Sailing Around Vancouver Island

We had intended to travel to Alaska this summer, but when we heard about a group of Selene owners who were planning to go around Vancouver Island, we jumped at the change to be with other boats of our kind on a major shakedown cruise. Some of the most beautiful and well-traveled cruising areas are Desolation Sound, the Gulf Islands and the Broughtons east of Vancouver Island. We were enticed by the stories we heard about the wild ride around Cape Scott and the open passages of the Northern Pacific. The west coast of Vancouver Island is very sparsely populated and mostly wilderness, with a reputation for some nasty seas. It is not a popular cruising area because of the rough waters and isolation. It can be a real challenge—but the rewards can be some of the most pristine cruising in the world.

I was a little nervous about the trip in the open waters of the Pacific Ocean because we lacked stabilizers, which reduce the motion aboard significantly. I was really anxious to see if I would be seasick. It seems I was sick constantly when where were sailing aboard our sailboat. I hadn't felt sick at all on our shorter trips from Seattle to Friday Harbor, so I felt quite confident.

We started our trip with two other Selene owners who have become good friends. We cleared customs Bedwell Harbour on South Pender Island in British Columbia, Canada on June 23 and we were on our way for a 6-8 week shakedown cruise.


For a more detailed description of what this sailing trip from the United States to Bedwell Harbour may have been like, click on the following link to the United States Sailing Association's Online Sailing School description of a trip from San Juan Harbor to Bedwell Harbour: LINK