Chapter 11_Layout 1 10/28/13 3:21 PM Page 141
NORTHERN GULF ISLANDS Chapter 11 Page 141 Courcy has gained fame because it once was the 1920’s compound of Edward Arthur Wilson, an English Sea Captain, who, prior to coming to De Courcy, had first settled on Vancouver Island in his Great White Lodge and House of Mystery near Cedar Point. Wilson declared himself a prophet and pronounced that a meteor was going to destroy everything in the world except this area. His ability to put himself into seemingly unbreakable trances through which he shared his visions, swayed many people into believing him and becoming followers. He later moved his operations across to De Courcy and Valdes Islands. He, and his companion, Madame Zee, were the highly unorthodox leaders of a cult community on De Courcy. It is said that over $400,000 in bank notes and gold bricks were hoarded by the pair and may still be hidden somewhere on Valdes Island. If you happen to meet an old-timer who relates these tales, or if you come upon a copy of the book, Brother Twelve: The Incredible Story of Canada’s False Prophet by John Oliphant, you are in for an interesting story. South Tip De Courcy Island (5): This bay is back-to-back with Pirate’s Cove. The inner bay shallows. Wakes from passing boats can be uncomfortable. Private mooring buoys are in the bay to the west. ★ Pirate’s Cove Marine Park (5): [3475] When approaching the entrance, aim for the white arrow and range marker. The arrow is painted on the shore next to a set of stairs leading to a summer cabin. Stay well off the shoal to port that extends to the Day Beacon. The reef at the entrance extends well beyond this concrete marker. There is also a shoal on the starboard side, as you enter. It is marked by a red buoy. Pass between the red buoy and the Day Beacon. Anchoring in Pirate’s Cove is not as simple as its popularity might indicate. Much of the bottom is soft mud and shale. Because of the crowded conditions, it is difficult to get sufficient scope. Secondly, many a boater has dropped a hook on the shelf that lies along the southern shore of the bay only to find that the anchor will not hold because of the insufficient mud there. Thirdly, a reef extends from the northeastern shore in a westerly direction. This reef dries at low tide. Rings for stern tie-ups are embedded in the rocks. Mooring fees apply. The Parks Department requests that you not tie to trees as it damages them. Winds entering the cove have a swirling effect so boaters need to be onthe-lookout for anchor dragging. There are two dinghy docks, one is to port upon entry and another lies to starboard farther into the cove. No overnight tie ups to the docks. Within the park are campsites, picnic area, drinking water, and hiking trails. No fires allowed. For a beautiful stroll, walk along the park land on the peninsula on the southeastern shore of the cove. Flat rocks, heated in the summer sun, offer resting spots for sun bathers. A path extends south to the cove overlooking Ruxton Passage.
Gabriola Island Beach view toward Entrance Island Lighthouse
Valdes Island: This long island is separated by Gabriola Pass on the northwest side and Porlier Pass on the southeast. Steep cliffs border much of the island. Valdes is a relatively uninhabited island, not linked by ferry service. Unusual rock formations appear to have faces watching you, and a rock house, in the style of Frank Lloyd Wright, is hidden among the ledges. There are attractive beaches near Blackberry, Shingle, and Cardale Points. There is temporary shelter on either side of these points, depending on the wind direction. Much of this land is Indian Reservation land. On the northern shore, anchorage is found in Wakes Cove near Cordero Point and in a bay formed between the three islets at Kendrick Island and the east shore of Valdes. Known locally as Dogfish Bay, it offers good sheltered anchorage and is often used by tugs awaiting favorable currents in Gabriola Pass. ★ Wakes Cove Marine Park: Avoid Wakes Cove in a northwest wind. Kelp may affect anchoring. Walking trails, no camping. Bald eagles, minks, otters and harbour seals are commonly spotted here.
Gabriola Island [3443, 3458, 3463, 3475]
★ Anchorage between De Courcy and Link Islands (6): Link Island is connected to the north end of De Courcy Island and the south end of Mudge Island by drying ridges. There is a small niche between De Courcy and Link islands for temporary anchorage. Beware of an uncharted shoal in the center with only three feet of water covering it at low water. When approaching, note that a pesky rock is off the De Courcy shore north-northwest of Pirate’s Cove, about 100 yards offshore. Use caution when heading to False Narrows from Link Island or Pirate’s Cove. This rock has been coined, Brother Twelve’s Rock. See history of Brother Twelve above.
★ Gabriola Island: Linked by ferry to Nanaimo at Descanso Bay on the island’s northend, Gabriola has many points-of-interest. These include Drumbeg, Gabriola Sands and Sandwell Provincial Parks, Silva Bay facilities, the Gabriola Museum, the Gabriola Island Golf & Country Club and a working alpaca farm. Recreational activities on Gabriola Island include diving, hiking the trails, biking the island roads (rentals available), golf (taxi service available 250-2470049), kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing, sailing, tennis & swimming. Hours can be spent browsing galleries, and shopping at Folklife Village,
2014 Northwest Boat Travel
Photo © Mickey Udal
Madrona Marketplace, The Gabe Thrift Shop & Colleens Home & Fashion Centre. Annual community events include a self-guided Home & Garden Tour in June, the Concert on the Green, Gabriola Theatre Festival and Salmon Bar-B-Q each August and the Thanksgiving Studio Tour each October. A seasonal Farmers Market is held each Saturday at the Agi Hall May-October. Some fun competitions each year include The Brickyard Beast 10K, Gabriola 360, and The Potato Cannon Contest. Contact Visitors Information at 1-888-284-9332, www.gabriolaisland.org or giccmanager@shaw.ca. Degnen Bay (7): Favor Josef Point on entry to avoid the many rocks which surround the island that is located in the center of the bay. A stone wall at the south end has rings for shore ties. Named after pioneer, Thomas Degnen, this bay has limited protected anchorage and a public wharf. The floats have power, a five ton crane, garbage deposit, and telephone. Limited transient moorage, commercial boats have priority. The tidal grid is for emergency use only. Near the head of the bay, on a sandstone rock a few feet above the low tide line, is a petroglyph of a killer whale. Walk-around: A road leads to Silva Bay a distance of about 1-1/2 miles. Drumbeg Park is about 1-1/2 miles southeast of Degnen Bay. ★ Drumbeg Provincial Park: Located on the north side of Gabriola Pass, east of Josef Point, this day use park is known for its sandstone outcroppings and nice beach. Limited, temporary anchorage for small boats only. Picnicking, fishing, diving and hiking are popular. Swimming is also available, but be aware of the strong currents.
★ Gabriola Passage (8): [3475] See current tables for Active Pass. Gabriola Island received its name from the Spanish word gaviota, meaning sea gull. Currents in Gabriola Passage at spring tides reach eight knots maximum, which makes it