one to tackle any job, easy or hard. It bothered him that at 94 he wasn’t able to do the heavier work of sailhandling. I reminded him that, after all, that’s what he trained me for. I feel lucky to have the chance to sail with him still.

Bear country

British Columbia has large numbers of black bears, and the impressive grizzly (Ursus arctos horribilis, or brown bear) can be found up several inlets: Knight, Rivers and Bute. We knew we were in bear territory when we stopped at the friendly, family-run North Island Marina in Port McNeill, the preferred re-provisioning stop for the Broughton Archipelago and environs.

The marina’s garbage-drop had been ripped apart, great gashes in the plywood siding proving the formidable power of the bears’ claws. However, we found most bears to be shy of us humans – we are the most dangerous of all predators.

A grizzly bear foraging on foreshore rocks

My shipwright friend Burke was an excellent lookout, and he was keen to see a bear. He picked up the binoculars whenever he sighted anything even remotely bear-like on shore. It wasn’t until we were motoring into Rose Harbour that he finally sighted a large black bear on the beach. It was a sunny day, and we watched as the husky bear ambled down to the water, waded in for a nice cool bath, shook off, and ambled casually back up the beach into the forest.

The weather stayed good. That said, it would be unusual not to experience at least a few powerful North Pacific low-pressure systems during the course of a summer as far as 50°N. Our trip was no exception.

Having crossed the notorious Hecate Straits to the Queen Charlotte Islands from the BC mainland, we heard gale warnings forecast on the VHF. We headed for narrow, landlocked Sac Bay, surrounded by steep hillside, close in to mountainous Moresby Island.

Thankfully, both BC and US Coast Guard regularly forecast via VHF, updated several times daily. Unfortunately, our perfectly sheltered anchorage turned out to be subject to powerful downdrafts and torrents of rain that created new waterfalls as we watched. 

Beginning to feel a bit trapped in the prison of our own choosing, we spent our time visiting other boats taking refuge from the weather. We made friends with David and Gaylean Sutcliffe, an experienced sailing couple aboard Kinetic , a Beneteau First 47.7, on which David has skippered no less than five Victoria-Maui races as well as the Sydney Hobart Race .

We chatted in their diesel-heated cabin while munching on Gaylean’s fresh cake and listening to buoy reports of steep seas in the Hecate Straits. Because it is shallow – below 10m in places – and open to the south, open-ocean swells tend to pile on up in chaotic seas. As we listened, reports came in of 5m seas at 4.5 seconds. In these conditions, the Hecate would be mostly white water and might even live up to its nickname among locals: Black Bitch.

As the gale passed with more torrents of rain, I began to wonder if the surrounding mountains weren’t creating their own foul weather, so we left without waiting for rain and wind to abate. We found much milder conditions farther from the mountains, just offshore near Hot Springs Island. We soaked in the hot springs while looking back at Sac Bay, still covered in a hard rain surrounding the mountains, and congratulated ourselves.

One thing the Northwest is not famous for is great sailing. Winds are often light and variable, especially in the more protected areas popular with cruisers. The running joke is that most yachts on passage still have their boom covers on, which actually seems kind of true.

It’s really not by chance that the power trawler is the boat of choice for the Northwest. But, when the wind actually is right, the sailing among rugged peaks covered in evergreens can be magical, somewhat like sailing in an endless mountain lake. We tried to get the sails up whenever we could, even if that meant furling them after a few minutes.

Yet another tranquil anchorage. Keala at Turnbull Cove, Broughton Archipelago

BC has such a complex coastline and so many potential anchorages, that a good cruising guide is essential. We had the Waggoner guide at hand at almost all times. Having Active Captain, Garmin’s crowdsourced, up-to-date electronic guide on our chartplotter was also a huge help, with many firsthand and recent accounts to read. The Douglass guides also come recommended. 

The anchorages are spectacular. Some are tucked into the mountains and trees in an inlet, only a few feet wider than the boat, with the feel of a serene lake. Others are protected within groups of small islands which shelter them from the open ocean.

