Cape Mudge



Departing Lasqueti Island

After a peaceful, serene evening at Lasqueti Island, we departed the following morning for the town of Campbell River on Vancouver Island.  Campbell River is accessed through Discovery Passage, a long narrow water way created by the proximity to Quadra Island lying just eastward along this area of Vancouver Island.  Strong currents run through this channel including off Cape Mudge, located on the southern tip of Quadra Island.  

Sisters Lighthouse northwest of Lasqueti Island

The current also changes direction just prior to Cape Mudge.  We approached the area around 2pm and checked the current tables which indicated a 3 knot current flowing northward and within two miles would change to a southward direction.  More importantly, by the time we would reach Cape Mudge, we would be going against a 7 knot current!  Seymour Narrows north of Campbell River would be running 15 knots, but that’s another challenge for another day.  

Boats fishing over Wilby Shoals

We decided to motor east of Wilby Shoals and Cape Mudge to wait it out.  We turned off the engines and sat for a couple of hours enjoying the views, watching all the fishing boats, and catching up on some reading.  Other options included anchoring for the night on the east side of Quadra Island or on the west side of Cortes Island.  Since we had reservations for a slip at Campbell River and planned to take on fuel, water, and supplies, we stuck with our original plan.  We left our scenic spot around 5:30pm and made our way towards Cape Mudge, the current would be running between 3 and 4 knots by the time we reached the area, a more acceptable number. 

Mudge Lighthouse

We passed Cape Mudge Lighthouse after 6pm and could see and feel the effects of this small 3 plus knot current.  We reached Campbell River around 7pm and pulled into our assigned space at Coast Discovery Marina.  

Current as we approach Campbell River

We immediately met our neighbors, the Browns, who own a ranch north of San Francisco and live on their boat during the summer months.  Their vessel once served as a shrimping boat and we learned that she is kept in Seattle, saving themselves the long arduous trek each year along the West Coast.  We look forward to seeing more of our neighbors over the next two days.