This group of lesser-known islands lies between Campbell River and the British Columbia mainland -- a cruising area adjacent to Desolation Sound with some of the most spectacular scenery in the world.
|
Quadra Island
Just off Vancouver Island's Campbell River, Quadra is the largest island in the Discovery group, and offers many excellent anchorages. On the east side of Southern Quadra, Rebecca Spit Marine Park in Drew Harbour is well-known among boaters for its wonderful hiking trails, sandy beaches and picnic areas. Heriot Bay, just across from the marine park, is home to a popular inn, pub and marina, and the Quadra Island Market with a bakery and liquor store is nearby. On the west side of the southern island, April Point Lodge and Marina offers magnificent views and excellent dining, while Gowlland Harbour provides a quiet anchorage and five islets that are all park reserves. Quathiaski Cove, where BC Ferries lands, includes a public wharf, a small shopping plaza, and a local pub.
On Northern Quadra Island, the many coves and inlets in Waiatt Bay provide peaceful spots for anchoring, while Octopus Islands Marine Park, at the mouth of the bay, is very popular in the summer months and tends to be more crowded. Other possible stops in the north include historic Village Bay with its lovely warm water lake, Kanish Bay, Granite Bay and Small Inlet. Quadra Island is especially known for sport fishing, but is also steeped in history, and visitors can check out the Kwagiulth Museum and Cultural Centre in Cape Mudge, which displays exceptional, First Nations artifacts. Cape Mudge, at the southern tip of the island, is also known for its lighthouse.
|
Cortes Island
Just east of Quadra, Cortes is considered one of the main islands in the Discovery Islands group. It's known for its calm lakes, deep gorges and the abundance of shellfish on its beaches. Discovery Islands boaters could easily cruise around the island for a week or two, checking out the many nooks, crannies and coves of its varied coast. Cortes Bay in the south offers a public wharf and seaplanes provide scheduled and chartered flights from here. On the southwest side of the island, Mansons Landing Marine Park is popular because of its lovely anchorages and its beaches with saltwater and freshwater swimming. There is also a public wharf, a market, a cafe and a restaurant located here. Gorge Harbour is another popular stopping stop on southwest Cortes, with a marina, anchorage, a restaurant, a cafe and hiking trails.
Whaletown Bay in the west has anchorage and a public wharf, as well as a general store with basic provisions and good ice cream. Hathayim Marine Park in narrow Von Donop Inlet on the eastern side of the island has many quiet lagoons and peaceful anchorages to discover. Also on the eastern side, Squirrel Cove is one of the most popular cruising stops on Cortes because it's located across from the entrance to Desolation Sound. Excellent anchorage is found throughout the cove, and Marilyn's Salmon, the only restaurant in the area, has its own smokehouse and offers good, traditional First Nations food.
|
The Outer Islands
The rest of the Discovery Islands are referred to as the Outer Islands, and include East and West Redonda at the mouth of Desolation Sound. West Redonda Island offers two popular marine parks, Teakerne Arm Marine and Roscoe Bay, while East Redonda includes Pendrell Sound -- known to have the warmest salt water north of Mexico in the summer months. Read, Maurelle and Sonora Islands, just across the Oksollo Channel from Quadra Island, all offer areas to discover, while East and West Thurlow Islands, a bit further north, provide for peaceful cruising.
» Click here to book your Discovery Islands Yacht Charter.
|
|