The Waggoner guide was accurate about one group in particular: the spectacular Bunsby Islands where we had perfect swimming weather. Waggoner says it’s essential to stop here, because other sailors who had done so would inevitably ask if you’d visited, “… and you don’t want to disappoint them.”

Some days it’s nice enough for a swim; Tor and Tracy exploring the Bunsby Islands

And yet the BC coast is also a great place to ignore the cruising guides. There are thousands of potential anchorages available, with reasonable depths and good holding. We found our Navionics charts were quite accurate, though of course not infallible. So it’s feasible to find your own anchorage, based on the current and expected conditions.

Some anchorages don’t turn out to be as good as they look, but my favourites were those that we chose simply because they looked interesting on the chart, and many turned out to be magical. There is something special about finding your own place, without knowing exactly what you might find there: a little like the first explorers.

On the outside

Our descent along Vancouver Island’s west coast was late in the season, in September, so most of the fishing lodges had emptied, and the few cruising boats that travel this coast had mostly moved on. Our first stop was Guise Bay, on the extreme north-western tip of the island, just inside notorious Cape Scott.

An early start for the 75-mile crossing of the Hecate Straits

Although untenable in southerly winds, it’s a paradise in northerlies. As proved the rule on the west coast, we found ourselves the only boat anchored off an immense crescent of white sand beach. We rarely saw another boat. 

Yuquot, or Friendly Cove as Captain Cook nicknamed it, was fascinating as a place where First Nations and Europeans have long collided. An old church represents this long struggle. A stained glass window depicts treaties between Spain and England asserting their influence over the area. At the church altar, fantastic carvings by Yuquot craftsmen have completely displaced the old Christian icons, which now lie in the attic.

At Hot Springs Cove a half-hour hike along a boardwalk, paved with treads carved with the names of visiting yachts from all over the world, brings you to a small hot spring with a hot waterfall you can stand under. It’s essential to catch it before unrestricted hoards of tourists arrive at 0800 from Tofino via high-speed boats. They leave again in the evening.

Keala ’s crew enjoying a little salmon sashimi (from left) Donald Johnson, Burke Murphy, author Tor Johnson and Christine Carroll

Tofino is BC’s surf mecca, and while it is a quaint town with amazing beaches, it’s so full of marinas, high speed RIBs, and seaplane traffic that it feels more like Miami than the secluded Vancouver Island.

As we made our way south, we encountered rough seas a few times, usually when we put to sea a bit hastily at the tail end of a gale. The thousands of off-lying rocks necessitated careful navigation, but being bluewater sailors we didn’t have a problem with the near constant Pacific swell, which actually helps the navigator by marking shallows with plumes of spray.

Whales encounters are a constant along the coastline. A pod of orcas escorted us for miles up the Strait of Georgia, the huge dorsal fins of the males cutting through the water like scythes. Crossing the Hecate Strait, we ran into something underwater that may have been a whale. We never saw what it was that we hit, but it slowed the boat from about five knots to near three, then released softly. 

Long-time friend Jeff Max and nephew Rowan Ruddle tidy up the cockpit lines

Within the next hour, a large humpback came close alongside, and dived under the bow, inches from the hull. The same whale made several passes, very close to the boat and unusually active. I wondered if he wasn’t giving us a message to stay away from his friends.

Pinch zones

Because the coast is so deeply indented and complex, weather conditions vary greatly by location. We sometimes found a near gale blowing off a cape, and calm a few miles away. Many of these ‘pinch zones’, where current, sea, and wind accelerate, can be ferocious – or completely calm, depending on the wind angle.

Cape Scott, off the north-western tip of Vancouver Island, Cape Cook on the Brooks Peninsula jutting ten miles out from the coast, and Cape Caution all have evil reputations. None is more notorious than the Nawhitti Bar off Vancouver Island’s north coast. Completely exposed to the north and west, the bottom abruptly shoals from 150m to a mere 10m, and tidal currents race over the bar creating high potential for breaking seas. 

Donald Johnson, the one who started his family tradition

Anxious about crossing the Nawhitti Bar, I began watching the weather carefully. After seeing reports of a large incoming westerly swell, to get some local knowledge I took our dinghy alongside a Canadian Coast Guard cutter anchored in nearby Gordon Channel.

