D13 SIDNEY

Port Sidney Marina - There’s 4,100 lineal m (13,500 ft) of moorage space, laundry, showers, unique gift & convenience store, one block to Sidney centre.

Bazan Bay – Some buoys and beachcombing with a large pebble beach and picnic tables in Bazan Bay Park. North is Tulista Park: children’s play ground, washrooms, and a boat ramp.

Sidney – A public wharf with two floats. Within a stone’s throw of the dock (on a walking pier) are marine stores, shopping, launch ramp, power, water, laundry, showers, washrooms, pub, restaurant, phones, charters, and rentals.

Roberts Bay – Home to Roberts Bay Bird Sanctuary, created in 1931.

Tsehum Harbour – Also known as Shoal Harbour. Speed limit is 8 kph (5 mph) in the harbour which is well marked. Part of Gulf Islands National Park Reserve (GINPR).

Blue Heron Basin – Home of the Capital City Yacht Club and Sidney-north Saanich Yacht Club as you enter.

This bay offers a marina with moorage for visitors, showers, repairs, fuel, and launching ramp.

Canoe Bay – Some all-weather anchorage between the marina and Kolb Island. Be cautious of entrances to the cove as there are numerous rocks. Johnson Islet has a private float.

Fernie Island – Page Passage is between Fernie Island and Curteis Point. Iroquois Passage is between Fernie Island and Goudge Island. John Passage is between Coal and Goudge Islands (which is the preferred passage).

Little Group, part of Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, is comprised of three islands; Ker Island in the centre, Little Shell Island has a small shack on the north side and Dock Island has a few trees and is marked with a light. These islets have been afforded the highest level of protection by the park and are authorized access only with the exception of the small beach on Dock Island which is available for day use only as a rest stop for kayakers and boaters.

10. Coal Island – Killer Whale Point has rocks extending into the channel. Lewis Bay has private floats.

11. Swartz Bay – Primarily a B.C. Ferries terminal. Colburne Passage is busy with fast moving ferries.

12. Knapp Island – Stranger Passage, between Knapp Island and Pym Island, has drying rocks and ledges. Gosse Passage, between Knapp and Piers Islands, is tangled by Clive Island. 13. Piers Island – There are three public floats in the southeast corner. Peck Reef is at the northeast corner and marked.

14. Shute Passage – Deep and relatively free of danger except for Celia Reefs by Portland Island.

15. Portland Island – Named after the HMS Portland which was the flagship of Rear-admiral Fairfax Moresby. In 1967 it was known as Princess Margaret Provincial Marine Park and is now part of Gulf Islands National Park Reserve. There are camping opportunities at three locations on the island (Princess Bay, Arbutus Point and Shell Beach) as well as toilet facilities and hiking trails. Dinghy docks are available at the north end of the island at Royal Cove as well as the south end at Princess Bay, where there is also a long standing marine host program offered by the Royal Victoria Yacht Club.

16. Celia Reefs – Marked by a starboard hand buoy south of the reefs. Hood Island is home to an eagle family. Princess Bay has anchorage and is protected by Tortoise Islets.

17. Brackman Island – part of Gulf Islands National Park Reserve is authorized access only due to the ecological significance of the island.

18. Chads Island – Named to honour Captain Henry Chads who commanded the HMS Portland. Anchorage in Royal Cove on Portland. Part of GINPR and authorized access only.

19. Moresby Passage – Named after Rear Admiral Fairfax Moresby.

20. Canoe Rock – Marked by a green buoy; pass to the west.

21. Moresby Island – Named after Admiral Sir Fairfax Moresby. Temporary anchorage on the northeast side. Point Fairfax is marked with a light.

22. Seymour Point – Has an unnamed bay on the north side before Reynard Point which has several rocks.

23. Prevost Passage – Watch for Arachne Reef which is marked with a light at the east end. Imrie Island is a small grassy island in the centre.

24. Brethour Island – Drying rocks to the southeast. Reay Island (northwest) has a few trees and is Crown property. Greig Island, 800 m (.5 mi) to the west is bare and has drying rocks on the north side which are marked.

25. Gooch Island – Do not try to pass between Comet Island and Gooch Island. The channel is full of drying rocks and shoals. Cooper Reef dries to 2 m (6.5 ft). North Cod Reef dries to 2 m (6.5 ft) and South Cod Reef is marked and provides good cod fishing.

26. Rum Island – also known as Isle-de-lis. A small beach connecting it to Gooch Island. Rum Island has three back country campsites for visitors. It was used for rum– running operations during the Prohibition. Part of Gulf Islands National Park Reserve (GINPR).

27. Forrest Island – Surrounded by drying reefs. Some anchorage on the northeast side protected by a breakwater which is covered at high tide.

28. Mandarte Island – There is a light on the island and another light on a rock to the northwest. Halibut Island has shoals south and southeast of it. Miners Channel (southwest) is sometimes used by commercial vessels.

29. Sidney Island – 24 kms (29 mi) of sandy beaches. Much of the island is privately owned but the beaches are public. The North end of Sidney Island is part of Gulf Islands National Park Reserve (GINPR). 30. Sidney Spit – is part of Gulf Islands National Park Reserve (GINPR). It offers dozens of mooring buoys, docks for small boats and dinghies, drinking water, outhouses, picnic areas and 24 walk-in campsites. Also available is group camping and picnicking. The inner lagoon is a Special Preservation Area and is closed to both motorized and non-motorized vessels. Only authorized access is allowed. Three markers have been installed in the lagoon delineating the boundary area.