Target for the day was Octopus Islands (a old favorite spot) - about 50 miles. We had two tidal passages to plan around - Whirlpool Rapids and Okisollo.
We had the anchor up at 6:10, and happily the small powerboat that snuck in late and anchored in front was not right on top of our anchor - we thought we were going to have to wake them up and ask them to pull their rode! A head did pop up the companionway due no doubt to the rumbling sound of Cummins diesels coming closer, closer.....
We were right in Whirlpool Rapids at 6:35, 1/2 hour prior to forecasted turn. We had almost 2 knots against and some turbulance south of the narrows - but no issues.
We had a few hours to kill before the 2:54pm turn at Okisollo so we ran up Nodales Channel to Thurston Bay Marine Park. We pulled into the small Handfield Bay. A most boats were outside and/or on the inside of Bruce Point. Handfield Bay is tight and room for maybe 3 boats. We dropped a lunch hook in 16' of water at 10:00 and relaxed for a few hours. A nice spot.
After lunch we pulled the anchor and headed off for Okisollo. We went through at 2:30 with a forecasted turn of 2:54. We had 2.3 knots max with us and no turbulance to worry about.
We got into Octopus Islands just before 3:00 and were faced with the realities of being back south again. 17 boats in Octopus Islands and many more in Waiatt Bay. We did find a nice spot in the more western cove of the marine park.
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| Octopus Islands |
We took the dinghy out to visit the cabin filled with eclectic and whimsical relics/mementos from other boaters. A great favorite of ours. The cabin is just near the north side of the south entrance. A good fun hour can be spent running through the items, then hours making one to leave.
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| The cabin |
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| Just some of the items inside. See yours? |
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Click to follow route in Google Maps