The officer on watch, reassured that ours was an offshore vessel, noted that there were no adverse wind conditions in the forecast and simply wished us a safe crossing. 

As it happened, conditions were calm when we crossed the bar the next morning, although ominous large ocean swells ‘felt the bottom’, steepening before us and breaking astern on nearby reefs. Local fishermen and those in the know use an alternative route inside the reefs, close in to the Vancouver Island shore, where conditions are said to be much calmer.

Thankfully, the deeply indented coastline that creates these pinch zones also creates a multitude of places to hide from the weather. Since fronts are generally fast moving, it’s easy to hide for a short time while waiting out adverse conditions in what often proves to be a fantastic anchorage on either side of each of these pinch zones.

As for my father, he enjoyed it all. The years have failed to dull his enthusiasm for cruising. He still feels the same about sitting in the harbour and he could barely sit still for a day even during gale warnings. He prefers to carry on despite the bears and bad weather.

About the author

A renowned marine photographer and bluewater sailor, Tor Johnson and his wife, Kyoko, run their photography business out of a beach house in Waialua, Hawaii. Tor grew up sailing the oceans with his family and is also a passionate surfer.

First published in the June 2020 edition of Yachting World.

Boating, Sailing & Cruising around Vancouver Island, Gulf Islands and Discovery Islands

Premier Listings: Boating, Sailing & Cruising around Vancouver Island

Few cruising grounds in the world can match British Columbia’s coastline for stunning scenery: majestic fjords, half-hidden inlets, and hundreds of islands. And to complete this perfect picture, a temperate climate! Offshore, boaters can explore the sheltered waterways and the popular marine parks around Vancouver Island or nestled amongst the Gulf Islands – a dazzling playground for kayakers and pleasure boats, both large and small.

Government wharves, safe anchorages and quaint coves all contribute to memorable boating vacations. Captain your own ship or join a skippered charter as you share our calm, clear waters with porpoises, whales and swooping eagles. The coastal waters around Vancouver Island, and the Marine Provincial parks that dot the BC coastline, offer recreational boaters great places to anchor for a few hours, or overnight. These marine parks provide essential facilities for boaters while maintaining the natural surroundings of the area.

Vancouver Island

North Vancouver Island Port Hardy is located at the northern tip of Vancouver Island, and serves as the gateway to some truly wilderness cruising grounds, while also the southern terminus of the BC Ferries’ Inside Passage and Discovery Coast routes. Port hardy has excellent marina and moorage facilities, and long-term parking for RV’s and vehicles.

Telegraph Cove is one of the last boardwalk communities on eastern Vancouver Island and definitely worth a visit. Telegraph Cove offers a boat launch and moorage, fishing licences, tackle and bait, and is the place to begin exploring Johnstone Strait and Robson Bight. Long-term parking can be arranged here for those setting out on extended boating trips in Johnstone Strait.

Broughton Archipelago Marine Provincial Park offshore from Telegraph Cove is a wilderness area consisting of a maze of several small islands, numerous islets and adjacent foreshore at the southern extremity of Queen Charlotte Strait . Good, safe, all-weather anchorages can be found at Waddington Bay, Farewell Harbour on Berry Island, Joe Cove on Eden Island, and the cove on the southeast side of Crease Island.

Marine Parks around North Vancouver Island:

• Big Bunsby Marine Provincial Park
• Broughton Archipelago Marine Provincial Park
• Catala Island Marine Provincial Park
• Cormorant Channel Marine Provincial Park
• Echo Bay Marine Provincial Park
• God’s Pocket Marine Provincial Park
• Rugged Point Marine Provincial Park

Central Vancouver Island From Parksville or Qualicum Beach , cruise across the Strait of Georgia to Jedediah Island Marine Provincial Park or to nearby Lasqueti Island , which attracts boaters each summer to its sheltered coves and bays.

