Christine Rondeau
While calm at times, the weather and water can kick up without warning – be prepared with the proper navigation skills.
Words by Steve Fennell
Boating throughout the Gulf Islands is a wonderful experience. Exploring rustic communities, visiting exciting Canadian attractions, observing active marine life, and enjoying on-water activities all await adventurous recreational boaters.
Traveling by boat to Salt Spring Island is an incredible journey from Vancouver, Victoria or the many ports from all points of the compass. Whether it’s your first time navigating the Gulf Islands or your tenth, not a line should be left untied or the ignition key turned without having all the essential safety gear, knowledge of proper navigation skills, having up-to-date-charts, or understanding BC Coast weather patterns. Although not to overshadow all of the great benefits of the region, proper preparation is key to enjoying a trip to this island destination.
“A lot of people don’t understand the water conditions can be treacherous throughout the Gulf Islands,” says Jeremy Milsom, long-time island resident and owner of The Salt Spring Inn in Ganges. “Some areas have ebb and flow tides of just ten feet, and there are some areas that are not marked. So, becoming familiar with the area with up-to-date charts and/or electronic navigation is very important for safe passage.”
A. Davey
Whether you’re coming, going, or enjoying the many immediate boating areas for a few days, conditions can change like the weather (pun intended) as rough weather can kick up with little warning. So, having a “plan b” is always recommended, be it a cove to ride out inclement weather, knowing of an alternate more protected passage, or simply realizing when to turn back to port.
A prime course where weather and ocean conditions can worsen in a heartbeat is the Georgia Strait. This popular passage runs north-south between Vancouver and Vancouver Island and is known among locals to become quite rough due to a south-east prevailing wind, which commonly creates a “tunnel effect,” thus causing more adverse conditions. It’s worth noting that the same prevailing wind can be experienced in most harbours around Salt Spring as well.
“Two the better known routes from Vancouver is either Porlier Pass,* which can be more exposed to the south easterlies with little place to ride out weather or the more preferred passage, Active Pass,” says Milsom. “Active Pass is not quite as exposed and there are more areas to ride out inclement weather. Nonetheless, boaters also need to be aware of different tide times as well as the strong currents that can be up to six knots.”
While there are many services for recreational boaters at the three main marinas such as Salt Spring Marina, Ganges Marina and the Harbor Authority of Salt Spring Island, boaters still need to bring along extra fuel, water and other additional supplies.
Amelia Pergl
The gangway from one of the marinas in Ganges Harbour.
“Most of the Gulf Islands are quite rustic and boaters need to plan for fuel and water, and know which of the marinas on the island are open, and offer fuel and water,” suggests Milsom. “Some places don’t offer potable water during certain times of the year and garbage disposal may also be limited.”
Nonetheless, once settled in a transient slip, the opportunities to explore the area are endless with a series of additional accommodations to use as a home base. A series of trail networks are provided for hiking and biking, plus there’s the Salt Spring Island Golf & Country Club, which is a nine-hole, 3032-yard, par 36 track consisting of gently rolling fairways, challenging water hazards and old growth forest. It’s a public course where families and kids are allowed. It’s very walkable and a great place for a quick round.
However, if it’s water activities you enjoy, the choices are endless. Kayaking, diving, fishing, whale watching and paddle boarding are just a few, with charters and guides available for many of these activities. Yet, if you and your crew just want to anchor and relax the day away, the bluffs on the west side of Pender Island is popular in the summer.
Planning a trip and visiting Salt Spring Island is a bucket list item you can enjoy over and over again. With proper organization, research, boating skills, and navigational knowledge of the area, a visit through the Gulf Islands and to Salt Spring Island will be a satisfying journey of discovery and relaxation.
Paul Albertella
Salt Spring Inn: Down-Home Island Hospitality
More than a viable option to stay at for a few days with quiet, comfortable accommodations, on-site dining and several services, The Salt Spring Inn has seven, fully-furnished rooms in a quaint setting with minimal traffic compared to that of larger resorts.
What’s more, The Salt Spring Inn ideally serves as a great home base to enjoy all activities on the water and all the attractions on land. It’s close by to Ganges Marina and the many unique shopping and dining opportunities in the rustic community of Ganges. Another marina near the Salt Spring Inn is the extensively-renovated Salt Spring Marina that you will want to consider checking out. If you feel like a little relaxation over a good meal, there’s Moby’s Pub right next door with a diverse menu, a great patio and even live music.
If you want to see more of Salt Spring, scenic Fulford Harbor is less than a 20-minute drive while Ruckle Provincial Park is less than 30 minutes. Yet, if you just feel like enjoying the amenities of the inn, you won’t be disappointed.
“We’ve been seeing more and more recreational boaters in the last few years,” says Milsom. “They range from couples, to groups that don’t have the extra accommodations on their boat. We also offer great dining options, and provide a great place to stay, relax for a few days or more, to see what Salt Spring Island is all about.”
More Highlights at a Glance:
- Located just across from Salt Spring Island Visitor Information Centre
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms
- All rooms have a flat-screen TV
- Luxurious pillow-top mattress
- Deluxe Rooms feature a fireplace, a private bath and views of the bay
- Fireplace in the lounge
The atmosphere and dining options are also impressive at the on-site Salt Spring Inn Restaurant. While inviting on the inside with its stylish, warm decor, dining experiences are enhanced with views of the bay from its outdoor patio. In the evening, the spacious dining room serves everything from expertly prepared sea food and pasta to gourmet pizza, vegetarian dishes and vegan cuisine. Or, perhaps plan for its weekend brunch to experience even more freshness and variety.
“We offer consistent quality every season and are known to be a reliable place to stay on Salt Spring,” added Milsom. “The inn is open every day from 8 am to 10 pm and we continuously forge ahead with our many services. Plus, there are many established trails on the island, which encourages people to enjoy walks, hikes, mountain bike, and take in more of the natural activities here.”
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Salt Spring Inn
Highlights of the Salt Spring Inn.
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Salt Spring Inn
Highlights of the Salt Spring Inn.
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Salt Spring Inn
Highlights of the Salt Spring Inn.
Tune into Safe Boating Essentials
Nothing can ruin a trip faster than a mishap on the water caused by weather, lack of experience or boater error. It makes sense to know all about the safety regulations set out by Transport Canada, as well as understanding the proper navigation skills, and pertinent weather resources. There are a number of boating safety regulations and resources to learn – and live by – while on the water.
To begin with, purchase an edition of Transport Canada’s Boating Safety Guide for pleasure craft. Even if you have a Pleasure Craft Operators Card (PCOC), it doesn’t necessarily mean you remember everything so brushing up your boating knowledge is always a good idea. Better yet, enrolling in a Canadian Power Squadron Course in your area is always a sound option (if you haven’t done so already). There’s a range of courses available including Boating Basics, Beyond Boating Basics, Maritime Radio Courses, Electronic Navigation Courses, to name a few. For all the details visit http://www.boatingcourses.ca/
For all other essential safe boating information visit the website of the Office of Boating Safety at https://www.tc.gc.ca.