Gorge Harbour to Octopus Islands

The Octopus Islands have long been one of the most popular cruising destinations in British Columbia, and it's easy to understand why. Whether your preference is anchoring in a cozy cove, stern-tying beneath towering evergreens, or spending the day exploring by kayak or dinghy, the Octopus group offers something for every cruiser.

Leaving Gorge Harbour, our first navigational challenge was Uganda Passage, located just northwest of the marina. The passage is well charted but features a pronounced dogleg that can make the navigation marks appear deceptive, particularly for first-times. As is often the case on this coast, the charts tell the story. Follow them carefully and the transit is straightforward and uneventful.

We made a lunch stop in Crescent Channel, an anchorage that Karen wanted to check out. Bottom line, no reason to go here. After lunch, our route took us through Beazley Passage and Surge Narrows. The name alone tends to get a boater's attention, but like most rapids and narrow passages in British Columbia, success comes down to timing. Arrive at or near slack water and you'll be rewarded with a smooth and stress-free passage.

Part of the appeal of the Octopus Islands lies in the journey itself. The entrances and passages require your attention, but none are particularly intimidating. Instead, they create a sense of having earned your way into a place that feels far removed from the outside world.

Of course, you're rarely alone. During the cruising season, many boaters share that same idea. Yet somehow the maze of islands, coves, and anchorages still manages to preserve a feeling of seclusion.

During a previous visit, I had marked a promising anchoring location after watching a Fleming settle comfortably into a quiet cove in the northwest corner of the islands. As we approached today, only a single boat was visible anywhere in the area. We made our way directly to that waypoint and soon had our anchor securely set in the very spot I had saved years earlier.

the view from above makes the anchorge apppear much larger than it feels

By late afternoon, the waters had settled into complete calm. The occasional call of a bird and the gentle movement of water against the hull were the only reminders that the world still existed beyond the islands.

lots of interesting shoreline ot explore

That combination of protected waters, intimate anchorages, and the feeling of being tucked away in a remote wilderness is what keeps cruisers returning to the Octopus Islands year after year. Some destinations impress with grandeur. The Octopus Islands charm you with tranquility.

the popular octopus island cozy anchorage