Premier Listings for Discovery Passage
The Discovery Passage is a body of sea located between Vancouver Island and Quadra Island in the Discovery Islands of British Columbia. The channel links Johnstone Strait to the north with the Strait of Georgia to the south.
Discovery Passage meets Johnstone Strait near Rock Bay Marine Park on Vancouver Island and the west coast of Sonora Island. The eastern shore of Discovery Passage is formed by Quadra Island all the way down to the southern end of the passage at Campbell River, where it connects with Georgia Strait.
Discovery Passage was named in 1847 by Captain Henry Kellett of the British Royal Navy after Captain George Vancouver’s ship, the HMS Discovery, which sailed through this passage during Capt Vancouver’s circumnavigation of Vancouver Island in 1792. HMS Discovery was also the consort ship of James Cook’s third expedition to the Pacific Ocean (1776 to 1780).
The passage, which is 14 miles (25 km) long and approximately 1.2 miles (2 km) wide on average, is an important shipping route that forms part of the Inside Passage between Alaska in the north and Washington state and British Columbia in the south.
Mariners should be cognisant and cautious of the strong currents in the passage, and kayaking and scuba diving in Discovery Passage can only be attempted during slack tide. The current flows at speeds of up to 16 knots through the Seymour Narrows, the narrowest section of Discovery Passage. The currents are phenomenally rich in nutrients and oxygen, and sustain an awesome array of marine life. Many different species of fish, colourful invertebrates, and the elusive giant pacific octopus reside in these nutrient-rich waters.
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Ripple Rock rest area just north of Campbell River on Highway 19 offers a fine view of Seymour Narrows. An interpretive marker here describes the maritime history of the region since it was first charted by Captain George Vancouver in 1792. Despite the blasting away in 1958 of the twin peaks of Ripple Rock, which lies underwater directly east of the viewpoint, large boats are still harassed by the rip tides, swirling currents, and whirlpools that constantly agitate the surface of the Seymour Narrows. The tidal rip offshore is so vicious that when viewed through binoculars it has the appearance of a writhing mass of snakes.
The wealth of the salmon fishery in Discovery Passage between Campbell River and Quadra Island is so legendary that a special ritual has grown up around it over the past century. Called tyee fishing, this method has stringent requirements, but success buys instant membership in the exclusive Tyee Club of BC. Tyee is the appellation given a chinook (king) salmon when its weight exceeds 30 pounds (13.5 kg). Anglers must abide by regulations that stipulate a minimum catch weight of 30 pounds, hooked with an artificial single-hook lure fastened to a maximum 20-pound (9-kg) test line. Oh, and you have to be in a rowboat. (Considering the size of an average tyee, make sure it’s a big rowboat.) The official weigh-in station is at the Tyee Club House beside the boat launch on Tyee Spit, east of Highway 19 on Spit Road in Campbell River.
Cape Mudge Lighthouse on Quadra Island guards the southern end of Discovery Passage and celebrated its 100th birthday in 1998. It is the only one in BC that is accessible by road and is still staffed and fully operational. Linked by a trail to Cape Mudge Village, the lighthouse is located below the bluffs visited by Captain Vancouver in 1792. First Nations petroglyphs from centuries ago can be found at extremely low tide just south of the lighthouse.
Location: The Discovery Passage is located between Vancouver Island and Sonora and Quadra Islands in the Discovery Islands of British Columbia. Access to Discovery Passage is easiest from Campbell River and Quathiaski Cove on Quadra Island in the south of the channel. North of Campbell River, boat launches are located at Rock Bay, Elk Bay and Brown Bay on Vancouver island, and at Granite Bay in Kanish Bay on Quadra Island.
Campbell River
Campbell River is big as Vancouver Island cities go, located in a region rich in natural resources, with towering West Coast forests that have fostered a growing forestry industry and provide great scope for outdoor adventure. Campbell River is the port of departure for the scenic 10-minute ferry ride to Quadra Island, with a connecting ferry to Cortes Island.
Quadra Island
Quadra Island is the largest and most populated of the Discovery Islands. Quadra is a popular destination for visitors from around the world, and is best known for its natural and beautiful wilderness scenery, mild temperate climate, rural lifestyle, and friendly people. A ten-minute ferry ride from Campbell River takes you to charming Quadra Island.
Discovery Islands
The Discovery Islands are part of the chain of 6,000 islands that shelter the British Columbia coastline between Washington and Alaska. Located between Campbell River and the mainland of British Columbia, the Discovery Islands dot the intricate waterways in some of the most spectacular scenery in the world.
Johnstone Strait
Johnstone Strait is a deep and narrow glacier-carved passage extending roughly from Telegraph Cove to Rock Bay, connecting Queen Charlotte Strait in the north to Discovery Passage in the south. Johnstone Strait serves as an important thoroughfare for marine vessels that include cargo freighters and cruise ships bound for Alaska in the summer months.
Small Inlet Marine Provincial Park is located in Discovery Passage at the northern tip of Quadra Island, accessed by boat from Granite Bay. The remote park protects second-growth forest and two small lakes, with Small Inlet providing a protected anchorage in all weather conditions. Boaters also utilize the anchorage to wait for slack tide, allowing safe passage through the tidal rapids of Discovery Passage, Okisollo Channel and the Hole in the Wall.
