Desolation Sound Flotilla - October 5, 2010 - Prideaux Haven to Grace Harbour

We woke to a beautiful apricot-tinged sunrise and clear skies. The rugged mountain vistas were quite dramatic in the clear morning light, and several people took advantage of our late start by kayaking and dinghying around the coves, treasuring the magical feeling of this place. The crew of Sea Fox enjoyed a show put on near their boat by a family of playful river otters. Eventually (and somewhat reluctantly) we weighed anchor, and slowly wended our way out of Prideaux Haven to continue our exploration of Desolation Sound.

We wove our way between small islets and islands, took a turn around lovely Tenedos Bay, then made our way round the Gifford Peninsula (which is barely connected to the mainland) to Malaspina Inlet, and then into Grace Harbour. Grace Harbour is another protected anchorage which is part of the Desolation Sound Marine Park. There was plenty of room for all the boats to anchor, which everyone did quite speedily. Again, the kayaks and dinghies were put into the water, and, again, there was a group which opted for a nature hike with Emmelina. We were all quite intrigued by the swarms of moon jellies which seemed to fill the cove, drifting lacily through the water. Just another relaxing day in Desolation Sound.

Our weather has been almost unbelievably beautiful throughout this trip, which has only added to our enjoyment of this area. Our experience has certainly been a far cry from Captain George Vancouver’s description of this area “as gloomy and dismal an aspect as nature could well be supposed to exhibit”. How surprised he would be to know his Desolation Sound draws people from around the world to visit its scenic grandeur.