Octopus Islands







Views around Beazley Pass

From Gorge Harbor we headed north through Beazley Pass and the Surge Narrows.  This transit is very tide dependent with currents running up to 12 knots during flood.  (FYI our boat runs at 6knots!) As we had arrived early we prudently waited to slack and continued on to a wonderful marine park, the Octopus Islands.   We heard a lot about this special spot but had been forewarned that it was usually crowded and most likely we would have to do a stern tie!

 Setting the anchor is not a favorite chore!   I operate the boat “gently” backing it down while Al lets out the anchor.  Sounds simple enough but there’s lots more involved.  For example, choosing the length of the anchor chain or rode as it is called.  Length is determined by tide, current and local conditions.  Another big concern in tight anchorages is making sure that you are not laying your rode across someone else’s rode which is often several hundred feet long and far from their boat!   This day we set the anchor with little difficulty and then set about doing the stern tie.  Fortunately, a Canadian gent anchored nearby and who obviously was very familiar with the anchorage, rowed over and helped us tie our stern to a tree on the shore several hundred feet away!  Honestly, he did the tie!  We decided that he had surmised that we might need a little help!  Thank goodness.  A man of few words but obviously good deeds!


Margie Getting help setting the stern tie

Margie's favorite kayak time is checking the tidal zone at a minus tide.

We stayed 3 nights in this lovely spot.  It was a period of full moon and hence extremely low tides.  (BTW at low tide that left our stern line tied to a tree about 15-18’ above where we were anchored!)  There was lots of wild life to observe in both the water and nearby islets.    I especially enjoyed kayaking along the shore viewing lots of very unusual marine life in the sub tidal water.  My favorite was a pink sea cucumber about 3” thick and about 2’ long wound along a rock.  While still light at 10pm, we watched the full moon rise over the tiny little inlet where we were anchored.    For some reason, very few had chosen to visit the Octopus Islands while we were there.  We both agreed that it was one of the most special spots we had yet gone on the boat.

Rising full moon at 10pm...still daylight!

Sorry not to have more pics.  Al took them with waterproof camera and will try to insert later.

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