Rock Bay Marine Provincial Park is a marine park incorporating a rocky headland and two adjacent bays on either side of Chatham Point. Consisting of foreshore only, Rock Bay juts out into the ocean at the junction of Discovery Passage and Johnstone Strait. Otter Cove on the southeastern end of the park provides a sheltered anchorage for small vessels waiting to navigate the nearby tidal passes in Discovery Passage.
Premier Business Directory in Discovery Passage, Vancouver Island – Small Business BC
Biographical Info
The diversity of wildlife and awe-inspiring scenery that exists so close to Campbell River is unparalleled. Ideally located near the south end of Discovery Passage, the area is critically important habitat for Killer Whales, Humpback Whales, and so much more. Travel along stunning shorelines and inlets in search of Killer Whales, Pacific White-Sided Dolphins, Dall’s Porpoises, Seals, and magnificent Bald Eagles. Embark on our Grizzly Bear Expedition and observe these incredible creatures feasting on salmon in their natural habitat far away from human civilization. Our tour boats feature an enclosed and heated cabin, two outdoor viewing decks, and an onboard washroom.
Biographical Info
Mailing address:
1561 Galerno Road
Campbell River, BC
V9W 5N6
As Campbell River’s largest tour operator, we offer excursions on and off the water. With a spacious 14-passenger van, we run Guided Hikes, Winery, Distillery, and Brewery tours. We also have 7 marine vessels that include Zodiacs and covered boats, meaning we have something for all comfort levels!
Grizzly, Whale, and Wildlife tours are available ranging from 3 hours to a full day where you can expect to see Humpback Whales, Orca, Dolphins, Porpoise, Eagles, Sea Lions, Black Bears, and Grizzly Bears!
We are the only company on Northern Vancouver Island that is Carbon Neutral, and protecting the environment is something we deeply care about. For every guest that joins us, 1 square metre of old-growth forest is protected. Join us to create memories that last a lifetime! Boasting 6 consecutive years with a certificate of excellence, you can expect to have a fantastic experience with us!
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Explore BC and Southeast Alaska with Bluewater Adventures aboard our 70′ yachts sailing the BC Inside Passage, the Queen Charlotte Islands, Gwaii Haanas National Park, the Great Bear Rainforest, and Vancouver Island. You’ll see whales, Grizzly, Black and Kermode bears, and experience ancient native villages and Haida culture, primeval forests, wilderness, and amazing coastal wildlife.
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In 1987 we built our off-grid kayaking lodge in the Discovery Islands with a dream of crafting life-changing multi-day sea kayaking experiences. We still live where we paddle, and our passion for exploring our remote corner of British Columbia has only grown stronger.
Guided trips combine skills instruction, wilderness adventure, and meals prepared from our own garden produce, local sea foods, and home baking. Our kayaking tours explore sheltered routes amid marine parks, abundant wildlife, and rainforest islands – all with spectacular views of the highest peaks of the rugged Coast Mountains.
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Kayaking British Columbia is the ultimate way to view BC’s abundant wildlife.
We want you to fall in love with kayaking and our unique coast, and our passion shows in everything we do. Choose among several professionally-guided 4-8 day trips for all experience levels around Vancouver Island. ‘Glamping’ basecamp-style with wood-fired hot tub overlooking the Pacific Ocean, or expedition-style paddling from camp to camp and paddling between 100s of islands through the Broughton Archipelago, famous Desolation Sound and the wild Great Bear Rainforest on the Central Coast. Savouring a fresh salmon BBQ in the open air, explore and view fascinating wildlife and wilderness and wake up on remote islands with the sound of the whales. Unique and breathtaking.
Our adventures are for everyone and are designed to cater to all levels of experience and abilities. We take care to introduce you to the sport in a fun and safe manner. All that we ask is that you welcome adventure with an open mind and are able to laugh and have fun when encountering the unexpected. Our groups are small, ranging from 8 to 13 people, depending on the trip, in order to provide you with the best experience possible. We provide everything you need for a once in a lifetime kayaking adventure. We provide high-quality fiberglass kayaks, paddling equipment, camp cookware, eating utensils, and camping gear.
Our guides take care of you for the entire duration of your tour, prepare delicious, organic and local meals, and have extensive training and experience in sea kayaking and in sharing the natural and cultural history of the area.
During the Northern Hemisphere winter, we also offer kayaking trips to the glacier-fed South American wildlife paradise, the Chilean Patagonia Archipelago, and multi-day escapes to sun, sand, remote beaches and the warm crystal clear waters of the Bahamas. Please contact us for all details of these amazing winter getaways!
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It’s a Coastal Lifestyle … Live It!
Specializing in marketing and selling local residential, recreational, unique oceanfront and commercial real estate throughout Campbell River, northern Vancouver Island, Discovery Islands, the Outer Islands and the BC Mainland Coast. Our real estate listings include homes to small oceanfront and lakefront recreational lots, private islands, remote island acreages, fishing lodges, wilderness / adventure resorts and vacation homes, oceanfront / lakefront cabins, marinas, remote & timbered acreages, and development investment properties on the west coast of BC and Vancouver Island – BCO has the Coast covered!
The BC Oceanfront Real Estate Team loves to bring people to the coast and introduce people to the coastal lifestyle. All members of the team live an active coastal lifestyle, and they bring that passion for the coast to all that they do. All three agents have their own boats and are very familiar with the many different regions surrounding central and northern Vancouver Island. With a team behind you, you can be sure that someone is always at hand to answer questions and lend assistance.
