SALONTEA Grand Opening on South Granville

One of the joys of all nautical activities is getting out into nature, away from the hustle and bustle of modern life. But popular sailing destinations, especially on holidays, can often be crowded, making the whole endeavor lose a little something. Whether you’ve just gotten your BC boating license, or an old hand, you’ll get more enjoyment out of your boating in an open, lesser known area.

Here are the top four gems off the beaten path of boating spots in British Columbia.

• San Josef Bay, Vancouver Island: Kayaking. San Josef Bay offers some of the most scenic kayaking in all of BC, but should only be attempted by skilled kayakers because it’s in open waters. Its launch point is moderately difficult to reach, so it’s never crowded. Find the trail-head entrance of Cape Scott Provincial Park and take the 45 minute walk to the bay camp grounds, and plan to launch at high tide.
• Poet’s Cove, Pender Island: Motor boating. This marina was rated as one of the top anchorages in the Western Hemisphere by Motor Boating and Sailing magazine. It can accommodate boats up to 100 feet, and offers an excellent starting point for exploring North America’s largest designated marine. This may be better known that the other spots on this list, but the size means it’s rarely crowded.
• Clayoquot Sound, Vancouver Island: Sailing. Located near Tofino, this area offers a wide variety of exploration opportunities, including a few close islands, open ocean sailing, cruising, and whale watching. There’s a wide array of activities accessible only by boat or float plane, such as Maquinna Provincial Park’s Hot Springs Cove, making it ideal for adventurers.
• Tofino-Ucluelet Coast, Vancouver Island: Kitesurfing This coastline offers fantastic wave kiting, especially in fall and spring. Where you go will depend on that day’s wind, but the diversity of beach-break setups allows for decent kiting on many days. Put in a little exploring, as the stretch purportedly offers a number of epic secret spots. If you’re lucky, a local may even clue you into one or two.