What’s there to explore?
With over 60 kilometers of shoreline and water, Desolation Sound Marine Park is the largest marine park in British Columbia. Known as a “boater’s paradise”, the islands, coves, and numerous small bays make up the unique shoreline with lots to see and do. Water temperatures are warm in the summer and ideal for swimming or scuba diving, paired with scenic hikes to viewpoints and freshwater lakes make Desolation Sound one of the most exciting areas to explore by boat.
Beautiful Desolation Sound
One of the first stops when venturing into Desolation Sound for many boaters is Cortes Bay. The bay is protected on all sides by land, except for a narrow entrance that opens to the sea. There’s public moorage available in Cortes Bay, along with outstations for the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club and Seattle Yacht Club. Gorge Harbour Marina is also a popular choice for boaters wanting to fuel up and replenish water on board. Be sure to keep an eye on your charts if you’re coming from the north and entering from Uganda Passage through the shallow sand spit.
Gorge Harbour Marina
Other popular anchorages and protected bays include Prideaux Haven, Tenedo’s Bay, and Grace Harbour. When visiting Prideaux Haven, Laura Cove and Melanie Cove are two popular anchorages with plenty of chains and trees along the shoreline to tie up. It can get be fairly busy along the shoreline during the cruising season, but swinging on anchor in the bay is also an option, just remember to leave enough swing room and stay outside of the main channel.
Sun sets at Melanie Cove in Prideaux Haven
Pendrell Sound and Roscoe Bay are two other popular anchorages on the other side of the main channel in Desolation Sound. Pendrell Sound’s warm water temperatures are perfect for swimming enthusiasts.
Calm and warm waters of Pendrell Sound
Many boaters also find themselves stopping by Refuge Cove during their journey to resupply their groceries, fuel, and water on board. If you’re anchored close by, feel free to hop over in a dinghy and tie up to the dinghy dock on site.
There’s many things to do while in Desolation Sound, and the Dent Island Lodge provides some of the most unique experiences for boaters in the area. The high-end lodge has over 1,200 feet of moorage all with shore power and water, an array of guest rooms, a beautiful restaurant offering some of the most decadent dishes, and lots of activities. For many boaters venturing to Desolation Sound, Dent Island Lodge is the perfect stop for relaxing.
Dent Island Lodge
The lodge offers unique jetboat tours that allow guests to see the famous Dent rapids and marine life around the area. There’s also guided fishing tours for some of the best salmon fishing in the Pacific Northwest, and glacier helicopter tours to see some of the most remote glaciers in British Columbia.
Helicopter tours are also available through 49 North Helicopters from Toba Wilderness Marina, also located in desolation sound. Although there’s no lodging available, the marina has over 1,400 feet of concrete floats with power, fresh water, satellite internet WiFi, garbage drop off, and hot showers on site, along with easy-to-follow trails for those looking to explore the area.
Glacier helicopter tours departing from Dent Island Lodge
These are only some of the many treasures of Desolation Sound. Ready to plan your cruise? Get in touch with our team!
