Dogfish Bay & Wakes Cove – A Hidden Gem for Boaters Exploring BC’s Coast

If you’re looking for a quiet, scenic, and slightly off-the-beaten-path boating destination in BC, Dogfish Bay and Wakes Cove Provincial Park should be on your radar. Located on Valdes Island, this area offers a unique mix of natural beauty, marine history, and peaceful anchorage spots—making it a perfect stop on your next Vancouver boating adventure.

Navigating Gabriola Passage

Dogfish Bay is often used as a holding spot when transiting Gabriola Passage, a narrow waterway that connects the Strait of Georgia to the inner Gulf Islands. This mile-long passage separates Gabriola and Valdes Islands, and can be a challenging stretch for boaters—especially in spring, when currents can hit 8 knots, creating standing waves, whirlpools, and eddies.

The passage floods east and ebbs west, and its narrowest section is just 394 feet wide between Cordero and Josef Points, with a depth of 98 feet. During the busy summer cruising season, it can get congested—making a stop in nearby Dogfish Bay both practical and relaxing.

Anchorage at Dogfish Bay

Dogfish Bay lies just northeast of Valdes Island, protected by Kendrick Island, and offers a safe, scenic anchorage in the lee. The West Vancouver Yacht Club maintains an outstation on Kendrick, with floats and mooring buoys reserved for members only.

However, there’s plenty of room for visitors! The best place to anchor is north of the club’s floats, in 25 to 40 feet of water over a mud and sand bottom—excellent holding. Just be cautious if you venture south of the buoys, the water shoals quickly and kelp and rocks become more noticeable.

The views here are incredible, with Kendrick’s sandstone shoreline displaying incredible formations and sea caves, shaped by centuries of wave action. A dinghy or kayak is the perfect way to explore this natural artistry up close.

Fishing & Recreation

For those looking to combine cruising with sport fishing, Dogfish Bay is near some of the Strait of Georgia’s most popular fishing grounds. After a full day chasing salmon or bottom fish, many anglers head here for a calm, sheltered overnight stay.

Wakes Cove Provincial Park

Less than a mile from Dogfish Bay (an easy dinghy ride through Gabriola Passage), you’ll find the peaceful and remote Wakes Cove Provincial Park. Established in 2002, this 205-hectare park is accessible only by small boat—no roads, no camping, no crowds.

The Marine Parks Forever Society, supported by the local boating community, helped secure both the land and 73 hectares of foreshore, preserving the area for future generations. The park features a small public pier and float, but the other docks and buoys in the cove are privately owned.

Wakes Cove protects a beautiful stretch of coastal forest, including Douglas fir, Garry oak, and Arbutus trees, along with several rare and endangered plants.

Trails & Historic Sites

From the head of the pier, moss-covered roads serve as trails winding through the park. Take the left-hand path to explore the remains of an old homestead and orchard, with views looking out over Dogfish Bay and Kendrick Island.

Or, continue straight ahead or right to complete a full loop through the park, enjoying the peaceful forest setting. Trails are clearly marked, and signs indicate restricted areas and private property boundaries, which should always be respected.

Life on Valdes Island

Valdes Island supports a small community of seasonal and full-time residents, mostly centered at Starvation Bay on the north shore. Much of the land is private, and roughly one-third of the island is part of a First Nations Reserve belonging to the Lyackson First Nation.

The Lyackson are a Hulq’umin’um-speaking Coast Salish community with fewer than 200 members. The island is home to about 60 archaeological sites, including Indigenous burial grounds, offering evidence of human presence dating back nearly 5,000 years.

A Boater’s Tip

Some cruising guides note that anchoring in Wakes Cove can be tricky—holding may be unreliable, and you might encounter kelp, logging debris, and wake exposure. Remnants of an old steam donkey winch are visible on the western shoreline at low tide, hinting at the area’s industrial past. For most boaters, Dogfish Bay offers a better alternative for overnight anchorage.

Fun Facts

Why Add Dogfish Bay & Wakes Cove to Your Boating Itinerary?

When planning where to boat in BC, especially around the Gulf Islands, this quiet corner of Valdes Island offers the perfect mix of natural beauty, reliable anchorage, and cultural depth. Whether you’re cruising for the weekend or just looking for a place to wait for tide changes, Dogfish Bay and Wakes Cove are a boating BC experience you won’t want to miss.