Comox is a good base from which to charter boats to prime cruising areas … the Discovery Islands, Tribune Bay, Princess Louisa Inlet or Desolation Sound . Most yachtsmen regard the Desolation Sound area as the most beautiful cruising ground in British Columbia, and one of the premier sailing playgrounds in the world. The sixty miles of breathtaking coastline, intricate waterways, small islands and numerous attractive bays and coves will delight even the most demanding of adventurers.

Campbell River is the gateway to the Discovery Islands, located between Vancouver Island and the BC mainland. The islands form a picturesque and pristine archipelago that attracts boaters every year. One must take time to explore these islands, many of which are situated in marine parks, as each has its own history, distinctive charm, culture and colourful characters.

Boat launches are situated at two locations on slender, steep-sided Buttle Lake in Strathcona Provincial Park. One is located beside the Auger Point picnic tables in the Buttle Lake Campground; the other is located about 15 miles (25 km) south of the campground near the Karst Creek picnic area. Note: Buttle is a flooded lake, and along the shoreline submerged deadheads are an ever-present threat. Beware of the sudden winds and storm conditions that can quickly channel through this mountainous region. Boaters can head to four wilderness marine campsites on the western shore of Buttle Lake, as well as a site on Rainbow Island just offshore from the Buttle Lake campground at the north end of the lake.

Marine Parks near Central Vancouver Island:

• Newcastle Island Marine Provincial Park
• Rock Bay Marine Provincial Park
• Thurston Bay Marine Provincial Park

South Vancouver Island Known as the Harbour City, Nanaimo is second only to Victoria as Vancouver Island’s largest and most vibrant city – famous for its varied landscapes. This city possesses a great waterfront, and many boaters find Nanaimo to be the ideal centre for exploring the Gulf Islands to the south, or Desolation Sound to the north. There’s a public boat ramp at Pipers Lagoon Regional Park. It’s one thing to putt-putt around the sheltered lagoon, but quite another to brave the open water of Horswell Channel on the east side of the narrow headland that shelters the lagoon.

There is a municipal boat launch in the centre of Ladysmith, the place to begin exploring the 5-mile (8-km) length of Ladysmith Harbour. Dunsmuir and Woods Islands on the north side of the harbour are good destinations in summer.

Sidney is a picturesque town that combines the charm of a small port, first class marinas and the rustic character of a farming community. Sidney is the gateway to the enchanting Gulf Islands, and is an ideal spot for cruisers, whether passing through or just taking a day trip. Launch from either the boat ramp or wharf in Sidney and head across the channel to Sidney Spit on Sidney Island or Princess Margaret Island, both of which are incorporated into Gulf Islands National Park Reserve. To locate the launch, drive to the east end of Beacon Avenue. James Island shelters the waters of Cordova Channel in front of Island View Beach Regional Park. A boat ramp is conveniently located at the entrance to View Beach Regional Park.

A public boat launch is located beside the federal dock at the north end of Lands End Road at Swartz Bay. This is a good place to put your boat in the water and head for any number of nearby islands or to explore the coastline of the Saanich Peninsula. Those in small craft should be cautious of the wash from BC Ferries’ boats and larger marine traffic around Swartz Bay.

Sooke Harbour is separated from the Strait of Juan de Fuca by Whiffen Spit – the sheltered waters are ideal for a leisurely cruise.

Marine Parks around South Vancouver Island:

• D’Arcy Island Marine Park
• Discovery Island Marine Provincial Park
• Gulf Islands National Park Reserve
• Isle-De-Lis Marine Park
• Princess Margaret Marine Park (Gulf Islands NPR)
• Race Rocks Ecological Reserve
• Sidney Spit Marine Park

West Coast of Vancouver Island and the Pacific Rim The rugged and remote west coast of Vancouver island features six main inlets and sounds, listed from south to north: Quatsino Sound, Kyuquot Sound, Esperanza Inlet, Nootka Sound, Clayoquot Sound, and Barkley Sound. This coastline is known for it’s ocean swells, superb outer reef systems, and long expanses of pristine and deserted beaches. Marine wildlife in the area includes killer whales (Orca), migrating gray whales, seals, porpoises and sea otters.

