pirates cove and winter cove
Date: August 8, 2019
Time Start: 3:45 p.m.
Time Finish: 5:45 p.m.
Cruise From: Newcastle Island, Nanaimo
Cruise To: Pirates Cove
Engine Hours Start: 1082
Engine Hours Finish: 1084
Weather/sea conditons: Sunny with S.E. winds, sloppy, upper 70's
We leave Newcastle Island in mid afternoon, wanting to transit Dodd Narrows at slack tide. The water taxi is leaving the island, too, taking passengers back to Nanaimo. We pass the Dinghy Pub, a popular spot for visitors from Nanaimo. It will have to be on our list for our next visit.
Time Start: 3:45 p.m.
Time Finish: 5:45 p.m.
Cruise From: Newcastle Island, Nanaimo
Cruise To: Pirates Cove
Engine Hours Start: 1082
Engine Hours Finish: 1084
Weather/sea conditons: Sunny with S.E. winds, sloppy, upper 70's
We leave Newcastle Island in mid afternoon, wanting to transit Dodd Narrows at slack tide. The water taxi is leaving the island, too, taking passengers back to Nanaimo. We pass the Dinghy Pub, a popular spot for visitors from Nanaimo. It will have to be on our list for our next visit.
The cliffs of Gabriola Island shine white in the distance. The rock faces are used heavily by sea birds, especially for nesting by cormorants. One of the B.C. ferries leaves Nanaimo, passing off our bow.
It's Narrows time! Dan powers up and in we go. We are out in no time. He is becoming a pro at this!
The S.E. winds are strong enough to create waves that get NORTH STAR wet and salty again.
We pull into Pirates Cove and find an available stern tie chain near the entrance. It is a tight squeeze to back in between already stern tied boats, but we manage to get the task done. Such fun!
Young boaters are invited to select a toy from the treasure chest. We're ready for a swim as the afternoon is still warm. It's a cold dip as the water is 68 degrees on the surface, and with the wind blowing, well, brrr! We get goosebumps.
Date: August 9, 2019
Time Start: 11:45 a.m.
Time Finish: 3:45 p.m.
Cruise From: Pirates Cove
Cruise To: Winter Cove, Saturna Island
Engine Hours Start: 1084
Engine Hours Finish: 1088
Weather/sea conditions: Gray morning, clearing, S.E. breeze
We relax in Pirates Cove before releasing our stern tie and pulling up the anchor. Cruising is mellow as we pass between Ruxton and Valdez Islands in Pylades Channel, continue in Trincomali Channel and head to Winter Cove. Our anchor goes down, with a view toward Boat Pass.
Date: August 9, 2019
Time Start: 11:45 a.m.
Time Finish: 3:45 p.m.
Cruise From: Pirates Cove
Cruise To: Winter Cove, Saturna Island
Engine Hours Start: 1084
Engine Hours Finish: 1088
Weather/sea conditions: Gray morning, clearing, S.E. breeze
We relax in Pirates Cove before releasing our stern tie and pulling up the anchor. Cruising is mellow as we pass between Ruxton and Valdez Islands in Pylades Channel, continue in Trincomali Channel and head to Winter Cove. Our anchor goes down, with a view toward Boat Pass.
The park on shore is part of the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve and has a dinghy dock. Trails go along the shore and through forest to Boat Pass, a narrow opening that connects the cove with the Strait of Georgia. Currents run fast through the pass (see the flood video and ebb in 2017), and we enjoy taking the trail to the overlook above.
Attention gets shifted to the skies as the sun drops. The cloud formations are just perfect for reflecting the colors of the end of the day. It is a sunset to savor, and it lasts and lasts as the colors change and fade away.