Captain George Vancouver first sailed these waters in 1792 - and seeing the land and seascape so remote and forbidding, he was inspired to name it Desolation Sound!
The park was created in 1973 and continues to be a popular destination for boaters. Desolation Sound Marine Provincial Park is the only major marine park of its kind on the Pacific coast of Canada. From your Island Cruising yacht, you can expect to see a majestic and untouched landscape made up of evergreen mountains topped with snowcaps, fjords, waterfalls, and teeming with birds and other wildlife.
Things to see and do: The first thing that comes to mind when considering things to see and do in a marine provincial park is of course... sailing! Explore the numerous little coves, inlets and islands that make up the 60km of pristine coastline. Ashore, interesting tidal pools and marshes will enthral you with an abundance of marine organisms, birds and waterfowl. Use the dinghy and outboard motor included in your Island Cruising charter to explore the waters not accessible by sailboat. Other activities include kayaking, swimming and scuba diving. The waters of Desolation Sound do not experience as much tidal circulation as in other parts of the region. It is for this reason that pumping out your holding tank is strictly forbidden in Desolation Sound. Conversely, because the waters do not move as much, they warm up significantly during the summer months and are particularly inviting for swimmers, snorkelers, and scuba divers alike! Fishermen can try their luck at catching salmon, rockfish, cod and snapper. Be aware that fishing for rockfish is limited in the conservation areas, and you must have the appropriate licenses to fish. Island Cruising can add a fishing kit to your charter - ask our reservations team for more information.
Marinas and anchorages: There are many anchorage sites in the region, including the beautiful Prideaux Haven; Tenedos Bay, connected to Unwin Lake by a short hiking trail; and Grace Harbour, which is well protected from all winds and seas. Unwin Lake is ideal for swimming and freshwater fishing, which makes for a relaxing day on shore. While marinas are uncommon in Desolation Sound, the historic Lund Hotel is well worth a visit! Fully renovated and restored, the hotel has an on-site restaurant, pub, general store, and fuel dock, and also offers guided kayaking tours! There are two options for the kayaking tours: kayak by moonlight and experience the magic of the bioluminescence, or enjoy a retelling of the history of Lund, and hear all about the First Nations' history as well as the antics of the early settlers.
Hazards in the area: If stopping by Mitlenatch Island on your way from our base at Pacific Playgrounds to Desolation Sound, be aware of the rock to the north of the northern tip of the small island, as well as the reef and rocks off of the west coast of the island. Temporary anchorage is available along the northwest shore only. Navigating the waters of Desolation Sound does involve careful inspection of the charts and vigilance at the helm. There are rocks in and around many of the popular inlets, such as Rosetta Rock at Malaspina Inlet, and the rocks to port when entering Tenedos Bay. A responsible and experienced navigator should not have any problems, providing daily route planning is observed and the GPS is referred to at regular intervals.
