Hakai Beach to Bottleneck Inlet


Up at 5 for a 5:45 departure as we planned 70 miles today. The cruise would take us through numerous narrow passages, and channels eventually bringing us to rest in Bottleneck Inlet on Finlayson Channel. We started by deeking out the north arm of Kwaksua channel which empties into Hakai Pass. A short crossing it is still exposed to the Pacific swell and we rode out the lazy 8 foot swell across the pass and into Edward and then Nalau Pass. Spectacular morning and scenery as we entered Fitz Hugh Channel and made our way up to Bella Bella. A quick stop on the Shearwater side for lunch, some ice and a few provisions and we were off again. The weather was great and only a lazy west swell at Ivory lighthouse and we ducked into the narrow Reid Pass. One lone cruiser ahead of us as we wound our way into Mathieson Channel, sighted out second Humpback of the trip and were joined briefly by some Dall’s porpoises. We slipped through the very narrow Jackson Pass with 1 fathom under the keel, and the branches almost brushing our sides, not so unnerving as we had been through many times. Into Finlayson Channel and across the bar into Bottle Neck Inlet. One of our favourites, it is a narrow basin that opens up into a beautiful calm anchorage. The only boat there we set the hook and the crab pots looking forward to the mornings catch. A long day but one of our favourites!!!