Advice on Western Vancouver Island – what to see , what to do and where to go.

Hi Peter —

Here’s hoping more members will come back to you with tips and ideas. Plenty of RCYC boats have made the trip up to the outside of Vancouver Island. We’ve spent time up in BC over the years, but only three times on the outside. In ’96 and ’03, on our Beneteau 350 Oceanis, we went as far “up” as Hot Springs Cove. Each inlet, bay and sound along the way is different, making for some good exploring. After we started cruising on our Tolman Jumbo 24, mostly on the inside, we headed west and up, and made it to Walters Cove before turning back. I’ll go over your 4-section query with our log books at hand, for some thoughts. But for now, just a few… Get the lated Waggoner Guide. Yeah, start with that. I’ve not yet gotten into our 2023 copy, but need to, to find out what places are considered the best (easy, fast) this year for checking in. If you already have the Nexus cards for everyone who will be on the boat, you’re way ahead of the game. But for us, again taking a family member with us, we’ll be doing the ArriveCan thing, and find a better place to check in than last year, also with a non-Nexus family member. As for stores, it depends on how remote you want to be. Stock up, but there will be stores for topping up. Again, Waggoner is how to learn more about such stuff. We like Bamfield, Uclulet, Tofina, Ahouset (sp?), and I’ll check our log for other spots. Fishing licenses were not hard to get, online. But be aware that our crab traps considered normal in our area are not allowed in Canada. They have to be more open. Check online about this. Oh, and one thing… What kind of boat do you have? Your options will be much different with varying cruising speeds. We used to run at around 6 knots, and not go 18 mph routinely. — Anne & Ray

Peter (and anyone else with proofing or teaching experience) — Sorry for all the typos. Hope you could translate okay. We cruise now at ~ 18 mph, and can make a run to a place with a store easily. When we went slower, we carried more provisions. Ray wanted to add a couple of things. One, that fishing has always been better on the outside. He said, “Pretty much you’ll catch something.” And I remember one summer when we got to the point of me saying, “Oh, fish again for dinner?” Ray says that you will be able to catch bottom fish. Going for salmon is more complicated. Take with you whatever you like to use when preparing fish for dinner. You may give us a call if you want. We’re in the Yearbook.