Michael, just want to add dittos for Plumper Cove and Halkett Bay. Expect you’ll have those
anchorages to yourself this time of year. We also like Port Graves, plenty room to
anchor in reasonable
depth, but like Halkett it can get a little unsteady in the inflow. Nice trails. North shore of Mackenzie Cove, off Centre Bay, is also a nice spot to stern tie for a couple days, but maybe because we had it peacefully to ourselves during the summer.
We like the marina, etc at Snug Cove, but not crazy about
anchoring in Mannion Bay which can be congested with permanent moorings and floats hogging areas with decent
anchoring depth, at least during the summer months. Might be fine now.
If you visit False Creek, you do need a pass to
anchor, but it’s free for two weeks. Anchor as close as you can to whatever public
dock you most want to visit, then you can row your
dinghy, leaving your
motor safe on your
boat. With the possible exception of the public
dock at Granville Island, visiting and local cruisers rarely leave a small
dinghy motor unattended in False Creek, and motorless dinghies typically have a good locking system, such as a cable that is not easy to cut.
We really like False Creek, and it’s a lovely place from which to see
Vancouver. I don’t know theft statistics, or if cruisers are overly cautious, but when in Rome...