Many visitors to the west side of Vancouver Island may never have the chance to boat in the wind, the rain, and the ever-rolling seas that characterize the world of the “outside” waters, as the open ocean here is often called. However, the opportunity exists to do this, aboard the freighter MV Uchuck III , which plies the waters between Gold River, Tahsis, Nootka Sound and Kyuquot Sound. These exciting journeys present unparalleled views of the rugged and remote wilderness beauty that is the west coast of beautiful Vancouver Island.

Quatsino Sound on the northwest coast of Vancouver Island is a huge sound that leads in from the Pacific Ocean, almost separating the northern tip of the island from the rest of Vancouver Island. Situated on or near Quatsino Sound are the small communities of Winter Harbour , Quatsino , Coal Harbour and Port Alice .

Kyuquot Sound is a wilderness area, except for a number of logging camps and the village of Kyuquot, the northernmost of the 14 Nuu-chah-nulth First Nation bands. Kyuquot with its homes built into the forest above the tideline is a welcome sight for boaters turn into a small bay and find civilization after rocking and roiling for several hours in the open waters of the Pacific Ocean.

The rugged and remote Esperanza Inlet and Nuchatlitz Inlet are accessed by boat from the nearest towns of Tahsis and Zeballos .

Nootka Sound is steeped in history and surrounded by the natural beauty of the west coast of Vancouver Island. Nootka Sound is a paradise for sport anglers and outdoor adventurers seeking to explore and enjoy the magnificent wilderness surroundings and weather-beaten landscape. The community of Tahsis sits at the head at the head of Tahsis Inlet, a deep fjord that cuts northwards off Nootka Sound. Tahsis offers complete facilities for boaters and sport angles, including moorage marine supplies, boating and fishing gear, fishing licences and bait, fuel, ice, showers, laundromat, and restaurants. Road access is available from Tahsis to the east coast of Vancouver Island.

Located in Nootka Sound is the birthplace of British Columbia; the small community of Yuquot, also known as Friendly Cove. Historical Friendly Cove was the site of the first contact between Europeans and First Nations people in British Columbia.

The sheltered waters of Muchalat Inlet run inland from Nootka Sound like a long corridor through steep-sided fjords to the terminal south of Gold River . Bligh Island Marine Provincial Park (part of the Spanish Pilot Group) sits at the mouth of Muchalat Inlet. There’s much to explore in this group of six islands, scattered where Muchalat Inlet converges with two adjacent inlets and their channels. The waters in this region can get choppy, so small craft must cross with care. Large Bligh Island is named for a much-maligned British Navy captain who sailed here with the equally well-known Captain Cook in 1788. A cairn at Resolute Cove near the small community of Yuquot commemorates the landing.

North of Barkley Sound is Clayoquot Sound and the community of Tofino. Boating in the waters of Clayoquot Sound is one of the most rewarding ways to experience this environment. Day trips close to Tofino include Meares, Stubbs, Wickaninnish, and Vargas Islands, all within sight of the federal dock in Tofino. Farther afield is Flores Island. The sandy beach on Stubbs Island makes it an ideal getaway within sight of Tofino. You can land on the east coast of Vargas Island, 3 miles (5 km) north of Tofino, and make the one-hour journey across island on foot to Ahous Beach. If you boat to Ahous rather than hike, be prepared for a stretch of open ocean as you round the exposed southwest corner of Vargas. If it’s blowing too hard, check out isolated and delightful Medallion Bay on the south end of the island. Nothing on Vargas, however, tops Ahous Beach’s lengthy expanse, which rivals Long Beach in size. So vast is its hard-caked, sandy surface that light planes occasionally land here.

Boating in the waters off Clayoquot Sound is spectacular. Take a side trip to Maquinna Provincial Park, accessible only by boat or floatplane. From here, a pleasant half-hour stroll through lush, dense old-growth rain forest leads to Hot Springs Cove and it’s series of enticing natural rock pools -perfect for a rejuvenating soak!

Grice Bay is a sheltered niche of ocean waterway tucked in beside Meares Island in the backwater of Clayoquot Sound. At low tide, the bay drains so low that it takes on the appearance of a green marshland. Eelgrass covers much of the mudflats in Browning Pass, which links Grice Bay with Tofino to the north. A boat launch is located at the end of Grice Bay Road, which leads east from Highway 4, almost 9 miles (14 km) south of Tofino. Grice Bay lies within the northern limits of the Long Beach Unit of Pacific Rim National Park.

