MAPLE BAY D6

Paddy Mile Stone – Protrudes into Maple Bay with a large boulder at the end of the point. Anchor east of the point towards Octopus Point which is marked with a light.

Bird’s Eye Cove – Some anchorage. The light at the entrance means do not exceed 8 kms/hour. The Maple Bay Yacht Club is behind a floating concrete breakwater on the west shore. Lights are on each end of the breakwater.

Maple Bay – A public wharf at the northwest end provides water and launch ramp. Exposure to the southeast. There is a beach, swimming area and a pub nearby. North of Arbutus Point are hydro lines which cross Sansum Narrows. A fish farm is about 1.6 km (1 mi) north.

Grave Point – Marked with a green light. A few trees on a rocky outcropping.

Osborn Bay – Honours Sherard Osborn, a British sailor and author who served aboard several of His Majesty’s well known ships before retiring. Osborn Bay Regional Park is on Sherard Point. The bay is busy with debris, old pilings and tug boats from the mill and booming grounds. Light marks the northeast corner of the bay. Stay at least 800 m (.5 mi) to the south and east. Crofton – Provides regular ferry service to Vesuvius Bay on Salt Spring Island. Crofton, with approximately 2500 residents, offers hotels, restaurants, grocery stores and more. Named after Henry Croft, a major player in development of the mines that fueled Crofton’s establishment. There is a public wharf and boat launch on the north side of the BC ferry dock.

Chemainus Estuary – Only for rowboats, dinghies, and kayaks that will be able to navigate the channels of the estuary. Wait for a flood tide to explore. Indian Reef is marked by a green light. West of the towers dries at low tide.

Stuart Channel – Tidal currents are fairly weak and straight forward. They ebb to the south and flood to the north. Pay attention to North Reef.

Parmiter Point – Several tiny coves to the north provide some anchorage.

Dock Point – Drying ridge and rocks extend about 150 m (500 ft) northwest. The bay on the north side provides shelter from east and south winds.

Vesuvius Bay – Named after the H.M. paddle sloop Vesuvius, a 976 ton vessel with six guns. The ferry dock connects Salt spring Island to Crofton. The bay affords some sheltered anchorage with a public wharf.

12. Booth Bay – Shallow anchorage exposed to everything but east winds. A good view of Stuart Channel and sunsets. South is Arbutus Beach with sand and gravel beaches. Erskine Point is south of Arbutus Beach.

13. Mount Maxwell – A 65 hectare ecological preserve, established in 1972, which contains the largest protected stand of Gary Oak in BC.

Burgoyne Bay – A rusted vessel on the north side and a booming ground and public wharf to the east. A sandy beach on the south side. The bay offers some good anchorage. Exposure to west winds.

Bold Bluff Point – Exposes a rock just off the north side of the point. A private float in the bay to the south. This is the narrowest part of Sansum Narrows so watch for whirlpools and tide rips. Good fishing off this point.

Salt Spring Island – 120 km (77 mi) of shoreline. The residents prefer to call it Salt Spring, although the first Indian settlers called it “Klatheem.” Other names for it include Admiral Island and Chuan. In 1895 the population was 455 and today, it is more than 7,000.

Fernwood Point – A public wharf with room for two or three boats and a boat launch. A general store is a short walk away.