Barkley Sound - Chart 3671

Submitted by Niels W. Bang

As I have not sailed here, all my knowledge stems from the book “Exploring Vancouver Island’s West Coast”.

As you enter Barkley Sound, Ucluelet is known as a “safe landing place”.

Getting in to Ucluelet use caution, and if the weather is rough it is recommended to avoid Caroline Channel and use Feline Channel.

Anchorage is possible in Ucluelet Inlet, see page 226 (Spring Cove and Stuart Bay).

In Ucluelet there are generally 3 choices: Two public docks, or pick up a buoy on either side of Lynske Island or stay inside the small boat harbour. D, E and F are for pleasure and commercial crafts.

Ucluelet is a full service town. Petro Canada, Esso and Chevron all have fuel docks.

If you decide to stay a couple of days there is a great “Wild Pacific Trail”, starting at the lighthouse at Amphitrite Pt. (Brochure will go on the blog).

To explore Barkley Sound I would strongly recommend to follow the book as it seems to give an incredibly accurate description of anchor places and what to see.

The Broken Group and Pacific Rim National Park seem to be a Paradise for kayakers to explore – and there seem to be quite a few anchor places for bigger boats, too. But, as I said before use the book as I have not been there before.

The only waterway we have been on is the Alberni Inlet up to Bamfield – we took a day trip on “Lady Rose” from Port Alberni to Bamfield and back. It was a very scenic trip.

In Robbers Passage between Tzartus and Flemming Island, Port Alberni Yacht Club has an outstation, and guests are welcome. Bigger boats have to enter from Imperial Eagle Channel side, as Robbers Pass is only 2 m. deep.

Bamfield has all services available. The dock is for store use only - not for overnighters. There are mooring buoys north of Burlo, but they are busy in the summer months. Anchoring between the buoys can be done.

Grappler inlet 0.25 miles east of Bamfield has a lot slower pace than the Bamfield Inlet. There are numerous small bays in Trevor Channel to be explored.

Dodger Channel is one of the best sites for anchoring, viewing, and experiencing the exposed coast of Barkley Sound before heading towards Victoria.

The channel is well sheltered in fair summer weather, but not a place to be caught in in foul weather.