Gems Along the Way

Barges pulled by a Tug being swept by the current, one mile from Seymour Narrows

Departing April Point, we continued northwest along Discovery Passage to transit Seymour Narrows near slack.  We were still a mile from the Narrows when we saw a tug with two barges in tow, heading southbound; the current was sweeping each barge in different directions; a visual clue of the current’s strength.  We stayed out of the middle of the channel and kept closer to shore where we found a backeddy that sped us along instead of slowing us down. 

Tug and barge heading southbound through Seymour Narrows

Arriving at the entrance, we encountered another tug, also heading southbound; we waited for the tug and barge to pass and then transited Seymour Narrows against a 3-knot current.  Many boaters, happy to have successfully transited through Seymour Narrows, normally continue to destinations further north, but there are some special gems along the northern section of Discovery Passage beyond the Narrows. 

Entering Kanish Bay

Kanish Bay on the east side of Discovery Passage (west side of Quadra Island) is a fairly large area, which includes Granite Bay and Small Inlet.  Kanish Bay offers some nice anchorages and opportunities to explore by dinghy. 

The entrance into the cove at the head of Small Inlet is lined with kelp

There are charted rocks in Kanish Bay, but it’s the large clumps of kelp that is perhaps the most challenging to avoid when entering the cove at the head of Small Inlet.  Once inside, the Inlet’s cove seems quite remote from the outside world so we were surprised to see three other boats at anchor; no worries, there’s plenty of room for privacy.  A half-mile trail at the head of Small Inlet cove leads across the neck of Quadra Island to Waiatt Bay, part of the Octopus Islands Marine Park.  Small Inlet within Kanish Bay, is in fact, designated as Small Inlet Marine Park, and the two marine parks are connected by a trail system.  From Small Inlet, a steep 1-mile trail leads to Newton Lake; a branch in the trail will take you 2 more miles to Granite Bay, located in the south portion of Kanish Bay. 

The Public Dock in Granite Bay at the southeast corner of Granite Bay

Granite Bay can easily be reached by dinghy from Small Inlet.  Touring around by dinghy, we discovered a 230-foot public dock and small park tucked inside the head of Granite Bay.  Moorage rates are posted, and guests are to leave payment in the box located at the head of the ramp.  Anchorage can also be found in Granite Bay in case the dock is full.  Next time you are passing through Seymour Narrows and need a place to get out of the weather, or want some new territory to explore, Kanish Bay is a nice option.