Princess Cove to Nanaimo: A Salty Sprint North
/We slipped lines early this morning, aiming to catch Dodd Narrows just before the 9 a.m. slack. The run north was a dream—calm waters, clear skies, and barely another pleasure boat in sight.
As we neared the Narrows, a small sailboat and a catamaran hovered nervously, waiting for a southbound tug and barge to barrel through with the last push of current on their stern. Once they passed, the parade north began. With 2 knots of current on the nose, the sailboats struggled for speed, but OceanFlyer powered through with ease.
Exiting Dodd, the conditions shifted fast. The breeze kicked up, the seas grew, and our once-pristine decks got a proper saltwater baptism. Approaching Nanaimo, we were welcomed by the whoosh of a Harbour Air floatplane landing just off our starboard side—a reminder that Nanaimo is always bustling.
We tucked into a slip on the inside of S Dock at the W.E. Mills outer moorage. Strong winds tried to shove us off, but with a few extra lines and some teamwork, OceanFlyer was snug and secure with a front-row seat to all the harbor action.
Nanaimo isn’t a destination for lounging—it’s a vital provisioning stop before crossing the Strait of Georgia. Over the years, we’ve curated a list of reliable suppliers:
MacLean’s Specialty Foods: A must-visit for specialty cheeses, English bacon, and irresistible sweets. Even with new owners and ongoing renovations (including a future coffee bar), the soul of the place is the same.
Nesvog Meats: An outstanding butcher. We pre-order via email, pick it up frozen and perfectly packed—saving us hours of chasing down supplies and repackaging on board.
Harbour Chandlery: Just a short walk away and a treasure trove of boating and fishing gear. Serious eye candy for anyone who loves gear.
Lunch was dockside at Penny’s Palapa—an old favorite for good reason. After light provisioning at Thrifty Foods, we wrapped up the day with a relaxed dinner at La Stella.
port of Nanaimo and the city at sunset
Alaska beckons, but first, a good night’s sleep in Nanaimo's lively harbor.