Some of my favourite boating destinations aren’t planned months in advance. They’re discovered because the anchorage is peaceful, the weather is calm, and someone mentions, “There’s a really good restaurant just around the corner.” That’s exactly how I found Mañana Resort & Marina in Ladysmith Harbour.
When arriving at Ladysmith, I had wanted to anchor between Dunsmuir and Bute Island at the entrance to Ladysmith Harbour. There are six stern tie pins on Bute Island, but the wind was blowing across, so I preferred to swing on the hook. When I arrived, there was only one open space near the log booms. It turns out this spot is quite exposed to the waves from boats coming and going to the harbour, so next time I would anchor further in.
Mañana Resort & Marina. Reservations at Manana are worth the phone call. I had originally tried to reserve a table online, but the time we wanted wasn’t available. Normally, I would have assumed they were fully booked and moved on. Instead, I picked up the phone, and I’m glad I did. The staff couldn’t have been more accommodating.
If you’re making reservations, here’s my one insider tip. Ask for a table beside the glass railing on the patio. From there, you have an uninterrupted view across the marina and harbour. Boats arrive throughout the evening, paddleboards drift by, and the changing light reflects off the water as dinner slowly unfolds.
The patio strikes that perfect balance between relaxed and elegant, comfortable enough for boat shoes and fleece jackets, but polished enough to feel like a destination rather than simply somewhere to eat.
Mañana has been extensively redeveloped into a waterfront destination that combines a boutique inn, full-service marina, and harbour-front dining all overlooking beautiful Ladysmith Harbour. The entire property has been thoughtfully designed around people who arrive by water.
For visiting boaters, amenities include:
- Over 2,000 feet of guest moorage with slips for vessels from 38 to 80 feet and linear moorage for much larger boats, including visitor and transient moorage.
- Note, the dinghy dock is around the back of the main dock, closest to the shore and gathering spot. It is only suitable for small dinghies. I was told by the dock staff that the dinghy dock area was too shallow for my 18-foot boat, and I needed to tie up on B Dock for a $10.50 fee.
- Ladysmith’s only marine fuel dock
- Pump-out facilities
- Potable water on the docks
- High-speed Wi-Fi
- Modern washrooms, showers, and coin laundry
- Kayak and paddleboard rentals
- Beautiful gardens and waterfront walking areas
- Outdoor lawn games
- Free parking for guests
- A boutique inn with ocean-view suites if crew members prefer to stay ashore
- The excellent waterfront “1948 Bar & Bistro” overlooking the marina
Everything feels new, clean, and carefully considered without losing the relaxed atmosphere that makes boating destinations memorable.
An Outstanding Rendezvous Destination. While we were at Mañana, a Catalina Rendezvous was taking place. Seeing dozens of boats together made something immediately obvious. This property was practically built for yacht club gatherings.
The resort includes a covered social dock complete with picnic tables, string lights and a large barbecue, plus an expansive waterfront lawn that can accommodate larger gatherings. Between the marina, gardens, and restaurant, an entire weekend itinerary could be planned without anyone ever needing to leave the property. If you’re involved with a yacht club or boating association, I’d absolutely put Mañana on the shortlist for future rendezvous weekends.
We finished dinner with an Espresso martini, complete with a smoke flare. It was delicious.
These are the evenings I remember most. Not because we travelled a great distance or checked another destination off a list, but because everything came together so effortlessly. A beautiful anchorage, friendly people, a good meal, and a peaceful ride home.
It’s another reminder that some of the best boating days aren’t about how far you cruise. They’re about finding those special places that make you want to come back again.
Article by Melissa (Missy) Gervais
Waggoner Field Correspondent
Photos: Melissa Gervais
