Top Destinations
Gulf Islands & Nearby
Victoria • Sidney • Butchart Gardens • Chemainus • Wallace Island • Pirates Cove • Nanaimo
Saltspring Island
Ganges • Vesuvius • Fulford Harbour
North & South Pender Island
Bedwell Harbour • Port Browning • Otter Bay
Galiano Island
Sturdies Bay • Montague Harbour
Plan Out Your Trip
The Gulf Islands are 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 the Gulf Islands. Read on…
Fines From Transport Canada – What to Do?
Sanctuary Zones. Two Interim Sanctuary Zones established by Government Canada are in effect once again from June 1 through November 30 for the 2023 boating season – vessels are prohibited in the area off the southwest shore of North Pender Island, and the area off the...
AquaLink is Back!
AquaLink, a water taxi service that provides scheduled trips to 5 different destinations in the Southern Gulf Islands is operating May through October for the 2023 season. AquaLink provides the option to visit several islands without taking your own boat, or allows...
Restricted Waters Extended in BC – Boaters Beware!
Transport Canada has confirmed that the two Interim Sanctuary Zones – one off Pender Island and the other off Saturna Island, are in effect from June 1 to November 30 again for this year’s cruising season, 2023. These no-go sanctuary zones are set aside to protect...
Delightful Page’s Resort & Marina at Silva Bay
One of the most delightful destinations in the Gulf Islands is Silva Bay on the southeast end of Gabriola Island. Rather than negotiate Dodd Narrows or False Narrows to Nanaimo, why not transit Gabriola Passage to beautiful Silva Bay, hidden behind the Flat Top...
New Mooring Buoys at D’Arcy Island
Parks Canada, with funding from BC Marine Parks Forever Society, has recently installed two new guest moorage buoys on the east side of D’Arcy Island. These mooring buoys make it much easier for boaters to visit this Marine Park Reserve. Anchorage is possible on the...
Conover Cove, Wallace Island
One of my favourite marine park anchorages is Conover Cove on Wallace Island. The island is 72 hectares in size and is located in the Trincomali Channel between Galiano Island and the northern tip of Salt Spring Island. Wallace Island consists of the Marine Park with...
Gulf Islands No-Go Restricted Areas Reminder! Avoid a $1,000,000 Fine
When heading out boating this season, boaters are reminded to stay outside of the No-Go Sanctuary Zones established in the Gulf Islands to protect Southern Resident Killer Whales (Orcas). Last season a number of boaters received registered letters in the mail from...
Discover the Hand of Man at Maple Bay
Did you know that an extensive private collection of world culture is tucked just above the small community of Maple Bay on Vancouver Island? This exceptional museum is now open for public viewing. Boaters can easily visit this museum by mooring their boat at Maple...
Dodd Narrows – When Not To Make a Securité Call
During the prime cruising season, twice a day around slack water at Dodd Narrows, Channel 16 is filled with Securité announcements from traffic passing through the Narrows. All too often, these announcements are transmitted with the boat’s VHF radio on 25-watt “High...
Newcastle Island, Nanaimo B.C. – A Colorful Past
Beautiful Newcastle Island has long been a favorite destination among boaters who come to enjoy the open fields, forest trails, expansive views, and intriguing beaches. Lovely camp sites offer picnic facilities and covered barbecue group settings. The island is a...
No-Go Zones in Gulf Islands and San Juans
Boaters should be aware of two seasonal No-Go Zones in the Gulf Islands, and the one year-round voluntary No-Go Zone in the San Juan Islands. Gulf Islands. There are two designated Sanctuary Zones in the Gulf Islands where boats are not allowed. Both No-Go zones are...
Fall Harvest at Salt Spring Cider House on Salt Spring Island
Picking and pressing wild apples from the orchards on Salt Spring Island is a labor of love for Salt Spring Wild Cider House, a craft cider business located at 151 Sharp Road on Salt Spring Island. Yes, they make artisan craft ciders from pears, too! There are over...
Lamb Barbeque – Saturna Island
Every year the Island folk of Saturna invite boaters, and those wishing to ride the BC Ferries, to join them for a family-style Lamb Barbeque with 1200 of your best new friends, a tradition that has lasted over 70 years. July 1st, Canada Day, is the date to anchor...
Surprising Finds at Port Browning with Island Hospitality
Departing Roche Harbor on San Juan Island, we made our way across Haro Strait into Canadian waters and cleared customs in Sidney on Vancouver Island. After clearing customs, we headed for Port Browning on North Pender Island to check out the reported dock...
Victoria BC – Where do you get a fine meal in this Foodie Town?
Coming into the harbour of this beautiful city is a joy and a special experience. There is nothing quite as impressive as Victoria from the water. The sight of the Empress Hotel brought cries of “let’s get off the boat tonight and go out for dinner.”...