Scratch Silva Bay

[Adamaris]

After a hiatus lasting several years we are back on the water, for one of our first trips we decided to go to Silva Bay on Gabriola, from trips many years ago this was one of my favorite destinations, anchor in the bay and have a nice meal at one of the marinas and a night in a safe and protected anchorage.

We arrived late on Sunday and were shocked to find the anchorage full of "Private" moorings, next to nowhere left to anchor, nothing like the descriptions in the boating guides. Many of the mooring balls seemed to have derelicts or half built projects hanging off them with the obligatory semi secured tarp blowing in the wind. It was pretty disappointing, what was once a desirable location which left you with fond memories is now the complete opposite, it took less than a minute to turn round and high tail it out with absolutely no desire to return.

On the upside there are so many spectacular anchorages nearby we were spoilt for choice.


Bill

[bluuu]

Wholeheartedly agree! We found the same thing when we went there for the first time a few years ago. It was disappointing, and the guidebooks we had didn't reflect this reality. Oh well... as you say, there are many spectacular anchorages nearby.


We stopped for lunch at the small bay just off Drumbeg Park and found poor holding in what was presumably very soft mud - but the anchor we were using was not a modern anchor and had issues with dragging elsewhere. Next time we plan to overnight outside a pass, we might try anchoring in the bay west of Kendrick Island.

[Macblaze]

Originally Posted by Adamaris

After a hiatus lasting several years we are back on the water, for one of our first trips we decided to go to Silva Bay on Gabriola, from trips many years ago this was one of my favorite destinations, anchor in the bay and have a nice meal at one of the marinas and a night in a safe and protected anchorage.

We arrived late on Sunday and were shocked to find the anchorage full of "Private" moorings, next to nowhere left to anchor, nothing like the descriptions in the boating guides. Many of the mooring balls seemed to have derelicts or half built projects hanging off them with the obligatory semi secured tarp blowing in the wind. It was pretty disappointing, what was once a desirable location which left you with fond memories is now the complete opposite, it took less than a minute to turn round and high tail it out with absolutely no desire to return.

On the upside there are so many spectacular anchorages nearby we were spoilt for choice.


Bill

Welcome to the Gulf Islands.

I've had half a dozen "favourite" spots disappear over the last few years.