Desolation Sound, the largest and perhaps best-known marine park in British Columbia, is considered by many boaters to be the one of the top three cruising grounds in the world -- along with Fiji and New Zealand's Bay of Islands. The waters of Desolation Sound are calm, sheltered and warm with lots of protected anchorages, and plentiful oysters,
clams, prawns and salmon. The park
consists of more than 14,000 acres of high land and 6,350 acres of shoreline and water. There are also four lakes and one waterfall in Desolation Sound Marine Park, and the warmest salt water north of Mexico (82 degrees Fahrenheit!) awaits swimmers in Pendrell Sound.
The area was named Desolation Sound by Captain George Vancouver who first sailed here in 1792 and saw the silent and remote coast. The shoreline varies from low rolling hills to 4.500-foot peaks with many protected anchorages tucked into bays, coves and inlets. Here are some of the most popular Desolation Sound anchorages -- but there are many more to discover for yourself!
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Prideaux Haven
Hundreds of Desolation Sound yachts could anchor in this incredibly beautiful, well-protected harbour with its many islets, coves, inlets, and passages. In the summer, Prideaux Haven is one of the most popular, active anchorages on the B.C. coast, with warm salt water swimming and socializing among friendly vacationers.
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Mink Island
The island may be private property, but it still provides one of the most scenic, popular anchorages in the area. The outer anchorage is exposed but has proven to be safe and deep, while a shallower, more protected anchorage exists behind a small islet near the head of the cove.
Tenedos Bay
This deep bay is more than 300 feet in the central area, but there are lots of coves and nooks shallow enough for small craft. The most protected anchorages are at the north end of the bay, but the eastern area is usually the busiest with a trail onshore leading to Unwin Lake -- a beautiful, secluded swimming area just a five-minute walk away. Fresh water is available here.
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Okeover Arm
This inlet offers a marina in Penrose Bay as well as Okeover Resort, Okeover Provincial Park, and a public float on its western shore. Power is available here, but there is no water and no garbage dump. Anchorages are located in the warm, sheltered waters of Penrose Bay and near the head of the inlet. A lot of this Desolation sound area is leased as oyster beds.
Grace Harbour
Coming in from Malaspina Inlet, there are several anchorages here, and lots of areas to explore. The inner harbour is completely protected and the shore offers trails and old logging roads for hiking -- including a path to a fresh water lake for swimming. Boaters can beach dinghies and check out a park information board showing the surroundings.
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Other favourite anchorages in the Desolation Sound area include Pendrell Sound, Roscoe Bay and Teakerne Arm on the Redonda Islands, while Mansons Landing and Squirrel Cove on Cortes Island are also wonderful places to stop -- for more information on these areas see the Discovery Islands section.
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On the way to Desolation Sound
Powell River, a large town on the northern Sunshine Coast, offers marinas, grocery stores, shops, restaurants and a liquor store for provisioning. A bit further north is Lund, a smaller, more scenic town with a marina, general/liquor store, pub, bakery, and hotel -- also good for provisioning before heading into the Desolation Sound area.
» Click here to book your Desolation Sound Yacht Charter.
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