The 2024 rendezvous will be on May 24 to 26
It’s going to be at the same location, beautiful Montague Harbour Marine Park with its sheltered waters, good camping right close to the dock and a shuttle bus to the local pub. We normally hit the pub for dinner on Saturday, but it’s not unknown for some dedicated folks to hit it both Friday and Saturday. However, one of my favourite things is sitting around a campfire, toasting something (we’ve had marshmallows, corn and oysters so far, bring what you will) as well as toasting each other while the stories fly.
US boaters are reminded that passports are required for cross border travel.
Note that this rendezvous does not provide support and no one will be tracking you. Safety is entirely up to the individual – it is up to you to ensure your boat is up to snuff and that your skills are adequate for ocean sailing.
Montague Harbour Marine Provincial Park is located on Galiano Island in the Canadian Gulf Islands. Galiano can be reached via BC Ferries from either Tsawassen on the mainland, or Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island. Drive-in and walk-in campsites are available in the park. There is an excellent launch ramp on the north side, although larger boats/trailers may want to use it above half-tide. On the south side, the harbour itself is a large, protected bay, with a smaller gravel beach beside the lagoon, moorings for larger boats and some dock space. The bay offers good holding for anchors.
It’s a short row around the Gray Peninsula, from the boat launch to the bay. Inside the harbour there’s room to play, despite the rows of moorings, and if the wind is favourable, there are other islands and destinations for the adventurous. Montague Harbour Marina at the south end of the harbour. For those who prefer not to camp, there are a number of fine bed and breakfasts on the island, not to mention some fine dining. And some less expensive eateries for the rest of us — you can even have pizza delivered to your campsite! Check the Galiano Island website for details.
Finally, as if all this isn’t enough, there is a regular shuttle bus from the park entrance to the island’s only pub. This is an important safety feature in case of dehydration, snake bite etc. (I mean, just because no one’s ever been bitten by a garter snake doesn’t mean it can’t happen, does it?)
So mark your calendars now and come and enjoy the finest sailing in the world, in BC’s Gulf Islands.
Salish Sea Small Boat Rendezvous 