{"id":29190,"date":"2026-08-14T11:22:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-14T19:22:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.eskimo.com\/~mighetto\/murrelet\/Wordpress\/?page_id=29190"},"modified":"2026-08-15T17:57:10","modified_gmt":"2026-08-16T01:57:10","slug":"rib-explorer-cortes-island-edition","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.eskimo.com\/~mighetto\/murrelet\/Wordpress\/bc-waters\/rib-explorer-cortes-island-edition","title":{"rendered":"RIB EXPLORER | CORTES ISLAND EDITION"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A handful of places in Desolation Sound<\/a>, Cortes Island<\/a>, and Quadra Island<\/a> are effectively RIB\u2011only \u2014 not because a MacGregor 26X can\u2019t physically enter them, but because the combination of draft, maneuverability, tide timing, turning radius, and abort\u2011window safety makes them realistically accessible only to a shallow, nimble, outboard\u2011powered RIB.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Carrington Lagoon \u2013 Inner Lagoon, discussed below, is one such place. The exploration style is fundamentally different. RIBs in Desolation Sound typically cruise at twice the speed of a Macgregor 26X (22\u201330 knots (comfortable) vs 7-18 knots on a 26x).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every RIB expedition becomes a collection of small truths \u2014 patterns in the light, rhythms in the tide, and quiet moments that stay with you long after the hull is back on the trailer. These notes come from weeks spent running Cortes Bay, Von Donop, Pendrell Sound, and the lagoons and coves that tie the archipelago together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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From August 30 through September 6, the islands offer Quadrapalooza, multiple Heriot Bay Inn music nights, Jazz on the Rocks, and Quadra Fall Fair\u2014plus Cortes Island gallery exhibitions and the tail end of summer music at Gorge Harbour.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

September 1 \u2013 5, 2026  |  10 mph Cruise Speed  |  Dog-Friendly Shore Explorations from Cortes Bay<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sunset Window:<\/strong> Sunset on Cortes Island drops from ~8:05 PM on Sept 1 to ~7:55 PM on Sept 5. All itineraries target a return to Cortes Bay by 7:30 PM for a safe margin before dark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cortes Bay gives you the cleanest access to Desolation Sound, Von Donop Inlet, and Carrington Bay, with Squirrel Cove serving as a fuel, snack, and dog\u2011stretch waypoint<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A MacGregor 26X can explore 90% of Desolation Sound.
A RIB can explore 100%, including the tiny granite pockets, tidal lagoons, and micro\u2011coves that define the region\u2019s magic.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Trip 1 Desolation Sound \u2014 Prideaux Haven<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Prideaux Haven<\/u>:<\/strong> Located on the British Columbia mainland coast north of Powell River, known as one of the world’s most spectacular marine anchorages.

Inner Coves:<\/strong> Includes sheltered spots like Melanie Cove and Laura Cove, famous for warm swimming waters and tight stern-tie anchorages.

Mount Denman:<\/strong> A steep, prominent horn-like coastal peak rising sharply just miles back from the saltwater shore. [1<\/a>, 2<\/a>, 3<\/a>, 4<\/a>, 5<\/a>, 6<\/a>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Desolation Sound<\/a> is the coast\u2019s great paradox \u2014 a place where steep granite fjords rise like northern cathedrals, yet the water warms to swimming temperatures by mid\u2011summer. For RIB skippers, it\u2019s the ultimate playground: narrow passages, tide\u2011timed lagoons, warm basins, and long stretches of glassy water that reward early departures and precise navigation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\uf4cd 11.8 nm each way  |  ⏱ ~1h 22min one way <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Day<\/strong>Tuesday, September 1<\/strong>Depart Cortes Bay8:30 AMArrive Prideaux Haven~9:50 AMLeave Prideaux Haven5:30 PMArrive Cortes Bay~6:50 PMSunset~8:05 PM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Desolation Sound \u2013 Central Basin | 50.150\u00b0 N, 124.833\u00b0 W |<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Desolation Sound (Pendrell, Prideaux, Melanie Cove): No tide constraints for navigation, but shore landings are easiest mid-tide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Theme: Granite fjords, mirror\u2011calm coves, classic Desolation Sound photography.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why This Day<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

September 1 carries a good tidal range (low 3:21 AM at 4.9 ft, high 9:59 AM at 14.4 ft), giving you a rising\/flood tide for the morning run east and high water during your first hours in the Sound. By afternoon the tide is ebbing, which makes for easy oyster spotting on the warm granite beaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\uf4f8 Photo Shots<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n