Chapter 15 - Northwest Georgia Strait
Leaving Nanaimo and cruising up the *Georgia Strait along the Vancouver Island coastline, you don’t have to go far to find a welcoming harbour. Schooner Cove has a marina with opportunities to golf, walk and bike, or take a swim at the beach. The two small islands offshore, Hornby and Denman both have small public docks, as well as unique attractions. Visit a winery on
Hornby Island or arrange a tour of the Denman Island Chocolate Factory. For larger moorage options, the town of Comox has
four marinas. With 14,000 residents, Comox offers a variety of services, facilities and attractions. The historic Filberg Heritage Lodge and Park is worth visiting, especially in August during the
Filberg Festival a four-day annual art event. Moving toward the Sunshine Coast,
Texada Island has good moorage at Van Anda at Sturt Bay.
*A note of caution for mariners cruising or crossing the Strait of Georgia in this area. Area Whiskey Golf (WG) is a torpedo test range clearly marked on Canadian Charts 3512 and 3459 and on U.S. NOAA Chart 18400. A Canadian Armed Forces station on Winchelsea Island controls the operations and all vessels in the area. For information, ‘Winchelsea Control’ can be raised on VHF Channels 10 or 16, or monitor VHF Channels 21B or WX3, or call 250-468-5080.
