Finally!

We set out late this morning to cross the Queen Charlotte Strait and enter the furthest north portion of the Broughton Islands group. Like the Strait of Georgia, one needs to plan a crossing carefully because the weather can change quickly and for the worse. As you can see, today was not one of those days.

After about three-and-a-half hours, we turned west into the rarely-visited Drury Inlet. We had timed our arrival to be near slack at the Stuart Narrows. Even so, there are other things that bear close attention. This is logging country, so escaped timber in the water is always a concern. Also large kelp beds, submerged rocks, whirlpools, and sinister gamgs of birds.

The ninety minute ride down the Inlet was spectacular – typical Broughtons on a fine day.

I love these kalaidoscope-like images formed by the rocks and still waters.

We dropped anchor in Sutherland Bay at the head of the Inlet, nestled close to the bank in the hope of seeing bears feeding at low tide. Actaeon Sound lies to our north, accessible via a shallow, twisty, rock-laden passage. We will explore over the next day or two via the Zephyr.

I’ll leave you with a photo of the lighthouse at the end of Malcolm Island.