Day 10 | 2025 Flotilla to Alaska | Kwakume Inlet to Codville Lagoon

A nice leisurely morning in Kwakume Inlet! We didn’t pull our anchor until the civilized hour of 9am! Before we pulled our anchor though, we pulled our crab traps and had one very large male Dungeness. Score! Once we were all anchored in Codville Lagoon, we dropped the dinghies and met on shore for the hike up to Sagar Lake. The sun is out now and we’re all doing dinner … Read more

Day 9 | 2025 Flotilla to Alaska | Allison Harbour to Kwakume Inlet

This morning’s forecast for our rounding of Cape Caution looked the same as we were expecting. Pine Island and Egg Island both reporting two foot chop and very little wind. Environment Canada for Central Coast from McInnes Island to Pine Island forecasting wind west 5-15kts, seas 1 meter. West Sea Otter buoy reporting 1.3 meters at 11.1 seconds, so a fairly gentle swell, with little to no wind waves. Off … Read more

Day 8 | 2025 Flotilla to Alaska | Mound Island to Allison Harbour

We headed out early again this morning to get through Queen Charlotte Strait before the forecast wind increase in the afternoon. Everyone pulled out of the Mound Island anchorage at six, for what turned out to be a very pleasant cruise. One boat detoured to Port McNeill to get some fuel, but made great time and actually beat the rest of the fleet to Allison Harbour. Soon, we were joined … Read more

Day 7 | 2025 Flotilla to Alaska | Small Inlet to Mound Island

We had an elaborate plan all worked out for today, with several backup plans built in, and we scrapped all of it as soon as we got up to Chatham Point light, where the promised 25kt winds and 3ft moderate wind waves did not materialize at all. Instead, we opted to continue on and get as much of Johnstone Strait behind us as we could today, which turned out to … Read more

Day 6 | 2025 Flotilla to Alaska | Staying Put in Small Inlet

Making the decision to stay put in a location that’s not bursting with rainbows and unicorns (aka calm water, multiple bears with cubs foraging on shore, whales and dolphins frolicking around our boats) is always a tough call. Small Inlet is beautiful, and sure, there are some birds (seagulls, mergansers, an eagle in the distance), but the 20-30 knot wind (gusting to 38 knots!) has kept us all sailing on … Read more

Day 4 | 2025 Flotilla to Alaska | Comox to Campbell River

Another early morning! We left the dock at Comox at 5am and headed out into the the calm, blue gray morning. The Comox Bar looks a little tricky, but it’s really not. The depth is at least 15 feet, marked by red buoys, and there’s even a lighted range if you like. The conditions in the Strait were very pleasant for the cruise up to Campbell River, and by the … Read more

Day 3 | 2025 Flotilla to Alaska | Clam Bay to Comox

Our alarm went off just before 4:30am this morning…enough time to check the weather, get a few sips of coffee, and figure out if we were going to need to change the plan. Again. A gorgeous, calm morning so far! The forecast, however, showed an increase in wind, plus a strong wind warning (SE 15-20kts and 15-25kts) south and north of Nanaimo, but also said it should diminish in the … Read more