Favourite Ports of Call

Heriot Bay Marina, Quadra Island

Do you find yourself returning to favourite destinations? We do, especially in our boat on the Strait of Georgia. Within two hours we can reach half a dozen marinas. If we anchor, there are dozens of bays to choose from.

The weather has been perfect for cruising, sunny, not too hot and light wind. We took advantage of five days of good weather to return to two favourite ports of call, Campbell River on Vancouver Island and Heriot Bay on Quadra.

Campbell River is midway up Vancouver Island's east coast. There are three marinas: Fisherman's Wharf, Coast Marina and Discovery Harbour. Discovery Harbour is our favourite. It's next to the fuel dock and Discovery Harbour Centre with restaurants, stores and shops.

Campbell River is a great resupply spot for boaters. It's also a major centre for fishing, whale watching and large animal tours. Our moorage spot was next to a fish station. Harbour seals were benefiting from the Chinook salmon run.

A harbour seal waiting for a fisherman to finish cleaning his catch.

After two nights in Campbell River we went to the Heriot Bay Inn on nearby Quadra Island. They have a quiet marina that almost always has space. We usually call ahead to make sure. They have fuel, a restaurant and pub, and there's a grocery store within walking distance,.

The Inn has well maintained grounds with places to sit in the shade of mature maple trees. It's a perfect place to kick back, relax and read.

Dock time at Heriot Bay.

We almost overstayed our welcome. What was forecast as 5 to 15 winds from the southwest turned out to be more like steady 15 or more. The swells were tall with deep troughs by the time they ran all the way to the northern Strait of Georgia.

Rain follows us all the way home to Powell River.

Wayne slowed from our normal 20 to 5 knots. With my new armrest I felt secure, but it couldn't eliminate the pounding. Once we rounded Hernando Island we were in the lee of the wind driven waves. We used up another fair weather stretch.

You don't have to have a boat to enjoy Campbell River or Heriot Bay. BC Ferries can get you and your car there for the adventure of a lifetime. -- Margy