Miles Inlet to Pruth Bay: Smooth Seas & Hidden Logs

With a favorable forecast in our favor, we made an early break from Miles Inlet to round Cape Caution and head into the heart of BC’s Central Coast. Winds light, seas down, and current behind us—one of those rare days where everything lined up for an effortless ride.

And it delivered. The ocean laid down to a gentle one-foot ripple, giving us a smooth cruise north. The only downside? A minefield of low-riding logs and driftwood, likely stirred up by recent high tides. Most were nearly invisible until you were right on them, so we stayed sharp at the helm.

We spotted just two pleasure boats making similar time and passed the Alaska Ferry Columbia on her southbound run to Bellingham. Otherwise, the radio was quiet and the traffic light.

Thanks to MarineTraffic, we knew a few boats were already tucked into Pruth Bay—five when we arrived, four flying U.S. flags. No surprise—Pruth is a perennial favorite. With its protected anchorage, access to Hakai Institute’s trails, and world-class beaches on the Pacific side of Calvert Island, it’s a gem.

early season peacful pruth bay

Once anchored, we headed ashore and chatted with Eric from the Tula Foundation, who shared news of a new outreach effort—presentations about the Institute for small visiting groups. One such event was scheduled for tomorrow, when the National Geographic Venture arrives with 90 guests aboard.

We took advantage of the quiet before the crowd, hiking over to West Beach where we had the sweeping shoreline entirely to ourselves. With sun overhead and the drone in the air, it was a perfect afternoon for beachcombing and feeling like we had the coast to ourselves.

the trails to the beach are well maintained

20 minute walk and boom, there’s the beach

a small portion of the massive west beach

a bird’s eye view of west beach looking north

if you don’t mind a bit of a hike, there are more beach to the south

looking back east from west beach, you see the haki institute and pruth bay

Back aboard, the entertainment continued as four sea lions put on a show, hunting in the current at the edge of the bay. A great ending to a Central Coast cruising classic.

a colorful end to the day looking over towrd the north cove of pruth bay