Bull Harbour

We planned our departure from Port McNeill around 9:50 am to catch some portion of the favorable current heading our way. The morning was dead calm with flat seas and though the wind picked up some, it was a great 5-hour ride. There was not a lot of boat traffic, other than some smaller fishing boats in and around Port Hardy. We saw some porpoises along the way, but they were busy and did not come over to swim in our bow wake.

Just north of Port McNeill there is a massive gravel quarry. The only evidence of it from the seaward side is the impressive conveyor belt used to load barges.

pulteney point lighthouse

idyllic weather ahead

idyllic weather behind. We’re engulfed in the most pleasent of conditions.

Our destination, Bull Harbour, is the classic last stop before rounding Cape Scott. We’ve launched our West Coast of Vancouver Island Trips from here before (2012, 2018).

Bull Harbour is a nice functional anchorage – very well protected. There is a main dock in the bay run by the local tribe. There are no additional services such as water or power offered for the fee they collect. There is a big sign at the top of the ramp that effectively says, no access. This is echoed on their website.

Restricted access to First Nations land appears to be a trend. In the case of Bull Harbour, it’s a shame, as the walk to and view from Roller Beach is fun and worthwhile. The website alludes to the tribe working on a plan to reopen visitor access, which would be very welcome.

In Goletas Channel, we were behind a tug called the Island Yarder. Turns out he was headed into Bull Harbour about the same time as we were. There is a large fish farm at the entrance, and that is where he headed to deliver his load.

We were the 3rd boat in the anchorage, joining S/V Viking Spirit and S/V Cookie Cutter. Three more boats joined us later that afternoon. In total, there were 2 power boats and 4 sailboats, with 2 tied to the main dock and one anchored in near the free-floating dock nearer the harbour entry which was used by a boat from the fish farm to overnight.

Bull Harbour MAin Dock. False channel seen on the right.

floating dock in the entrance channel to bull harbour

The weather forecast is very good for tomorrow at the Cape. We’ll keep monitoring the forecasts and buoy reports as our departure time approaches.