Octopus Islands

K

kennharriet

Member
We are planning a cruise to the Octopus Islands in May. We usually launch from Bellingham or Anacortes. In the interest of being able to spend more time in the area, we are considering trailering and ferry options to launch farther north. Any thoughts and experiences on options and ferry costs? Thanks in advance. Ken
 
If you are referring to Octopus Islands on north Quadra, you will find a nice launch in Campbell River at Discovery marina. There you can take a round trip to the park, circumnavigating Quadra Island. One ferry to Vancouver Island and a two hour drive from Nanaimo.
 
HI, interested in the way you will get there once on the water. We got turned back at surge rapids once early in my salt water days. Fuel guy showed up to work 2 hours late because " its Canada" so we missed our tide window. Too many logs shooting out for me to go farther. DO you go this way or around the west side ?
 
If heading for Octopus Islands on north Quadra ,browns bay resort (45 minute drive from Campbell River) is a good choice, truck and trailer storage and a good ramp.
You would travel around the north end of quadra island after launching from browns bay to get to octopus marine park avoiding surge narrows,
Side note, I've traveled thru surge rapids/ narrows with my cdory and smaller aluminum boat several times ,no problems if you watch your tide and current charts.
 
I have not launched in Campbell River, but I have driven into the marina area there. Launch ramp looked OK, I didn't inquire about parking but there appeared to be plenty, not sure of the security, but I think it is about as close to Octopus Islands as you will get. Sayward would be an option, but they were not particularly "user friendly" by phone.

I have used the BC Ferry the last 2 summers and it's a good choice. You would either have a ferry to get to Lund or to Campbell River. The Tswassen to Duke Point (Nanaimo) runs discount fares during the summer, on certain days and times (a tourism promotion for Vancouver Island) and it is worth using ( ~50% off, for oversize, over length vehicles.) Be prepared to travel early, but you could easily leave from the Ferry launch and have your boat in the water and be at Octopus Islands on the same day. You will want to check the Seymour Narrows current/tides before transiting that stretch.

Another option would be Pacific Playground, on the Oyster River. It is a bit farther south, a doable launch ramp, (be careful about tide levels as you don't want to be launching or retrieving at a low tide, but they have good parking, and a wash down area after retrieving.

Browns Bay has fuel, and a restaurant with pretty good fish and chips, but their launch ramp does not have a side dock (at least when I was there in 2015), so launching was a 2 person affair at least.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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Sorry :oops: I missed spelled T S A W W A S S E N in that last post. Spelling it like it sounds Twassen in stead.

It's a great ferry ride, and good food there too, Try the "Poutine" :shock: :roll: once. (Heart attack on a plate --- Poutine is a Canadian dish, originating in the province of Québec, made with French fries and cheese curds topped with a light brown gravy.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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Getting to Lund requires taking TWO ferries and driving thru Vancouver. Before there was a Tsawwassen ferry going to Nanaimo, you had to use the Horseshoe Bay terminal to get a ferry to Nanaimo. That terminal is at the bottom of a VERY STEEP hill.

Not fun to trailer thru Vancouver, scary to descend the last hill to the terminal.

If traveling from the US, I would take the ferry to Nanaimo from Tsawwassen. That ferry exits onto the Island Highway at Duke Point, a four lane divided highway. In about two hours you will be in Campbell River. Pacific Playgrounds RV Park (with launch ramp) is just south of Campbell River.

Discovery Harbor launch ramp may not have safe parking. Campbell River boat facilities seem to be for day fishermen. We launched at Pacific Playgrounds (watch the tide) and at Browns Bay. Pacific Playgrounds had a trailer storage area and the night watchman lived nearby. This was 10 years ago, so a phone call would be in order to get current status.
 
We launched at Pacific Playgrounds 2 years ago on the way to Desolation Sound. The launch was adequate and yes you need to watch the tides. But the trailer parking lot was full so I had to park on the side of the road very near the marina. Not ideal but the truck and trailer were intact upon our return. We still had to pay for the parking permit even though we weren't in the lot so I suppose someone was keeping an eye on all the trucks/trailers.
 
I agree CR is a good launch. Nice ramp lots of parking. And all the services you'd need Run around the bottom of Quadra and visit Herriot Bay. The current passes are all easy near slack.
Kerri On will be thru there in June. Heading thru all that area for Port Hardy
 
Hi Ken,

Nancy H is correct, it's way easier to go Tsawwassen/ Duke point and head up the Highway to Campbell River. The Discovery Launch is good but probably not a great spot to leave your truck and trailer. The one thing about that ramp is its right next to the fuel dock. If your not comfortable with tides than go south around Quadra Island up past Heriot Bay ( which has a fuel dock) and on to Surge Narrows ( will be the only tide you will have to deal with) and up to Octopus Islands. If you go north around Quadra it's all tide. We live on Quadra and give Seymour Narrows the respect it deserves. We do all of our boating out of Heriot Bay so if you have any questions about the area let me know.

Enjoy!!
 
I know it is farther up the island, but I really like Telegraph Cove (Building 29 side) for launching and parking. Both secure and not to expensive. (IIRC it was about $75 for a month.) Lots of room and a wash down deck above the ramp.

Harvey
SleepyC:moon

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