As intimidating as the ocean can be at Long Beach , there are wonderfully long, calm days in summer when boaters and paddlers can safely enjoy an excursion offshore. A boat launch is located beside the parking lot at the north end of Long Beach beside Hwy 4.

Barkley Sound and the Broken Group Islands comprise one of the three main recreational components in Pacific Rim National Park, and is not as exposed as the other sounds. The popularity of these islands with paddlers and boaters has soared over the past decade, as they provide a true west coast experience in sheltered water. Barkley Sound is not normally subject to the extreme ocean conditions farther west in the open waters around Ucluelet and exposed sections of the West Coast Trail and the Long Beach Unit, the two other areas that attract visitors to Pacific Rim National Park.

Sprinkled throughout Barkley Sound are the Broken Group Islands – over 100 of them – an intriguing archipelago forming an intricate network of waterways. Boaters can explore sheltered coves and uninhabited islands. The exquisite scenery, rugged coastline and white sand beaches beckon to be explored – cruising among the Islands will foster unforgettable memories. Ucluelet and Bamfield are the two main communities on Barkley Sound, both of wish are commercial fishing villages and popular tourist destinations.

Marine Parks on the West Coast and Pacific Rim of Vancouver Island:

• Gibson Marine Provincial Park
• Maquinna Marine Provincial Park

The Gulf Islands and Discovery Islands

Some of the more popular and easier-to-reach parks in the Southern Gulf Islands include Montague Harbour Marine Provincial Park and Dionisio Provincial Park on Galiano Island, and Beaumont Marine Park on the Pender Islands, as well as Winter Cove Marine Park on Saturna Island . Other marine parks include Cabbage Island, off the northeast coast of Tumbo Island east of Winter Cove Marine Park, and the large Princess Margaret Marine Park on Portland Island between Saltspring Island and the Pender Islands.

In the Discovery Islands , Jedediah Island, which nearby Lasqueti Island residents refer to jokingly as Club Jed, stands apart from other Gulf Islands because of its size (about 600 acres/240 hectares) – one of the largest island parks in the province – and the fact that visitors are free to camp anywhere on Jedediah. Some of the best sites are near the shoreline around Long Bay, particularly as the drumming sounds of diesel-driven marine traffic in Sabine Channel don’t reach this side of the island.

Most island parks are intended as way stations and provide sheltered anchorage for those travelling in liveaboard boats. Home Bay is semi-sheltered by Mother Goose Island, which lies just offshore, but it lacks the tranquillity of Long Bay. Both bays teem with shellfish: when the tide goes out, the exposed mudflats are ripe for clam raking. For those who journey past the south end of Lasqueti Island, there’s good reason for putting ashore at Squitty Bay Marine Provincial Park. Not only is there freshwater from a pump in the park’s picnic area, there’s also an interesting adjacent ecological reserve, and great views of Vancouver, distant Mount Baker in Washington, and the white expanse of the Comox Glacier in the Comox Valley.

Sandy Island Marine Provincial Park is located so close to the north end of Denman Island that at low tide you can wade to the park from the tip of Longbeak Point. These islands are a holdover from a distant time when the entire Strait of Georgia was filled with sand. In more recent geological times, glaciation gouged out the trench that is now filled with seawater.

Octopus Islands Marine Provincial Park is both remote and accessible at the same time. Nestled among the maze of islands through which the waters of Johnstone Strait funnel into the Strait of Georgia, the Octopus Islands are most easily reached from Quadra Island. Tidal currents around Quadra Island are notorious for their strength, particularly at Surge Narrows on the east and Seymour Narrows on the west, which should be transitted at slack tide. Boaters should be well versed in the reading of tidal-current charts to safely explore the fascinating waters around tightly packed Quadra, Cortes, Maurelle, Read, and Sonora Islands.

