Culpepper Lagoon Cove to Windy Bay

The sun was still with us as we awoke, but the forecast is for clouds to build for the next couple of days. But with no rain in the forecast for a few more days, we’re more than happy.

Today’s tides allowed us to have a lazy morning, as our departure wasn’t until early afternoon (high slack is the same time as high water at Tom Bay). As we haven’t seen a soul for days, it was great fun to suddenly see one dinghy, two kayaks and 2 paddle boards coming down the lagoon towards us. Karen stepped out to chat with one of the kayakers. The entourage was from the S/V Walkabout Catamaran anchored outside the lagoon entrance at the head of Kynoch Inlet. We often think we are crazy living in Philadelphia but keeping our boat in Bellingham. These guys have us beat. They live in Australia and keep their boat in Sidney! They chatted for a while, and we learned that they saw bears out there are well – including some mating activity. Apparently they are now scarred for life.

As the afternoon approached, we hauled anchor and were 20 minutes early to the lagoon entrance. We had about 1.5kts of current on the bow as we exited. AIt was easy to maintain a course into the main flow as it got squeezed through the narrows.

As for depth, we saw 23 Feet on a +13.9 tide at Tom Bay. That would equate to 10 feet under the boat at zero tide, so I would only attempt a passage at low tide on a dead slack flow.

Unlike what you may think, it is best not to make your turn to the left  immediately after exiting the narrows. The water is shallower there than on the mud flat side. It is charted, but it is a surprise to see your depth finder coming up as you leave the narrows if you turn too soon.

As the folks from Walkabout Catamaran had mentioned, the wind was quite brisk at the end of Knock Inlet with a moderate white-capped chop. The catamaran and another boat were definitely pitching a big at anchor.  What a change to see after so many days of winds less than 5 knots and calm waters at the head of the lagoon.

This afternoon wind effect is quite common in Kynoch Inlet, and you need to have adequate scope as you set your anchor with the stern to the mud flats.

You cannot tansit kynoch inlet without taking a photo of the signature waterfall at lessum lake

As predicted, the clouds start to build, but we cannot complain after the stellar conditions we enjoyed at Culpepper Lagoon. Our trip through Hiekish Narrows to Windy Bay was uneventful with lovely scenery. We anchored behind the little island in the same spot as we did two years ago. We were all alone until late in the evening, when we were joined by a small sailboat.