British Columbia Anchorages
10 anchorages — depth, holding, shelter and shore access.
Montague Harbour Marine Park — Galiano Island
Gulf Islands
Montague Harbour Marine Park on Galiano Island is the classic first-night Gulf Islands anchorage — the destination most recommended to boats making their first crossing from the San Juan Islands. A large, well-protected bay with a white shell beach, mooring buoys and anchoring, and a BC Parks dock with facilities. The pub at Montague Harbour Marina is within dinghy range. Galiano Island extends 28 km to the north — narrow, forested, with Active Pass on the north tip providing one of the most dramatic passages in the Gulf Islands. Twenty nautical miles from Sidney; 20 nm from Roche Harbor, Washington.
Montague Harbour, Galiano Island
Gulf Islands
Galiano Island's signature anchorage — a wide, deeply indented harbour with excellent all-weather protection. Mooring buoys and anchoring in 15–35 ft over mud. Montague Harbour Marine Provincial Park has beach camping and hiking. White Shell Beach is one of the Gulf Islands' finest.
Prideaux Haven — Desolation Sound
Desolation Sound
Prideaux Haven is the most beloved anchorage in Desolation Sound Marine Park — a complex of interconnected coves and islets at the northeast corner of Malaspina Inlet that offers near-total protection and extraordinary warmth. Desolation Sound has the warmest sea surface temperatures north of Mexico on the Pacific Coast: 24°C (75°F) in July and August, warm enough for extended swimming. Prideaux Haven itself is a labyrinth of small passages and islets where boats tuck in bow-to-stern, stern lines tied to trees, and stay for days. This is where BC cruisers go when they have time to stop.
Prideaux Haven
Desolation Sound
Arguably the most beautiful anchorage on the BC coast — a labyrinth of islets, warm swimming water (70°F+ in summer), and forested granite shores. Desolation Sound Marine Park. Anchor in Melanie Cove or Laura Cove; both offer excellent holding in 20–40 ft.
Princess Bay, Portland Island
Gulf Islands
A gem of a provincial marine park in Haro Strait between Sidney and the San Juans. Dozens of mooring buoys and space to anchor in 20–35 ft. Walking trails through Garry Oak meadows, shell middens, and superb birdwatching. Very popular with both Canadian and US cruisers.
Princess Louisa Inlet — Chatterbox Falls Anchorage
Sunshine Coast
The anchorage at the head of Princess Louisa Inlet, beneath Chatterbox Falls, is the defining destination of BC coastal cruising. Access through Malibu Rapids requires timing within 30–45 minutes of slack water (currents reach 8–12 knots at max flow). Inside: a fjord 4 miles long, less than half a mile wide, granite walls rising 6,000 feet, and 60+ waterfalls draining into the inlet during snowmelt. Chatterbox Falls drops 120 feet directly into the anchorage. BC Parks dock and buoy field free of charge. No services — provision fully before entry.
Bedwell Harbour, South Pender Island
Gulf Islands
The primary Canadian customs entry port for boats arriving from the US San Juans. A wide, well-protected harbour with a resort marina, mooring buoys, and anchoring in 20–40 ft. The Poet's Cove Resort & Spa provides fuel, showers, restaurant, and Wi-Fi — a civilised landfall.
Refuge Cove
Desolation Sound
A classic Desolation Sound pit stop on West Redonda Island — diesel, gas, propane, groceries, showers, and Wi-Fi. Most cruisers dock rather than anchor, but there's room to swing in 30–40 ft off the fuel dock. A cold beer at the end of a long passage.
Smuggler Cove Marine Park
Sunshine Coast
Smuggler Cove is a BC Marine Park on the Sunshine Coast, 3 nautical miles south of Secret Cove and 12 nm north of Gibsons. The cove is reached through a narrow entrance that opens into a surprisingly large, completely protected anchorage — one of the most secure anchorages on the Sunshine Coast in all conditions. The name dates from Prohibition-era rum-running through the channel. Holding is excellent in mud, with anchoring in 15–35 ft. The surrounding park has walking trails through old-growth forest and rock outcrops with views across the Strait of Georgia. No fees, no services.
Squirrel Cove
Desolation Sound
A large, well-protected bay on the east side of Cortes Island with a general store, small marina, and reliable VHF 16 monitoring. Depths of 25–60 ft over good mud holding. The inner cove is reserved for local boats; anchor in the outer basin. Fuel at the dock.