Marine Parks in the Gulf Islands and Discovery Islands of BC:

• Beaumont/Mt. Norman Park (Gulf Islands NPR)
• Cabbage Island Marine Park
• Ha’thayim (Von Donop) Marine Provincial Park
• Jedediah Island Marine Provincial Park
• Montague Harbour Marine Provincial Park
• Octopus Islands Provincial Park
• Pirates Cove Marine Provincial Park
• Rebecca Spit Marine Provincial Park
• Sandy Island Marine Provincial Park
• Wallace Island Marine Provincial Park
• Whaleboat Island Marine Provincial Park

Sailing Season

• January sees good strong winds out of the southeast
• Spring (March/April) – good blows and great sailing
• Summer is flat – great for power boating or running the motor to charge the batteries!
• Fall (September) – time to hoist sail again

Sailing Events

• Van Isle 360 Degree International Yacht Race . A sailing race of 580 nautical miles circumnavigating wild and rugged Vancouver Island.
• Swiftsure International Yacht Race . A sailing weekend held in Victoria in May, hosted by the Royal Victoria Yacht Club.

Premier Listings

Business information.

Silver Blue Charters offers excellent year-round salmon fishing charters available on beautiful Gabriola Island aboard a 25.5 foot SeaRay Amberjack that carries 6 people. Captain Bob Meyer has spent 25 years as a charter fishing guide, and has extensive fishing experience in Gulf Island waters, having performed over 3,000 charters and consistently has the highest salmon catch rate in the area. Fishing packages and wildlife tours available on request.

Orca Spirit Adventures is Victoria’s premier whale watching company, offering carbon-neutral covered vessel and zodiac tours led by certified marine naturalists whose knowledge and passion for Vancouver Island’s marine wildlife is unequaled in the industry.

Tours are three hours in length, with April through October being the ideal whale watching months. In this peak season, Orca Spirit Adventures boasts a greater than 95% success rate of spotting whales, including humpback whales, Bigg’s and resident orcas (killer whales), and gray whales!

Other wildlife you may encounter include harbour seals and elephant seals, sea lions, Dall’s and harbour porpoises, otters and marine birds such as cormorants and bald eagles.

Unlucky tour? Join us again using our WHALE GUARANTEE for a complimentary whale watching tour!

The diversity of wildlife and awe-inspiring scenery that exists so close to Campbell River is unparalleled. Ideally located near the south end of Discovery Passage, the area is critically important habitat for Killer Whales, Humpback Whales, and so much more. Travel along stunning shorelines and inlets in search of Killer Whales, Pacific White-Sided Dolphins, Dall’s Porpoises, Seals, and magnificent Bald Eagles. Embark on our Grizzly Bear Expedition and observe these incredible creatures feasting on salmon in their natural habitat far away from human civilization. Our tour boats feature an enclosed and heated cabin, two outdoor viewing decks, and an onboard washroom.

Adventure Seekers & Nature Lovers – OCEAN OUTFITTERS is the place to kick off all your Tofino activities! Our experienced, local guides will pilot you through beautiful Clayoquot Sound to view gray whales, humpbacks, orcas (killer whales), black bears, sea otters, sea lions, wolves, eagles and other seabirds aboard one of our luxury covered boats, or one of our Zodiac boats.

Whether you’re headed to Hot Springs Cove, joining us for an inlet tour to view Black Bears, or wanting to meet up close and personal with our local gray whales, humpbacks, and orcas… we are your gateway to adventure!

Looking for a calmer and more intimate experience? Join us on a beautiful 4.5 hour guided kayak trip in a remote part of Clayoquot Sound. While kayaking through the calm waters and discussing the history of Clayoquot Sound, we will also be looking for Harbour Seals, Black Bears, Bald Eagles and various other forms of wildlife that out populate humans in this area!

Interested in fishing? We are proud to bring you some of the best fishing itineraries that Tofino has to offer! Charters are available for both experienced fisherman and families looking for fun. Tofino offers world-renown deep sea salmon fishing, as well as excellent ‘family friendly’ fishing areas with calm, protected waters, and LOTS of fish. Helping kids and novice boaters explore the wonders of our area and wildlife is a big part of what we love to do. Also available on our Fishing Charters, is our sea-to-fork ‘Gourmet At Sea’ add-on, where our guide (who is a professional trained chef) will prepare your freshly-caught seafood for you while you’re still on the water!

