Pierless Blog - 2025-06-14 - To Henry Bay on Denman Island

After untying from the mooring ball in Mark Bay, we travelled north through the channel between the park and Nanaimo.  This passage gives you a view of the city and waterfront features.  We stopped at the end of the channel to fuel up our tanks (water and diesel).  There we met a nice couple in a power boat at the fuel dock.  This is one of the enjoyable aspects of cruising:  You meet many interesting people along the way.

After leaving Nanaimo, we passed Hammond Bay.  This was an alternate anchorage we considered using.  There is a nice lagoon and park (Pipers Lagoon).  There is a small community which lives on the small islands just off the lagoon with an interesting history dating back the whaling days and the great depression.  For more information:   

http://thenav.ca/features/shack-island-the-little-island-that-could/

Continuing on, the day was warm and sunny.  There wasn't much wind, but we did manage a short sail under main and genoa.  The rest of the trip was motoring or motor-sailing.

Dave asleep at the wheel....

We reached Denman Island/Boyle Point around 8 p.m. and arrived at Henry Bay shortly after.  The channel between Denman and Vancouver Island includes a cable ferry that serves Denman.  They use three cables on the ferry.  One to grab and pull the ferry across and the other two to keep it on course.  When the ferry is in use, a red light is turned on at both ends and boats are not allowed to cross the path.  After the ferry crosses, a green light turns on and you can proceed.  Interesting to watch.

Denman Ferry

Soon we entered Henry Bay.  There were several boats anchored, but we found a spot at the depth we wanted that was a safe distance from other boats and dropped the hook.  After everything was secured for the night, we turned on the anchor light, enjoyed the sunset and went to bed.

Henry Bay Sunset

- Brian

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