What’s the Shortcut to Sailing Vancouver Island’s West Coast?

Learn how to plan the passage through Juan de Fuca Strait to Barkley Sound, using tides, weather windows and well-timed stops to reach Vancouver Island’s rugged west coast.

By
Bert Vermeer
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Enjoying a favorite, tranquil anchorage in Turtle Island, Barkley Sound. (Photo/ Bert Vermeer)

Any skipper who has ever sailed the Pacific Northwest knows that there are a myriad of islands, anchorages and marinas to explore in the protected waters of Puget Sound and all points north along the Salish Sea. Compared to the exposed shoreline of Washington State, Oregon and California, the Pacific Northwest is a sailors’ paradise. There are no swells to contend with, no offshore fog rolling in without notice to obscure everything, and blissful summer weather to ensure even non-sailing friends can enjoy the experience.

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Bert Vermeer
Bert Vermeer
As a coastal cruise (and occasional racer & ocean crosser), Bert Vermeer has sailed the coast of British Columbia for over 40 years. With his wife Carey & daughter Nicky (and eventually granddaughter Natasha) in tow, Bert has gained an appreciation for the fabulous cruising grounds of the Canadian west coast. Based on his experience as a hands-on boater, he established a marine based business after completing his police career. Bert stays busy during the winter months dabbling in You Tube sailing videos and writing tales of summer adventures, awaiting blue skies and warm winds.

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