Our programs are not only a ton of fun, but they are also educational and encourage stewardship. We are a certified green business and are committed to connecting you with nature and to inspiring conservancy. Live the experience with Ocean Outfitters!

Our waterfront location on Main Street, in the Shore building, has all of gear needed to get you out there, as well as organic coffee to fuel your adventures! We are proud retailers of Arcteryx, Costa Del Mar Sunglasses, Vortex binoculars, Pendleton, and a great collection of books. Feel free to enjoy our lounge/cafe before or after your trip.

Video: Ocean Outfitters – Your Tofino Adventure Specialists

For an experience unlike any other, step aboard our luxurious 53-foot motor yacht, the “Raincoast Maiden”, to view whales, bears, sea lions, eagles and other wildlife in comfort. We offer a relaxing wildlife cruise with a personal touch. With a spacious cabin, washroom, comfortable seating inside and out, guests can sit back and take in the abundant wildlife and magical scenery with a taste of luxury. Truly a nature cruise of a different nature!

More than just wildlife viewing, our interpretive and very personal tours include a scenic cruise through the sheltered waters and breathtaking scenery of the Broken Group Islands and an optional gourmet meal while at anchor. Romantic Evening Cruises and Private Charters are also available. We will share our love and enthusiasm for the area and make your West Coast experience an unforgettable one.

Poets Cove Marina is located in beautiful Bedwell Harbour on Pender Island, one of the top ten anchorages in the Western Hemisphere. Contained within North America’s largest designated marine park, the Marina at Poets Cove offers 110 deep water slips for boats up to 100 feet, with fuel, power, water, and a Canada Customs office right in the Harbour. Heated pool, hot tub, laundromat, and showers.

Explore BC and Southeast Alaska with Bluewater Adventures aboard our 70′ yachts sailing the BC Inside Passage, the Queen Charlotte Islands, Gwaii Haanas National Park, the Great Bear Rainforest, and Vancouver Island. You’ll see whales, Grizzly, Black and Kermode bears, and experience ancient native villages and Haida culture, primeval forests, wilderness, and amazing coastal wildlife.

Sea Kayak in comfort based from our ocean-side, or float-house accommodations in the wilderness of the Broughton Archipelago, a kayak paradise. The phrase ‘Walking Softly in the Wilderness’ has always been a guiding principle for our homesteading lifestyle and approach to developing our inn. Paddlers Inn has earned a Gold rating from Green Tourism Canada for our efforts to continually reduce our impact on the environment, while supporting others to do the same. We also offer Acupressure massage on-site. Surround yourself with ocean, beaches, trails, an inland lake, and quiet beauty.

Cameron Ocean Adventures operates off the pristine Canadian shores of beautiful Ucluelet, home to Vancouver Island’s #1 trail, the Wild Pacific Trail. Cameron Ocean Adventures offers adventures in the waters of the Broken Group Islands and Barkley Sound in Pacific Rim National Park.

Experience first-class sport fishing for salmon and halibut, whale watching on the largest vessel in Ucluelet, and year-round custom charters with professional guides aboard clean, safe, luxury motor yachts that depart right from the convenient Ucluelet Harbour.

Join us for an experience you won’t forget.

Ocean Light Adventures introduces their new vessel for summer 2021. The powerboat Afterglow is a 60ft Monk designed Gulf Commander with 5 staterooms and 3 heads, offering amazing wildlife viewing from all windows and from the spacious top deck. Her crew has 34 years of experience offering natural history and photography tours on the BC Coast, including Haida Gwaii, and specializing in grizzly viewing tours in the Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary, and spirit bear and grizzly tours in the Great Bear Rainforest. We also offer whale watching and eco tours, from totems to intertidal treasures, rocky shores to sandy beaches, and spawning salmon to towering trees. We offer five spectacular adventure trips between May and October, each to a different region and each highlighting the awe-inspiring beauty of the beautiful BC coast.