2017 SunCruiser West Coast

D8 ACTIVE PASS
Continued on
PAGE 108
CHART D10
Continued on
PAGE 100
CHART D9
1. Collinson Reef – The ferry Queen of Alberni ran
aground here in the summer of 1979. The reef is
marked by a green light.
2. Georgeson Bay – Named after one of the island’s
pioneering families, the Georgesons. The Galiano
Bluffs Park provides a great view of Active Pass and
the surrounding islands. Mathews Point (east) was
named after an English family in 1905. Helen Point,
on Mayne Island across the bay, was occupied by
First Nations more than 5,000 years ago. The point
was named for Helen McKay, the wife of Joseph
McKay, a Hudson’s Bay Company’s chief trader for a
period in the mid 1800’s.
3. Active Pass – Named in 1855 after the first vessel
to make use of this pass: “The Active.” The busiest
waterway in the Gulf Islands, it is also one of the best
salmon fishing spots. Active Pass boasts the highest
volume of water flow of any Gulf Island channel; as
much as 750,000 cubic meters of water per minute
can flow through. Tide floods toward Georgina Point
and ebbs toward Helen Point, runs up to eight knots.
Mary Anne Point is marked with a light.
4. Miner’s Bay – Named by miners who canoed from
Victoria to the Fraser River when gold fever struck in
1858-59 during the Barkerville gold rush. Fuel up at
the public dock, but there is serious wash from ferries.
5. Sturdies Bay – A B.C. ferry dock, a small public
Continued on
PAGE 96
CHART D7
N
N
20ϒ E. Variation
20ϒ E. Variation
NOT TO BE
USED FOR
NAVIGATION
Use official
Canadian
Hydrographic
Charts
wharf, shops, a restaurant and shopping. Burrill Point
was named after Frederick and Joseph Burrill from
Yorkshire who ranched for several years near this
point. Bellhouse Park on Burrill Point was given to the
province in 1964 by Mr. L.T. Bellhouse.
6. Whaler Bay – Named after the whaling boats that
used to anchor here. There is a public float which
affords good all-weather shelter. There is no public
wharf on the west side of Gossip Island. Murcheson
Cove was named after Mary and Finlay Murcheson.
The cove dries completely at low tide.
7. Gossip Island – A small bay on the southeast corner.
Watch for seals sunning themselves on the southeastern
tip.
8. Salamanca Point – Named in 1905 after Lieutenant
Secundino Salamanca who helped explore and survey
the channels between Vancouver Island and the
mainland in 1792. East is Lion Islet guarding the entrance
to Whaler Bay. Stay east of the islet.
9. Galiano Island – 14 nautical miles long, Galiano was
named after the Spanish explorer Dionisio Alcala Y.
Galiano discovered the Gulf Islands in 1792 aboard
the schooner Sutil. It is the sunniest of the Gulf Islands.
10. Georgina Point –One of the newest additions to the
Gulf Islands National Park Reserve—sits at the entrance
to Active Pass. This popular day-use area, long
managed by the Mayne Island Parks and Recreation
Commission, provides spectacular views across
the Strait of Georgia. It is one of the island’s most
treasured heritage places. Named for Georgina
Mary Seymour, daughter of Sir George Cranfield
Berkeley. The first lighthouse was cared for by
Henry Georgeson in 1855. Georgina Shoals (east)
is one of the best sites for experienced scuba divers
as there is lots of aquatic activity. Maude Bay
on the west side was named after Commander Eustace
Maude.
11. Mayne Island – Mayne Island’s 21 square
kilometres are home to about 900 people. The
community has many services, including grocery
stores, restaurants and pubs, a liquor outlet, service
station, government docks, a bakery, deli and
small art galleries. The island is also well known
for its bird watching opportunities, and marine
mammals can readily be seen off-shore. Cycling
and kayaking are popular activities for visitors.
An active Parks and Recreation Commission is
working with Parks Canada on an expanded trail
system, enhancing their community parks, and
developing and maintaining several heritage
sites—such as Georgina Point Lighthouse and the
Japanese Garden. Visitors are advised to make arrangements
in advance for their accommodations.
There are inns, bed and breakfasts, cottages and
camping opportunities.
12. David Cove – A small paved public boat
launch. The three-masted barque, the “Zephyr,”
sank here in 1872.
13. Campbell Bay – Named for Dr. Samuel Campbell,
assistant surgeon on the HMS Plumper. Good
sheltered anchorage from north winds and a sandy
beach at the head that you can dinghy to. Edith
Point was named for the daughter of Chief Justice
Cameron.
14. Bennett Bay – Watch for rip when entering
between Georgeson Island and Mayne Island. Not
much shelter from southeasterly winds. Georgeson
Island has been afforded the highest level of protection
by Parks Canada therefore it is authorized access
only. Part of Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, the
Campbell Point peninsula features a walking trail
through mature forest to superb views of nearby
Georgeson Island.
15. Horton Bay – Named after Robert John Horton in
1862. He worked for the HBC and helped the surveying
officers in the region. Public wharf, small boat
launch and pay phone. Curlew Island has peacocks
on it. Georgeson Passage has tides and currents that
run up to 5 knots.
16. Conconi Reef – Honors Thomas David Conconi, the
paymaster in the HMS Pylades from 1859-60. Piggott
Bay offers temporary anchorage. Watch for winds
blowing up Plumper Sound.
17. Village Bay – The only ferry terminal for Mayne.
There is a boat launch at the head of the bay. South
is Dinner Bay with a community park, washrooms,
showers, running water, covered picnic area, playground,
volleyball net, horseshoe pitch and barbecue
grills.
18. Enterprise Reef – Bears the name of an HBC steamer.
Do not pass between the light and the marker. It
marks a very dangerous reef.
98 WEST COAST SUNCRUISER