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michaelmrc · 26-06-2010, 07:36

am thinking about heading off for a few days from nanaimo to perhaps bowen island or maybe squamish. any locals have some recommendations for anchorages things to see etc...

IdoraKeeper · 26-06-2010, 07:48

No suggestions except go. Lucky you. I am stuck in Kansas all week.

Cheers!

joshw5144 · 26-06-2010, 09:58

Howe sound is nice. Plan a night at Plumper cove, decent all weather protetion. You can dingy over to Gibsons from there, and get fresh seafood off the dock. And beer if you need. From there you can have a nice sail all the way around bowen to snugg cove. If you want to stay at the marina I'd make a reservation if its on a weekend. If you want to anchor there is a bay right there called mannion bay that you can spend a night. There is a couple good spots on Gambier as well that are nice. Halkett bay is nice, east bay which is where camp artaban is also a good spot but both of those are kinda exposed to inflow winds. Hope that helps a bit.

michaelmrc · 26-06-2010, 18:53

thanks joshw5144 is there any restrictions to anchoring etc... that i should be aware of.

joshw5144 · 29-06-2010, 08:08

Not that I am aware of off the top of my head. Just watch for log booms in some of the anchorages on gambier. Stay out of the way and you should be fine.

michaelmrc · 07-01-2014, 17:47

seeing how i never got to make that last trip im reviving this thread. hoping to get more info on anchorages as well as info on squamish harbour. is there anchoring there is there a government/public dock etc... thanks

krafthaus · 07-01-2014, 18:24

We really like Snug Cove on Bowen. Very pretty, fantastic floating shower house, stores and nice restaurants. There's a Mediterranean one forget the name that we'd go back to for sure. Had a wood fired pizza oven.

Also try Gibsons Marina and go for battered scallops at Molly's Reach.

Now I want to go back there! Enjoy.

michaelmrc · 07-01-2014, 18:28

im thinking of going end of this week. need someplace that has good protection from our winter southerlys

michaelmrc · 07-01-2014, 19:55

does anyone know of any good anchorages at gambier island

highseas · 07-01-2014, 20:16

Halkett bay on Gambier is good,but slightly open to southerlies.A marine park,and dinghy dock there.Keats Is. is better in southerlies.A dock to tie to there also,lots of space.In summer they charge to tie up,not sure about wintertime.Mooring balls also,take up most of bay.Nice park there.The channel in Squamish can be anchored in.A bit narrow,but its possible.Govt dock may have space.

Heart of Gold · 07-01-2014, 20:23

If you come as far as Squamish, Contact the Squamish Yacht Club, number on website, or the Government Dock. The club has a guest dock and power for a nominal fee. There is a great pub a block away, good restaurants and shops. I also would recommend Gibsons marina or anchoring in Plumper cove on Keats. We stop here a lot when heading out of the sound. Another thing that is pretty cool to do is sail in to False Creek and anchor there. You have to get a permit but it doesn't cost that much and it is fun to stay downtown and dinghy over to Granville island. Halcut Bay is also another great anchorage, try to get down closer to the Marine Park dock for the best protection and watch the shallows. There are some peaceful little spots to tuck into on the North side of Gambier, one is called Right angle Bay and is closer to the west side. A good stern tie and you won't see Port Mellon. It will be chilly back there this time of year though.

michaelmrc · 08-01-2014, 06:55

thanks heart of gold do you happen to have the number for the government dock in squamish? what about depths coming into squamish inner harbour ive heard it can get pretty shallow is it a tide specific entry .

Heart of Gold · 08-01-2014, 09:32

Michael, the gov dock phone is (604) 892-3725. Port Captain is Bill McHenry.

As far as entry into Blind Channel: it can be a little tricky but not so much since a partial dredging last spring. Our district managed to find enough funds to dredge a 50foot wide 7foot deep cut through the worst part. Still, It is best to enter half tide or better. Once you are on the inside and near the marinas there is not much problem. We have had race boats in here that draw 8ft. So, I will try to explain the safest way in. As you approach you will see the Red Flashing entrance beacon on the east side of the sound, keep this just to your starboard. Do not confuse this light with the industrial port that is on the west side of the sound. Look for the range lights that will set you up on a safe course in but do not follow them all the way. As you approach keep watch on your port for a green and white dolphin and bear to it, Then keep within about 20 ft of the dolphin maintain a straight course along the log sort pilings till you see the gov. dock on your port as well as the SYC a little further along. Our guest dock is labelled "D" Dock and I believe guest dock is also posted. If you PM me I will send you a google earth image of these instructions. The photo would not upload