Wallace Island
14 July
Wallace Island Marine Provincial Park is only accessible by
boat. This park lies in Trincomali Channel between Galiano
Island and the northern tip of Saltspring Island, off
southern Vancouver Island. Boats can enter the sheltered anchorages at Princess
Bay and Conover Cove from Houston Channel.
Princess
Cove
We read
great reviews on Wallace Island and departed Ganges Harbour for Wallace. We
poked our nose into Conover Cove first, but the bays looked full with a few
boats anchoring and most stern tying to shore. It was just too tight for us at
55’ so we moved up to Princess Cove. There were a couple of boats swinging at anchor,
but they were smaller than us.
We found a spot to stern tie, a skill we have
not yet mastered and proceeded to provide the cove with some entertainment.
Little did we know that the fun had not yet begun!
 |
| Stern-tie, drop anchor out front, then back in and tie rope from stern of the boat and tie to tree, rock or chain ashore. |
 |
| Aerial shot of Princess Cove |
 |
| Bald eagles |
After a walk
ashore and a dinghy excursion with Gill, we disembarked, tied the dinghy to the
boat and relaxed until Happy Hour.
Princess
Cove is narrow and shortly before 6pm, the wind blew up and just howled through the cove,
causing Kaos to act as a sail and drift sideways towards other boats. I was
enjoying a shower when the engines started, and I could hear voices …… not a
good sign! Once the engines went into gear, I knew all was not well and dashed
out of the shower, wet hair and pulling on underpants and shirt as I ran up the
stairs. Alan had cast off the stern line to release the tension and I had to climb
in the dinghy, half clothed and retrieve the line.
Mission accomplished, we
drifted into the middle of the anchorage and remained safely swinging on anchor
for the rest of the evening. It is times like this when the boat humbles the
crew that I so wish she were named anything but Kaos!
Now it was
time for cocktails and relaxation before dinner.
We viewed the setting sun aboard, vowing not to stern tie again.
Conover Cove
Next morning, we upped anchor and headed the short distance down to Conover Cove. We were hopeful that some boats may have left, creating space and our hunch was correct.
We spent part of the day walking and exploring Conover Cove.
The park provides limited dock space, dinghy dock, walk-in camp sites and trails.
It is funky and what remains of a 1950's resort. Some of the original buildings remain.
The funky gathering spot for campers and boaters is closed due to Covid. Boaters and visitors leave mementos as decoration.
Next morning, we upped anchor and headed the short distance down to Conover Cove. We were hopeful that some boats may have left, creating space and our hunch was correct.
We spent part of the day walking and exploring Conover Cove.
The park provides limited dock space, dinghy dock, walk-in camp sites and trails.
It is funky and what remains of a 1950's resort. Some of the original buildings remain.
The funky gathering spot for campers and boaters is closed due to Covid. Boaters and visitors leave mementos as decoration.
A short but pleasant visit.
We felt we were rather large and taking up to much space in this small cove. After lunch we headed off to spend the night at Montague Harbour.
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