Circumnavigating Vancouver Island

[waltdrechsler]

We are planning on leaving the work a day world and heading for Mexico with the 2018 Baja Ha Ha. Before we turn left we thought we would take 3 months and go around Vancouver Island from about May - July. At this point our plan is to go North on the inside and South on the outside. We are looking for any suggestions on planned direction, time of the season, favorite anchorages, etc. We are really looking forward to our adventure and are excited to hear your comments and suggestions.

Thanks in advance,

Walt & Linda Drechsler
S/V Pellucidar
svpellucidar@gmail.com

[TJ D]

Hello,

You definitely want to go counterclockwise.

The inside's all very nice, but the W. coast, particularly N of Tofino or so, is really special.

Some favorites:
Bull Harbor, near Port Hardy.
Bunsby Islands. The place is a paradise.
Clayoquot
Santa de Gertrudis cove, just N. of friendly cove. A very snug little hole in the wall with a line to shore. A much better anchorage than friendly cove, but a little tricky getting in.
Hot springs cove is really nice early in the morning before the tourists show up.

There's a dozen other fabulous spots, but these stand out for me.

[waterdog]

We are doing the same thing, but taking it a little further north. Including Haida Gwai and Alaska on the itinerary. Just booked Gwai Hanaas last week. We are leaving early May back September via the west coast of the island. Probably do the 18 Haha as well.

[Lennie]

We are planning the same trip with about the same timeline. Any must see places?

[TJ D]

Originally Posted by Lennie

We are planning the same trip with about the same timeline. Any must see places?

My list above is a good start for Vancouver Island. You'll find your own favorites.

Further south, it depends on what you're looking for. We find Baja to be too cold in the winter, so for most of the non-hurricane season, I think that anywhere from Puerto Vallarta to Zihuatanejo is about as good as it gets.

TJ