Passage to Heriot Bay and Taku



Surge Narrows

Heriot Bay on Quadra Island was our next destination and we set the goal of transiting some challenging passage ways.  First came the Surge Narrows area where we took the un-named passage running between Maurelle Island to the north, and Sturt and Goepel Islands to the south.  Although there are known charted rocks and possibly some uncharted rocks, we safely transited this passage by staying to the Maurelle Island side of the channel.  Next came Whiterock Passage, aptly named for its many rocks and drying shoals.  

Whiterock Passage

We went through on an 11-foot tide and we saw a depth of 11 feet.  Going through on a half-tide or better is advised for a safe transit of Whiterock Passage.  It is also important to use the two sets of ‘range markers,’ the leading range and the back range.  

Forward Range Marker when transiting east

Lining-up these range markers, located on shore, helps to stay on course.  Once through Whiterock Passage, we turned south along Rendezvous Islands and into Sutil Channel.  Continuing southwest down Sutil Channel, we arrived at Heriot Bay on the southern east side of Quadra Island, ready to gather information regarding Heriot Bay and Rebecca Spit moorage options.  Heriot Bay has several options for boaters:  the Heriot Bay Public Wharf, an anchorage area near the wharf, or the Heriot Bay Inn & Marina.  

Heriot Bay Inn & Marina

Both sets of docks are limited for larger boats as fairways between finger piers are narrow.  Moorage for larger boats is best on outside finger piers.  Anchorage is in 50-60 feet near a field of mooring balls taken by permanently moored boats near the wharf.  

Heriot Bay Inn and Restaurant

We tied up Got d’ Fever at the Heriot Bay Inn & Marina to spend the night and have dinner at the cute restaurant on the nice deck overlooking the bay.  The food is surprisingly good and the historic 1913 Inn is delightful.  The facilities are owned by a group of residents who work to maintain this historic site, popular with Quadra Island folks and traveling visitors.  Just around the corner in Drew Bay is Taku Resort & marina, another option for boaters and travelers by car or RV.  

Taku Resort & Marina

Got d' Fever tied at Taku (Rebecca Spit in distance)

The outside portions of the docks serve larger boats but are exposed to wind so fender well.  Kayak tours are available from the docks and the resort has a fun play area for children near a beachside gazebo.  A small shopping mall with a Tru-Value Foods grocery is located within walking distance of both Taku and Heriot Bay Inn, where we picked up some groceries and enjoyed a ‘cup of jo’ at the new Java Bay Café coffee shop.  

Rebecca Spit Marine Park

Perhaps one of the biggest draws to the area is beautiful Rebecca Spit Marine Park just across the bay from Taku.  Boats anchor off shore and go in by dinghy or kayak to walk the trails and play on the beaches, scattered with driftwood.  Picnic tables are available to sit and enjoy the views of mountains in the distance.  The 2017 Waggoner Cruising Guide describes the best places to anchor.