See full version: The Complete Guide to Paddling Desolation Sound, British Columbia
There are a few open sections that must be paddled to reach the most popular camping locations (Curme Islands), but these are very short (2-3km). That all said, we have experienced some wild windy days on the water on Desolation Sound. here
Historic Lund Hotel – Fantastic location
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The Desolation Sound region is located in BC Tidal Area 15. There are some quite specific rules and regulations concerning fishing and collecting shellfish to follow while paddling in Desolation Sound.
Not just great for collecting water, both lakes are also perfect for a swim! Keep in mind that the lake water should be treated before drinking. [links]
Getting to Comox from Vancouver is best done by ferry. Depending on where you are departing from, you could take the Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo ferry, or the Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay. Both will still require you to drive north along Vancouver Island to get to Comox. Check BC Ferries for schedule. Driving from Nanaimo is much shorter. There is also an airport in Comox servicing major airlines from across Canada and the US. Check Expedia or CheapOair.ca for options. If you’re flying from the US, CheapOair.com is worth checking for deals too. Their When to Buy Flights Tool is handy for planning. If you want to spend some time in the BC coastal town of Comox before or after your charter, Booking.com and VRBO list some options in the area.
The Desolation Sound cruising guide by Peter Vassilopoulos is a great resource for not only planning, but also interpreting the history of the area. The Dreamspeaker Cruising Guide to Desolation Sound & the Discovery Islands is another respected resource. The Boaters Blue Pages and Marine Guide by Pacific Yachting is an indispensable directory of marine services. You can purchase all of these books at chapters.indigo.ca or search by “Desolation Sound” and see other suggestions available.
We highly recommend Desolation Sound Yacht Charters http://www.desolationsoundyachtcharters.com/ out of Comox. All boats come with charts on board, and most newer yachts have electronic navigation, but it you want to mark up a chart and plot courses, you’re best to bring your own.
Will it be a bareboat charter or hired skipper when chartering a sailboat in Desolation Sound? The answer depends on your experience. Charter companies will require a resume of boating and sailing experience, including coastal navigation and marine radio certification. Be prepared to document proof of competence, complete a navigation quiz and demonstrate your abilities during an on the water boat check out prior to departure. Having crew on board with boating experience is preferred for yachts greater than 40 feet. You can also hire a certified skipper for the entire charter. Additional fees will apply. Most skippers are fun loving and amicable with holiday groups, but you will need to accommodate for sleeping arrangements.
If you’ve sailed before, but need to brush up on a few things, Chapman’s Piloting & Seamanship is a fabulous guide. Chartering a sailboat in Desolation Sound requires knowledge and boating skills. Chapman’s has been the leading reference for both power and sail boaters for nearly a century. This essential guide with 928 pages and 1,500 full-color illustrations as well as charts is the bible of boating for anything you may be feeling rusty on. Even if you’re not skippering the boat, knowing a little more about how it all works is sure to add to your enjoyment on the water. Grab a copy on Amazon here, or through Chapters/Indigo.
From Captain George Vancouver to Muriel Curve of Time” Blanchet to Jim Spilsbury’s Coast” Spilsbury, visitors to Desolation Sound have left behind a trail of books endowing the area with a romantic aura that helps to make it British Columbia’s most popular marine park. In this hilarious and captivating book, CBC personality Grant Lawrence adds a whole new chapter to the saga of this storied piece of BC coastline. Adventures in Solitude is a must read before your trip – or pack it along for the ride and share some laughter with others aboard! You can purchase it at chapters.indigo.ca or on Amazon. If you prefer immediate access in e-book format you can get that through Chapters/Indigo as well, or at eBooks.com This book will definitely add some laughs with your crew, if you bring it along on board. But it’s also a great way to get a better sense of the area and its history while anticipating your sailing in Desolation Sound trip. Enjoy.
Half the fun of cruising is the company you share it with! Our crew was game for adventure and took theme nights seriously, allowing for Mexican, Hawaiian, Italian, Western and Pirate Night to dictate not only food and drinks, but also attire. We kicked it off with the Pirate theme our first evening in Cortes Bay, complete with sabering several bottles of champagne. (If you want a visual on that, be sure to watch the video above, which will also give you a true sense of the amazing experiences in Desolation Sound that await) here
Desolation Sound Marine Park is a boater’s paradise! With over 6,350 acres of shoreline and water, it is the largest Marine Park in B.C. in addition to being the only major park of any kind on the Pacific mainland coast of Canada.
The Park can be split up into three major destination anchorages: Prideaux Haven, Tenedo’s Bay, and Grace Harbour. The topography of the park varies from relatively low rolling hills of Gifford Peninsula to the Unwin Range rising over 4,500 feet directly behind Prideaux Haven. There are many safe anchorage locations, most of which are either totally or partly enclosed by low shoreline or high cliffs, islands, or mountainsides. Warm waters make Desolation Sound Marine Park an ideal place for swimming and scuba diving, saltwater and freshwater fishing, and walk-in wilderness camping. here
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The following 5 day kayak route has thus been developed to facilitate the above desire. Please note that in order to reach the best spots, you do have to work a little to get there! We are strong believers that the best rewards are earned through a little effort first, and so our recommendation below involves three ‘paddling’ days of moderate activity, and two ‘rest and relaxation’ days where the script is up to you. Two base camps allow a good blend of relaxation and exploration.
Day Five: North Copeland Island to Okeover Inlet
Cross back to the mainland from the Copelands and paddle north back around Sarah Point and beyond Feather Cove and into Malaspina Inlet. We like to visit the opposite shore on the way back to base, so continue down the inlet’s western side through the narrow portion (where there may be more currents) and into Cochrane Bay, which is opposite Grace Harbour and another nice place for lunch.
The Copelands have a large number of bald eagles, as well as many species of shore birds and waterfowl, such as mergansers, harlequin ducks, and the tiny but diminutive marbled murrelet. The most southern island in the chain in particular has great marine life on display at low tide, including sea stars, sea cucumbers, big red spiny urchins and even gumboot chitons.
Day Four: Copeland Islands Day Trip
One of our favourite day trips, the Copeland Islands are an incredible place to view marine and bird life as you pick your own path between 4 large and multiple small islands and islets in the chain. Numerous small bays and coves are found throughout the protected islands for lunch with a view of Vancouver Island and Savary Island to the south.
If you are travelling through B.C. and want to experience the true Canadian wilderness we highly recommend you spend a few nights exploring Desolation Sound. Here are 5 things we suggest you do to ensure you experience everything Desolation Sound has to offer.
What areas have you explored in British Columbia?
Our favourite hike in Desolation Sound is the one on Tenedos Bay that leads to Unwin Lake. This freshwater lake is so warm (no icy cold Canadian waters here) and the perfect way to cool off after a day of hiking through the bay.