Kendrick Island to Port Browning

Our original plan was to overnight in Lyall Harbour but the forecasted 25 knot westerly winds overnight indicated a change was prudent. We decided to go to Port Browning a day early.

As we had morning coffee and prepared to haul the anchor, we were entertained by eight river otters feeding in the shallows at low tide.

We went through Gabriola Pass about an hour after slack – had around 3 kts on the nose but it is such a short, straight, easy passage that there was no issue, even with opposing traffic.

As we headed down Tricomali channel, we were surprised at how few boats were out. Of course, that changed as we neared the more popular areas of the southern Gulf Islands.

To break up the trip today we planned to stop for a walk around Wallace Island, anchoring in Princess Bay. When we got there, there was just no room at the inn. So we changed plans and headed for Glenthorne Passage on Prevost Island and dropped anchor for lunch. We have a favorite spot toward the end of the Passage where you can look out to Captain Passage. This length of the Passage now has more permanent mooring balls than we remembered, right down the center of the fairway.

There were 4 boats already at anchor, but our spot was available. We had a nice lunch and enjoyed watching the traffic go through the gaps in the rocks.

As we departed after a 2-hour stop, 3 more boats made their way into the passage. We are most definitely in the height of the summer season.

The trip to Port Browning was uneventful, other than dodging local traffic and the BC ferry Coastal Inspiration.  We had it timed perfectly, the ferry took our stern. The anchorage at the head of Port Browning was very busy, but you can always find a spot if you take your time. The docks at the Port Browning Marina were also full. Mostly power vessels at the docks and overwhelmingly sailing vessels in the anchorage.

busy port browning

Happily anchored amidst the sailboats, we had a relaxing evening.