Hi Roland,
I guess Sointula provides more protection from what comes down the Strait. I have cruised up/down all of B.C. and remember wondering how protected/unprotected many spots would be in the winter time. My cruising has always been May through September of course.

No problems with winter weather. Does get wet and occasionally windy but there is no fetch. Never seen a wave over 3ft even on the open beaches and there is a well sheltered bay/marina on the south side. Rare to get frost or snow. There are also very good harbors at both Port McNeil and Port Hardy.

Alert Bay--having been there sailing up/down B.C., I'd think Alert Bay would be exposed from weather systems coming from the south. I'm preparing to do more 'year round cruising in those waters and wondering about the weather during the winter months.