Pinkerton Islands

Kevin helped us with a ride back from the Tofino Airport after we returned our rental car in the morning. Our destination today is the Pinkerton Islands. This area is north of the Broken Group. Specifically we like a small one-boat anchorage that is behind some barrier rocks and bordered by shallow flats.

We have always enjoyed this anchorage. The drying rocks give protection from the fetch on most tides, and we have a great view to the south. We’re also hoping that we can get a nice breeze into the anchorage so we can mitigate the heat as the temperature is forecast to approach 80F this afternoon.

Karen has been monitoring on Marine Traffic a boat the past few days that was anchored in “our spot” but, as luck would have it, they had moved on before we arrived.

Back in our spot, we enjoyed being the only boat in sight. There were two boats anchored around the corner in the main passage, but we only knew they were there from AIS.  In addition to the views to the south, there is a large drying flat to the north where we have seen bears and wolves in the past. Like clockwork, we had a bear sighting at a 5-foot low tide.

our favorite nook in the pinkerton islands

one of the local bears walks through “ankle” deep mud as he makes his rounds

cozy home in our pinkerton islands anchorage

Overview of the Pinkerton Island Islands

Karen decided that we were going to go past Equis Beach to Julia Passage, about a 5-mile trip one-way.

Julia Passage was a delight. After working our way through a horde of sport fishing boats at Howard Point, we entered this long no-wake passage that is home to 42 float homes. Each one was detached from the others, on both sides of the pass. No two were alike. These float homes were well kept and ranged from cozy to rather grand. We went all the way to the end of the passage and really enjoyed this small touch of “wilderness civilization”. Everyone we saw — there were some people in residence — smiled and waved.

just a few of the 42 float homes in Julia Passage

On the way back, again weaving through the fishing boats, we saw several salmon caught. Karen clapped for one successful fisherman, and he bowed in return.

floathouse in the western nook can just been seen in the center of this photo

our view as the sun rises in the Pinkerton islands