Comox, Silva Bay, Port Sidney and Victoria, B.C. Canada
We pick-up Dave & Renee in Comox. Dave grew up in Comox and his parents still live in the same house he grew-up in. We have a great dinner with Dave’s mom & dad and head out to Silva Bay the next morning (58NM). A pretty straight forward cruise with the exception of being warned (by the Canadian Navy) that we had entered a live ammunition exercise off of Nanaimo and we had best get out of the area as fast as we can. Entering Silva Bay was also pretty unusual, as you must cross the landing and takeoff zone for the local Beaver seaplane service. I could feel the mist from the floats as he roared over us after we cleared his ‘airfield’. On to Port Sidney the next day (35NM) via a current filed cut with on coming tug and tow traffic. We have a nice couple of days exploring the area and visiting with the relatives and then they were off, back to Comox via a rental car. We continue on to Victoria, B.C. (23NM) which, thankfully, when we pull in is pretty quiet. It is definitely one of the busier harbors for its size. Seaplanes, taxi’s, ferries, tourist boats and your general marina traffic - just for starters. We have a great visit with my family, that lives in Sooke, and some fun exploring the gorgeous city. It is amazing to think of this as our last port of call and the next stop for Independence is Anacortes, where she will be prepared for sale…
Sunset over the Comox Marina
All is still for morning departure from Comox to Silva Bay (58NM)
The tiny Silva Bay with many moored boats and one very busy de Havilland Beaver landing and taking off every hour to deliver people and packages through out the islands
Entrance Island Lighthouse
Larry guides us through the challenging cut of Porlier Pass between the Straits of Georgia and Trincomali Channel on our way to Port Sidney
Renee & Dave rejoin us in Comox and experience life on the Independence for a few days
Charming town of Port Sidney actually offers-up some fine weather
Hooks and peg-legs don’t stop this pirate from finding a good time in Port Sidney
We received this map on how to transit the Port of Victoria (after docking!), which has to be one of the busiest on the West Coast. There are countless seaplanes landing and taking off, a very large ferry that comes in and departs twice daily, along with multiple tour operators of small and large vessels, not to mention regular boat traffic like us….and don’t forget the teeny tiny taxi boats that buzz the marina like bees on warm, sunny days.
We are pretty lucky to arrive at a quiet time of day
The only event the day we pulled into the harbor was the arrival of the boats competing in the first leg of the Race to Alaska (r2ak). As stated at r2ak.com ‘America’s longest human and wind powered race’ from Port Townsend/Victoria, B.C. to Ketchikan, AK (self supported - no supply drops). Any boat without an engine can enter. The winner receives $10,000 and second place receives a set of steak knives…no joke. Notice how most of the boats deal with a no wind situation…pedal power!
The competitors boats for the r2ak…all shapes and sizes and configurations
The gorgeous harbor walkway around Victoria Harbour
The Empress Hotel has removed it’s ivy covered facade to preserve the 1908 structure. The Bengal Room has also been closed RIP (est. 1912). They have not decided what they are doing with the space at this time.
So now they have the new Q Bar…with ‘Warhol-Esque’ images of the Queen Victoria…did I mention it was a $60,000,000 renovation in 2017…the property is now owned by the Fairmont Group
Fisherman’s Wharf at Victoria Harbour
The Independence has a great slip at the marina
Right next to us is the busy Harbour Air Seaplane Base
A stunning day for walk around The Parliament Building.
My family Kyle, Aaron and Jennifer Rodd from Sooke, B.C. So happy we could spend time together. Thank you so much for the visit.
Wow, a million dollar view from our boat this evening!
The longhouse at Thunderbird Park with the Kwakwaka’wakw Heraldic Pole carved by Mungo Martin in 1952-53. His grandson, David Mungo Knox, restored the pole 2020
Knowledge Totem by Cicero August in front of the Parliament Building
The Parliament Building where 87 members meet to shape the future of the province. Queen Victoria looks out over the harbour
The r2ak racers getting ready for their big departure tomorrow
Victoria even has a charming little two block China Town
Fort Victoria, built in 1843, is now the Irish Times pub
Emily Carr’s (1871-1945) house. She was an artist and author, who challenged the Canadian landscape painters (all men). In 1927 she met the Group of Seven and forced her way into acceptance with her skill as a painter.
A great view from the Flying Otter Bar and Grill.
We got to tour the r2ak boats today and meet some of these brave sailors…
…off they go! Good luck on winning those steak knives!!!