Unexpected Surprises

Coast Guard Hovercraft, SIYAY



Shortly after departing Hope Bay, to our surprise we saw a vessel on AIS approaching us from behind at 35 knots which was tracking right over the top of Perry Rock; what on earth could it be?!  I grabbed the camera and started snapping away, turned out to be a Canada Coast Guard hovercraft which sped past us like we were standing still.  

Canada Coast Guard Hovercrafts

The vessel stopped ahead of us and joined another Coast Guard hovercraft and they sped off together; in the distance were two war ships – “was this some kind of exercise, or were they after us again,” we joked.  As we made our way around to the west side of North Pender Harbour we encountered traffic of a different sort, four ferries and a tanker; all of whom would be crossing our course.  

Otter Bay Marina

We adjusted our speed and direction of travel to avoid the maze of commercial ships that seemed to converge all at once.  Soon Otter Bay Marina, nestled behind a small spit of land, came into view.  This attractive marina is the perfect place to sit back and relax.  The grounds are lovely and include garden walkways with cozy seating areas.  

Otter Bay is the perfect place to sit back and relax

New owners took over the marina in the fall of 2016 and are making updates to the marina web site.  

Lovely grounds and pools at Otter Bay Marina

The two swimming pools are being readied for guests, and BBQ weekends are slated to start this June.  Boaters should note that the buoys located near the docks are now all private and not part of the marina operation.  After an enjoyable respite at Otter Bay, we were ready to continue to our next stop, Montague Harbour on Galiano Island.  

Montague Harbour Marina; Public Wharf on left (blue ramp)

New this year is camera monitoring at the Montague Public Wharf and a pleasant greeting from the on-site wharfinger.  Boats and dinghies can tie-up at the Public Wharf for a two-hour complimentary stay; after which a fee must be paid at the self-registration payment box at the head of the ramp.  The adjacent Montague Harbour Marina is encouraging boaters to get their reservations in early, as they are already filling up for July and August.  The huge harbour has more than ample space for boats to anchor out; or payment for one of the marine park buoys is also an option.  

Monument in honor of Dionisio Alcala Galiano



Galiano Monument hidden in grass at Montague Marine Park

Montague Harbour has long been a favorite destination among boaters for its many amenities and points of interest.  What may come as a surprise to some, is the often overlooked monument found in the marine park in honor of Dionisio Alcala Galiano (1760-1805), an early Spanish explorer, who in 1792 sailed the waters to the east of Vancouver Island as Commander of the schooner, Sutil. 

To find the memorial from the Montague Marine Park dock, stay to the right at the top of the stairs and follow the shoreline towards the flagpole and park entrance road.  The monument is below the park signage board, somewhat hidden in the grass.  Discoveries and surprises had filled our day, all part of the fascinating adventure of boating in the Pacific Northwest.