Trip to the Broughton Archipelago Summer 2024
General Boating Chat
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There was a lot of rain this afternoon, but it was very pretty with the fog off the ocean when it subsided, and the sun peeked out a little. Scenes from Lady Boot Cove on the BC coast, north end of Vancouver Island.
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A moody start to the morning in our sheltered little cove in the Broughtons. Lots of rain yesterday as a summer storm front moved through, but the sun is back! Although a stiff southeast breeze is still out there, so we have decided to stay another night before moving on. Stay tuned. :)
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This video features scenes from our two-night stay in an anchorage called Lady Boot Cove. Located in the Broughtons on the British Columbia coast, this small cove is known as a bomb-proof anchorage that protects from winds in pretty much any direction.
We chose it because a quick-moving storm front was on the horizon, and the winds were predicted to change quickly from northwest to southeast. It was a great spot as we experienced very little wind, just a day of on-and-off pouring rains. After the rain, as the sun peeked through, it made for a moody scene as fog drifted off the water and through the trees.
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We returned to Kwatsi Bay a few days ago, as it looked like a good soaking of rain was on the horizon. With the steep mountains all around, it's supposed to be awesome when the waterfalls run. Well, we got a ton of rain, and sure enough, the spigots were turned on! Oh, and the dolphins were back. :) Here are a few snapshots, working on a video soon.
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A couple of weeks ago, we anchored for a few days in remarkable Kwatsi Bay. The views are stunning as the bay is surrounded by steep hillsides and rock faces. Pacific White-sided dolphins even came to visit. The only thing missing was the waterfalls. We've heard that, at times, the hills will be littered on all sides with streaming waterfalls. But being the dry summer season, they were, for the most part, run dry.
Therefore, with the weather forecast indicating a very wet day ahead, we decided to cruise back up Tribune Channel and revisit Kwatsi Bay. We hoped the waterfalls would turn on for us. Happily, we weren't disappointed, as 20-30 mm of rain fell over the course of 12 hours, and waterfalls began to appear all around us! To top it off, the dolphins reappeared for another visit. This video features footage of the falls, dolphins, and our travels through Tribune Channel, Bond Sound, and Knight Inlet, ending up at our next anchorage in Cracroft Inlet.
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We have left the Broughtons and are returning to the lower Discovery Islands and Desolation Sound for September. Temps will be warmer, and there should be less fog and cloudy days.
This video features footage from a long 8-hour day cruising Vestri down most of Johnstone Strait. We took advantage of mostly benign sea conditions, though it was a cloudy, coolish summer day. The brisk southeast wind drove us off the flybridge and to the lower helm most of the way.
We pulled in and anchored in Charles Bay off Blind Channel about 6 p.m., just before the rain started. The rain lasted a good 16 hours and added up to several inches, but we look forward to a sunny, warmer forecast in the coming days!
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The clouds are clearing, and some sunny, warm weather is on tap. We've made our way down the coast a bit to a favorite little anchorage called Charles Bay in Blind Channel. Fed by several little freshwater creeks and flushed by the tidal currents, it has a ton of life, amazing clear water, and a cute little islet called Eclipse. Gonna stay a few days and enjoy some late summer warmth. :)
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Look what floated into our anchorage at Charles Bay in Blind Channel BC today. A huge jelly called a Fried Egg Jelly! Took some underwater video footage for the next video. It's the first time we've seen one.
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September 1st, 2024: I was enjoying a summer day aboard our boat Vestri, anchored in Charles Bay, when, out of the corner of my eye, a flash of color in the water attracted my attention. It was a large Fried Egg Jelly! youtu.be/7zYShkX37es
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We left Charles Bay after another enjoyable visit and crossed over to the Blind Channel Marina to refuel and fill up on fresh water. Tied up tonight at the government dock at Shoal Bay. What a gorgeous view down Philips Arm. Tomorrow morning, we will transit tricky Dent and Yaculta rapids areas known for strong currents and deep whirlpools. We have to time the tides just right! I have faith in Captain Anne. :)
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Today, we left Shoal Bay at 9:30am to time our passage through Dent and Yuculta Rapids. A picture-perfect summer day on the BC coast, with low wind and temps up to 25C. Anne and I have never seen this part of the coast. WOW! The scenery is gorgeous. The richie rich folk know about it, though, as the shores are dotted with huge estates and fancy lodges/resorts, and look at that yacht!. I took lots of video footage of our transit through Dent and Yaculta Rapids and Gillard Passage, so I will have a video out soon after I edit the footage from Charles Bay. Falling behind. :)
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Highlights of the wildlife and nature beauty from our recent stay in Charles Bay along Blind Channel, BC. Last summer, in late August, we anchored for over a week in a lovely little bay across from the Blind Channel Marina. We loved the scenery, abundant wildlife, and clear waters.
So this year, a return visit was high on our list. After several long boating days south from the Broughtons, the little bay was a welcome place to hang out, relax, and recharge our batteries. The first day was breezy and rainy, but after that, the weather warmed up, and we once again thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. This video contains a collection of nature/wildlife highlights from our stay. Enjoy! youtu.be/_HvhL9qFFg8
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New video upload - Shoal Bay Overnight & Trip Through Dent & Yuculta Rapids - Summer Boating the Spectacular BC Coast youtu.be/DMW21zTm4y0
