Pierless Blog - 2025-06-19/20 - Refuge Cove to Laura Cove/Desolation Sound

 June 19-20:


We left Refuge Cove at 10:30 a.m. for Laura Cove in Desolation Cove.  This would be short but pleasant trip of about 13 NM or about 3 hours, and would be our first anchorage in Desolation Sound proper.  The provincial park is fairly large, but this section is the most frequented area of the park.

Passing Martin Islands

We made the most of the short trip, passing inside the Martin Islands then between Morgan and Melville islands.  I do enjoy passing close to land when depths allow!  

Morgan and Melville Islands

Threading William and Scobell Islands

Laura Cove is a real gem in the Desolation Sound archipelago- smaller than other anchorages and well protected.  We wove our way through the channels and rocks to our anchorage toward the end of the cove.  There were two other boats at the anchorage and everyone was stern-tied.  Stern-tying is an effective way to accommodate more boats in an anchorage.  You drop your anchor, then back toward shore and run a line to a chain or loop anchored in the rock.  This keeps your boat and others locked into position so you don't swing to the wind or current.  Consequently, more boats can fit into the area since they can't bump into each other.

Stern-Tied in Laura Cove

This was our first experience stern-tying.  It went well and we learned a few things to make the next stern-tie go faster:  Have your line ready and your dinghy in the water before you start!

As we saw in Von Donop, the oysters in Desolation Sound were amazing.  We also observed transparent Lion Nudibranchs in the water along with jellyfish, sea stars, crab, fish and other critters.

Oysters - Pierless in background



Lion Nudibranch (©Emerald Diving)


More oysters!

There are a couple of old cabins from the turn of the last century in Laura Cove and the neighboring cove.  We went to shore to see if we could find any remnants and to stretch our legs.  No cabins found, but possible sites were explored.
Ferns along the trail

We enjoyed two nights in Laura Cove and enjoyed every minute!

- Brian

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