Welcome Surprises

We departed beautiful Fury Cove on the southwest side of Penrose Island and headed south to circle around the Island and back north again into Klaquaek Channel, an area we had not explored in previous years.  Klaquaek has several well-protected anchorage areas, serving as nice alternatives if Fury Cove and neighboring ‘Secure Cove’ are full.  This route is also an interesting way to reach ‘Dawsons Landing’ located further north at the end of Darby Channel.  

Floating Home Community, Sunshine Bay off Klaquaek Channel

We found three good anchorage areas within Klaquaek, the first being Sunshine Bay on the east side of the Channel on Ripon Island.  

Narrow Entrance to Sunshine Bay

The entrance is narrow with a couple of bends but is easily doable; the charted shoal on the south shore at the neck of the entrance is not as extensive as charted.  Anchoring depths in Sunshine Bay are 25-30 feet over a flat mud bottom.  This intriguing bay contains a floating home community hidden from the Channel.  The homes seemed in good condition and some of the houses appeared to be quite new.  As we exited the bay, a boat was entering the narrow entrance, perhaps returning home after a day of fishing.  

Big Frypan Anchorage off Klaquaek Channel

Next, we explored Big Frypan Bay on the west side of the Channel located on southeast Penrose Island.  This large bay has ample room for a good number of boats with anchoring depths of 68 feet on a sand-mud bottom, shallower depths can be found in a couple of coves within the bay.  The short, narrow entrance to Big Frypan Bay is easy to transit.  

Frypan Anchorage off Klaquaek Channel

Just north of Big Frypan Bay is smaller Frypan Bay, nearly landlocked by a short, narrow entrance with a shoal on the port side - the shoal is not charted so stay to starboard.  Smaller Frypan Bay is lovely and has ample room for several boats to anchor, depths are as charted, around 45 feet over a mixed bottom of mud and rock.  We found Klaquaek to be an interesting area to explore and worth including in the Waggoner Cruising Guide.  If Fitz Hugh Sound is giving you fits, Klaquaek may be a nice alternative.  Continuing our journey north, we exited Klaquaek Channel meeting up with Darby Channel near Fleming Point.  

Rivers Lodge in the back cove of Sleepy Bay off Darby Channel

As we turned northeast, we spotted a sign along the shore pointing to ‘Rivers Lodge,’ another unexpected surprise to check out.  The Lodge is completely hidden from view along Darby Channel, tucked inside Sleepy Bay on the southwest finger of Walbran Island; the last couple hundred feet is accessible only by smaller boats; however, a log-boom tied to shore in the outer cove may provide an option for larger boats for tie.  

Darby Channel

After discovering the seasonal fishing lodge, we continued up Darby Channel, arriving at Dawsons Landing around 4:30pm and checked in at the adorable general store which doubles as a Post Office.  We found three other cruisers at the docks and enjoyed an impromptu potluck 'happy hour.'

Dawsons Landing, General Store and Cabins

Dawsons Landing is run by a husband-wife team, who maintain the docks and buildings adorned with lovely potted shrubs and flowers, they also offer two fishing cabins for rent as well as storage for local fishing camps during the winter months.  

Nice Views from Dawsons Landing

Loop Ties on the docks at Dawsons Landing

The docks are in good shape and have ‘loop ties’ rather than ‘bull rails,’ keeping your lines clean and easy to remove.  Water is available at the dock, no power; satellite-based Wifi is available for a fee, payable at the store.  

The adorable General Store at Dawsons Landing

The well-stocked general store is a fun place to shop and includes housewares, parts, and fishing supplies; don’t miss the freezers stocked with meats, smoked salmon, and ice cream.  While at Dawsons Landing, the Grumman Goose, an amphibious plane used extensively during the early to mid-1930’s, arrived at the dock to unload mail and pick up passengers.  

The Grumman Goose delivering the mail

If for no other reason, visiting Dawsons Landing to see this unique aircraft up close is worth the trip, ask at the store for the next scheduled arrival.  

Helicopter fueling at Dawsons

A few hours later, a pilot who works for the logging industry landed his helicopter at Dawsons to top off with JetA fuel.  The helicopter landed within a few feet of our boat.  What an exciting two days we had at Dawsons with our own private air show, including two' de Havilland' Beaver aircraft with floats!


A front-row seat at Dawsons