2017 SunCruiser West Coast

D16 DISCOVERY ISLAND
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CHART D17
1. Gonzales Bay – Rocks and reefs. These hazards earned
the bay its original name, Foul Bay. Gonzales Bay Park
is in the west corner.
2. Trafalgar Park – Has King George Viewing Terrace
which was dedicated in 1990 by two Rotary Clubs. It
has signs which point to 14 different locations giving
distances.
3. Trial Islands – A 23 hectare ecological preserve which
protects the most outstanding known assemblage of
rare and endangered plant species in British Columbia.
Four towers are on the islands with a light at Staines
Point. Ships have come to nasty ends here and dozens
of people have lost their lives. 54 people died in 1904
when the Clallam sank.
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CHART D15
N
N
4. Enterprise Channel – Also known as Trial Island
Pass; loaded with kelp. Mouat Reef at the east end is
marked and challenging. Only those with local knowledge
should cross here.
20ϒ E. Variation
20ϒ E. Variation
NOT TO BE
USED FOR
NAVIGATION
Use official
Canadian
Hydrographic
Charts
5. Gonzales Point – Named for Gonzalo Lopez de Haro
who was with the Spaniards in their 1790 expedition
of the region. He drew the first charts of the Strait of
Juan de Fuca. The golf course here displays a large
Canadian flag.
6. Harris Island – Lee Rock is south, Emily Island is west.
Tod Rock is north as is Fiddler’s Reef.
7. Oak Bay – An 8 kph (5 mph) speed limit. Be cautious in
the passage between Mary Tod Island and the Oak Bay
Marina breakwater. Willow Beach Park at the north
end offers great views, swimming area and beaches.
Mary Tod Is. is grassy with a small breakwater on the
south tip.
8. Mayor Channel – The passage that coastal vessels
usually use. Tides flood to the north and ebb to the
south.
9. Lewis Reef – Marked by a light on a 6.7 m (22 ft) white
tower. Fiddler’s Reef is also marked with a light on a 7
m (23 ft ) white tower. The passage between the two
reefs is known as the Goal Posts.
10. Chain Islets – A 170 hectare ecological preserve which
also takes in Jemmy Jones Island and Great Chain
Island. It was established to protect bird breeding
grounds, wildflowers and marine life. Carolina Reef is
on the north side.
11. Virtue Rock – East of Chain Islets is one of the most
dangerous areas in the region. At low tide it is under
60 cm of water, just enough to catch unsuspecting
boaters who are gazing across Juan de Fuca. Plumper
Passage can produce currents between three to five
knots.
12. Cattle Point – Has two boat launches. Watch for rocks
at low tide to the east when coming into the launch.
Uplands Park is 75 acres and a tremendous spot for
bird watching. Five knot speed limit.
13. Cadboro Bay – Named after the HBC brigantine Cadboro
and is home to the Royal Victoria Yacht Club. Gyro
Park has beautiful sandy beaches, washrooms, kids
playgrounds, and a great view of the bay where there
is good anchorage. Staines Island and Flower Island
are on the east side of the bay.
14. Jemmy Jones Island – Named after Captain Jemmy
Jones whose experience with boats in the region is
less than inspiring. In 1856 his schooner Emily Parker
burned near Clover Point. In 1858 the Wild Pigeon
capsized leaving Victoria. Carolina, his next ship, ran
aground on the island named for him. This suggests
he might have had either a vision or drinking problem.
Foul ground is north to Cadboro Point and it is an ecological
preserve. Baynes Channel North light is at Cadboro
Point.
15. Baynes Channel – Named after Rear Admiral Robert
Baynes. Currents are stronger in the north channel.
Tides flood to northwest, ebb to southeast.
16. Discovery Island – Named after The Discovery, the ship
which carried Captain George Vancouver to this region.
About two-thirds of the island is a marine park with
temporary anchorage in Rudlin Bay. The north side is
an Indian reserve. At Commodore Point there are lots
of rocks. Heavy tide rips can develop.
17. Sea Bird Point – An American paddle steamer, the Sea
Bird, was on its way from Victoria to Vancouver on
September 7, 1858 when a fire broke out. To save lives
the vessel was run aground. In 1886 a lighthouse was
put up.
18. Alpha Islet – Named for the first ship built in Nanaimo,
the Alpha - a 58 ton trading schooner launched in 1859.
On February 1, 1863 she ran aground with a cargo of
coal in a snowstorm.
19. Chatham Islands – Lots of shoals, rocks and reefs to
worry about. Five radio beacons make the islands easy
to identify. The islands belong to the Songhees Indians
and you need their permission to go ashore. At low
water, these low, wooded islands are almost joined
to one another. Fulford Reef (northeast) is a group of
drying reefs.
20. Haro Strait – The border between the U.S.A. and Canada
runs down the middle. Watch for a counterclockwise
current off the east side of Discovery Island when
the tide is flooding.
120 WEST COAST SUNCRUISER