We left the anchorage at Friendly Cove around 7:00 a.m. The reported wind at Estevan Point was 5 knots at 6:00 a.m., and we felt very little swell as we got out of Nootka Sound and into the open Pacific.
By the time we were abeam of Estevan Point, we showed 1 to 2 knots of wind and a very light chop with maybe a 1 foot swell. We could not have asked for anything better! This was the calmest rounding of Estevan Point we’ve ever had.
We arrived at Hot Springs Cove in the late morning. The hot springs are very busy during the day with tourists who come from Tofino on boats and float planes, so we just relaxed and got caught up on some work. Others went out fishing or exploring, and then met on the Airship/Safe Harbour raft for an early happy hour before heading to the hot springs after 5:00 p.m. when the day visitors leave.
Most of the group made the 1.2 mile (each way) walk along the boardwalk to the hot springs. By waiting until after the tour boats left, we shared the springs with only a few other people.
We made it back to the boats just as the sun was setting…beautiful!
Another shot a few minutes later as it got darker:
Today’s Route: 27.6 nautical miles, 3 hours 52 minutes underway
Flotilla Total: 514.1 nautical miles, 77 hours 50 minutes underway
