BC’s Iconic Desolation Sound

The inlets of Okeover, Lancelot, and Theodosia are just outside the Desolation Marina Park boundary. Pretty coves and nice anchorages can be found in these inlets, which are seldom visited by boaters.

The lovely cove behind Susan Islets off of Lancelot Inlet makes for a nice anchorage

After a nice evening with friends at Okeover, we headed up Okeover Inlet, turning north into Lancelot Inlet and discovered a pretty cove tucked behind Susan Islets.

The large bay at the end of Theodosi Inlet is seldom visited by pleasure boats

From here you can enter Theodosia Inlet; the second neck of this inlet leads into a large bay. The area feels quite remote; although there is log booming along the southeast shore of the bay, there's lots of room to share. An extensive drying flat is at the head of the bay, which might provide some bear viewing opportunities.

Heading back out these inlets, we turned northwest into Wootton Bay, which is within the Desolation Park boundary; however, a good portion of the shore lands within the bay are private with “absolutely no trespassing” signs posted. The bay is intriguing, peaceful, and beautiful.

Peaceful Wootton Bay is a hidden gem

We put the anchor down for a short lunch stay and enjoyed the peaceful setting. From our boat we could see an open grassy area with what looked like the remains of an old orchard.

Our curiosity ran wild viewing these sculptures at Wootton Bay on the grassy knoll

We could also see what looked like wood or stone sculptures. Was this the site of an old homestead? Or the home of an artist? Or is this a First Nations Site? Research thus far has failed to tell us anything about this intriguing spot. While visitors can't go ashore at the most attractive spots, Wootton offers a pleasant overnight anchorage.

Grace Harbour within Desolation Marine Park has plenty of space to anchor

From Wootton Bay, we circled around the southern end of Gifford Peninsula into Grace Harbour, a bay within Desolation Sound Park with plenty of anchorage and 16 stern-tie installations for visiting boaters.

Three boats stern-tied in Grace Harbour; it's party time

When Prideaux Haven on the northeast side of the Park is full, boaters can often find space in Grace Harbor on the southwest side of Desolation Sound Marine Park.

Desolation Sound is one of the most beautiful locations in British Columbia and one of the most popular destinations among boaters. In clear weather, the scenery is breath-taking. Captain George Vancouver first sailed these waters in 1772; seeing the landscape as remote and forbidding, he named the area Desolation Sound.

Desolation Sound is breath-taking, making even the largest boat feel small

Galley Bay has 9 stern-ties to choose from or find room to anchor

Continuing our clockwise direction around Gifford Peninsula, we stopped at Galley Bay to spend the night. Located on the northwest side of the peninsula, Galley Bay offers anchorage and 9 stern-tie installations for secure moorage and is within the Desolation Sound Park boundary.

Our backdoor view from Galley Bay

The bay is divided by a small point; we chose the western portion of the bay, which in our opinion, has the best views of Desolation Sound; however, the stern-ties in the eastern portion are positioned above deeper water and easier to use. Galley Bay is another one of those not as well-known hideaways.