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D'Arcy Island

Transit Date: 
Tuesday, December 30, 2014 - 09:14 to 10:45
Departure Location: 
Cadboro Bay
Arrival Location: 
D'Arcy Island
Total time: 
1H36'
Sailing Hours: 
0.00
Engine Hours: 
1.75
Max speed: 
10.50kts
Average speed: 
6.00kts
Distance: 
8.50NM

Navionics Track

Having the entire day before me, thanks to my incredibly supportive spouse, I decided to explore D'Arcy Island. I've been cruising past it all my life but never stopped here. To be fair, Sidney Spit is only another hour away, which is why we never stopped here as a family. Anchorage is exposed to Haro Strait as well so it's a poor choice to overnight.

There was a 10-15 Knot Northeasterly blowing as I caught the flood tide through Banes Channel and down the strait. I arrived at the South end of D'Arcy Island in a blistering 1H36'! I dropped the hook and rowed ashore. I was eager to hike the Island and had high hopes of catching a glimpse of the Island's sordid past.

It was a leper colony at the end of the 19th century. Now all that remains is the concrete shell of the caretaker's residence and foundations of the leper ruins. It's creepy.

I was relieved to return to the anchorage and find T2 still peacefully at anchor. I sat for a spell on the beach considering the plight of the lepers before rowing back to the boat. As Chef Boyardee was in the galley, I was soon enjoying some delectable ravioli. Mmmmmm.

After a satisfying lunch and a round of dishes, I weighed anchor and returned to port. The trip was uneventful but quick as I averaged 7 Knots with the ebbing tide.

T2 at anchor. South end D'Arcy Island

T2 at anchor. South end D'Arcy Island

One of many stone beaches on D'Arcy Island

One of many stone beaches on D'Arcy Island

D'Arcy Island is a National marine park.

D'Arcy Island is a national marine park.

Take a photo but don't take the map!

Take a photo but don't take the map!

That's me in front of the stairway to heaven.

That's me in front of the stairway to heaven.

What's left of the caretaker's residence.

What's left of the caretaker's residence.

Another shot of T2 at anchor. Sorry, I couldn't resist.

Another shot of T2 at anchor. Sorry, I couldn't resist.

The lepers once lurched about here.

The lepers once lurched about here.

T2 at anchor off D'Arcy Island.