The inaptly named Desolation Sound is a place of extraordinary beauty. It’s one of the Northwest’s most dreamed-about and sought-after cruising destinations. It offers a wilderness setting, generally easy waters, many bays and coves to explore and anchor in, and marinas where fuel and supplies are available. Located literally just beyond the end of the road, it’s the next stop as you head north from the Sunshine Coast at the end of the Strait of Georgia. Departing from Vancouver or Seattle area, it may take as long as a week to arrive depending on speed, weather, and stops on the way. It will be worth the trip.
Top Destinations
Desolation Sound
Prideaux Haven • Homfray Lodge • Pendrell Sound • Refuge Cove • Teakerne Arm • Toba Inlet
Cortes Island
Squirrel Cove • Cortes Bay • Von Donop Inlet • Gorge Harbour
Quadra Island
Rebecca Spit • Heriot Bay • Octopus Islands • Okisollo Channel
Discovery Passage
Campbell River • April Point • Brown Bay • Small Inlet
Plan Out Your Trip
Desolation Sound is fully covered in the latest Waggoner Cruising Guide. It provides all you need about marinas, anchorages, passages, and attractions. Plan your day’s route with the guide’s detailed planning maps. Get your copy of the Waggoner Cruising Guide book!
Plus, there’s more to help you plan a great cruise through Desolation Sound. Read on…
Join the Campaign to Protect 100 Acres at Prideaux Haven!
BC Parks Foundation has launched a crowdfunding campaign to protect 100 acres at Prideaux Haven in Desolation Sound – one of the most treasured anchorages in the Pacific Northwest, and one of British Columbia’s most dramatic marine areas. This campaign gives the...
Watching Eagles Hunt Hake, Gillard Pass
I have seen Bald eagles do many impressive things—soaring, screeching, looking deeply symbolic on Royal Mint collectable coins—but this week, I watched them fish. Not just swoop-and-grab fishing, but full-on, buffet-style, synchronized hunting. I was staying at the...
Toba Wilderness, a Rugged Beauty
There are moments on the water when the scenery just grabs you by the soul and whispers, “Stop here. Stay awhile.” Today, that whisper turned into a full-blown serenade as I pulled into Toba Wilderness Marina, tucked like a hidden gem at the mouth of the mighty Toba...
Quirky Finds on Cortes Island
Just when I thought I knew the quirks of the Discovery Islands, along comes this eccentric, magical little speck on the map to remind me that British Columbia still has secrets. I recently spent a few days exploring the island, uncovering “Who Cooks for You?” and...
Stern-tie Lessons at Prideaux Haven
The June Waggoner Flotilla is well-underway with reports coming in from Ashley Ripley, co-captain and co-flotilla leader, you can read all their adventures HERE. https://waggonerguide.com/2025-waggoner-guided-flotilla-group-ii/. The following is taken from one of...
What’s In a Name? – Toba Inlet
Have you ever wondered how a community, waterway, or cove got its name? Our theme for the 2025 edition of the Waggoner Cruising Guide delves into the history and background of how some of our boating destinations received their name. The history of Toba Inlet...
Meet the New Hosts at Toba Wilderness Marina
Boaters have been sending in reports about the delightful new hosts at Toba Wilderness Marina. Paul and Nahanni extend a warm welcome and are extraordinarily helpful and accommodating to their guests. As boaters themselves, Paul and Nahanni understand the needs and...
A Delightful Find in Gowlland Harbour
Beautiful Gowlland Harbour, located northeast of Campbell River across Discovery Passage, is a favorite anchorage and a great place to explore by dinghy. It seems a world away from the busy town of Campbell River. We always enjoy the harbour’s peaceful setting. On a...
Summer Reading – Return to Solitude
Return to Solitude is the second book on Desolation Sound by Grant Lawrence, and it deserves to be on your summer reading list. His first book was Adventures in Solitude – What not to wear to a naked potluck and other stories from Desolation Sound. I was initially...
Nuyumbalees Cultural Centre – Historic Potlatch Collection
Located on Quadra Island across Discovery Passage from Campbell River is the village of Yaculta near Cape Mudge, home to the Nuyumbalees Cultural Centre, housing an excellent collection of original potlatch regalia. Nuyumbalees is considered the sister museum of the...
Let’s Talk Trash
Boaters seem to be anxious about trash, getting it off their boat that is – we don’t seem to mind paying $7 per pound for wine, $2 per pound for toilet paper, and we are ready to pay $1 per pound for gas. So why do we sometimes feel hesitant when asked to pay by the...
Fish Farms Being Phased Out – Discovery Islands
While out cruising this 2022 season, boaters may have found that many fish farms noted on their nautical charts for the Discovery Islands and the Broughtons are no longer physically there, or are in the process of being removed. When cruising these B.C. Islands in...
The Laughing Oyster Restaurant
Where can you get great food, fabulous views, and unwind in casual elegance? The Laughing Oyster Restaurant, located in Okeover Inlet, consistently delivers great food in a relaxed atmosphere. Boaters who spend time in Desolation Sound, can head down...
How Do They Get Tomatoes To Refuge Cove?
Have you ever thought about how a remote marina like Refuge Cove can have such a well-stocked store with fresh produce Boaters who come to cruise the Desolation Sound region know that the store at Refuge Cove will be ready for them, stocked with all the...
2017 Cruising with the Landons
Recreational boaters since the early 1980's; Managing Editors, Lorena and Leonard Landon of the popular Waggoner Cruising Guide share their cruising adventures in 2017 on their blog. Living among the Islands Jennis Bay has approximately 300 feet of moorage...