After leaving Von Donop Inlet, the next leg of our journey to the Broughton Archipelago took us through one of my favourite passages in BC: Hole in the Wall, a narrow passage between Read and Maurelle Islands that is known for it’s legendary tidal currents.
July 8, 2024
I’ve created an interactive map for you to explore—zoom in and out, follow each leg of the trip, and get a sense of our journey. Click on any of the maps to view the full interactive map
The key to a safe passage, like many of the places around these parts, is transiting at slack – that time when the current stops flowing for a few short minutes while it changes direction. That small window doesn’t last long, though, and it usually takes longer to get through than the slack allows, so you have to decide where the worst part of the passage is and plan to be there at the exact right moment.
There is always too much going on for me to take my hands off the wheel to make photos or put up the drone during this passage, so here’s a quick 1 minute timelapse from the fly bridge.
Once we made it through, we anchored among the islets of the Octopus Islands Marine Park, which, as always, are a playground for exploration.
This is the kind of place where drone photography shines — the water is like glass, reflecting everything with serene clarity. The boat floating amidst it all offers a sense of scale that’s breathtaking.
One of my favourite little treasures here is The Cabin — a tiny mariner’s museum nestled on a private island. These cabins pop up here and there along the coast, and they never fail to leave me in awe of the creativity of my fellow mariners.
This particular cabin was built in the 1970s, and though the island was sold decades ago, the new owners have honoured the tradition by keeping the museum open. Mariners from all over stop here, adding their own pieces of art and history to the collection.
Most people collect driftwood or use found objects from the beach to create a piece of artwork to leave in the cabin. It’s amazing what people create from the simplest things — driftwood sculptures, carved boats, fish made of old rope, found-object art from bits of seaweed, antlers, nets, and even family portraits and poems. In one small cabin, you can spend hours filled with the joy other people have shared.
I have yet to leave my own piece of history behind here, but next time I will.
While enjoying the peace of our anchorage, something extraordinary happened. Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a mink swimming by. It crawled up onto the rocks, clutching a huge black rockfish in its mouth. The fish was bigger then the mink! I couldn’t believe what I was seeing — moments like this are why I love life on the water.
And then, as if to top it all off, we were treated to one of those unforgettable west coast sunsets.
Even though Octopus Islands is one of my favourite anchorages, we only stayed for a night. A storm was on the way, and we needed to make tracks north to Forward Channel — a perfect spot to wait out the weather and position ourselves for the final hop into the Broughtons once the storm clears.
Next stop: Forward Harbour
We are so excited to see this post as you got a pic of our family and friends sign that we hung in 2016 (it was a pirate ship decorated by our two boys with six dolphins with our names and our friends on them)
Hi! I had to look through the photos to find it – those dolphins look amazing, what a fantastic idea. I’m glad my post could bring a smile to your face knowing that your art survived and is still being enjoyed by boaters every day. I haven’t put my own sign there yet so I’ll have to get creative and think of something for next time. Thanks for commenting and letting me know, I appreciate that.
Anne,
I really appreciate your photos of the cabin. My family was a part owner of “Octopus Island”. We spent summers there when I was around 16 or 17. My father and brothers built the cabin. It was just a frame (roof and floor) with some structural support.
We sure made some wonderful memories there.
Thank you for the trip down memory lane.
Hi Wendy, oh that is wonderful. What incredible summers you must have had there. I’m so glad that you enjoyed the photos. Thanks for your visit and comments.
As usual Anne your photos are spectacular!
Safe sailing!
What wonderful adventures! We are hoping to head up there next year so you are making me even more excited about what’s to come!!! Thank you!
Hi Lisa, oh cool, you are going to love it. Are you going to be going on a boat trip? There are a lot of beautiful things to see here, both on land and water. If you’re going to be doing a land based trip, I highly recommend taking a whale watching tour and you’ll see some incredible things.
We are full time liveaboards on a 42 foot Uniflite! So definitely by sea! Hoping to see the wildlife and stay in wonderful coves and bays!
Thanks so much. I grew up in the Pacific Northwest….we spent summers in the Islands….miss it so much.
Hi Janice! Thanks for taking the time to comment, I’m glad to hear you are enjoying the photos, especially as someone who used to live here. I miss it too when I am in the desert in the winter. But you live in Florida, right? I have only been there once. We spent a month though and I loved photographing all the birds you have down there. I hope to get there again one day.
Yes, we’ve been in NW FL (at least it’s NW! ) We’re about 50 miles north of Pensacola on the Panhandle. We have a great life here, but I do miss the PNW. The closest I get to bird photography is at my multiple feeders. I had a terrible time capturing the birds in Iceland! LOL. But, I did get a couple of OK puffin shots…
Just lovely. Wish I was there.
Thank you so much John, I’m glad you are enjoying the posts and photos, I appreciate it.
Thanks for the wonderful photos and we following your journey. You have some amazing wildlife photos that can only be taken if you’re can sit and wait for the that moment. We were in BC this time last year and have some good photos . I envy you and your travels. It is so beautiful , Unfortunately it is a long way from Sydney Australia .
Thanks again for the journey.
Hi Eric and Susan, thank you so much for following along and thanks for noticing the wildlife photos. You are so right, usually for wildlife I have to be there first, wait quietly and hope something happens. It never works out if I approach wildlife that is already there. Except sea lions, they don’t seem to care, haha. I’m glad to hear you enjoyed your time in BC. I hope to make it to your part of the world one day and see all the incredible animals you have. I’m a little worried about the giant bugs though!
I shared — thank you for sharing! Beautiful ventures you are able to take. Glad you are well!
Jenny & Bob Williams
Thank you so much Jenny & Bob, we are having such a good time out on the water this summer. I’m glad you have enjoyed sharing in our journey. There is a lot more to come. Even though boating season is almost over, I’m behind in the blog posts.
Beautiful as always.
I enjoy the blogs from both of you so much.
Thank you very much for following us Barry, it has been an absolutely incredible summer. I’m trying to catch up with all the blog post writing so I have many more photos and stories to share.
Great photos!!! Have fun and safe travels.
Thank you so much John! I’m trying to catch up on the blog posts as boating season is almost over.