Octopus Islands to Cordero Islands

2026.5.21 Octopus Islands to Cordero Islands

Some anchorages are destinations in their own right. Others earn their place on a cruising itinerary because they put you exactly where you need to be for the next day's passage. The Cordero Islands manage to do both.

Located at the intersection of Cordero Channel and Mayne Passage, the islands sit immediately adjacent to Green Point Rapids, making them an ideal staging point for boats planning to transit the rapids and continue down Chancellor Channel toward Johnstone Strait.

For cruisers working their way north or south through the Discovery Islands, timing is everything. An overnight stop here allows you to position yourself for an early departure and a favorable current through Green Point, one of several tidal gates that help dictate travel schedules in these waters.

Fortunately, the anchorage offers more than just convenience.

One of the hidden advantages of the Cordero Islands is their proximity to Blind Channel. At only about a mile and a half away by dinghy. Blind Channel has long been a favorite stop for cruisers, and its small store can be a welcome resource when provisions begin to run low.

We took advantage of the short ride to replenish a few supplies. As often happens, what started as a provisioning run turned into a bit of shopping as well. I came away with a new book, while Karen found a new hoodie to add to her cruising wardrobe.

Back aboard OceanFlyer, we spent the evening watching the currents swirl through the surrounding passages while preparing for the next day's transit. One of the pleasures of cruising this coast is that even the "utility stops" often come with beautiful scenery, protected waters, and an excuse to explore somewhere new.

The Cordero Islands may not attract the attention of destinations like Desolation Sound or the Broughtons, but for those navigating the Inside Passage, they are a practical and enjoyable stop that we find ourselves returning to time and again.