Checking In with Customs at Poet’s Cove Marina – Bedwell Harbour, BC

Bedwell Harbour – Physical check-in with Canadian Customs at Poet’s Cove Marina

When entering Canada by water, boaters have to check into Canadian Customs at the first available Customs Station. After anchoring in Prevost Harbor off Stuart Island in the San Juan Islands, we headed into Canadian waters early the next morning. The San Juan Islands are located off mainland Washington (at the northwestern furthest point in the 48 contiguous United States). Our destination was only six miles or so north, across the Canadian border to South Pender Island where we docked for a physical check-in with Canadian Customs at Poet’s Cove Marina in Bedwell Harbour.

With passports and boat papers in hand, I headed up to the office. Sometimes they have a physical boat inspection to make sure you’re not bringing anything illegal into the country. Illegal items might include items such as chicken, fresh produce, plants, too much alcohol, guns, or drugs. However, on this trip, I made a phone call check-in and was assigned a cruising permit number. Within five minutes, we were good to go.

We continued our day’s cruise over to Vancouver Island then down into Saanich Inlet. We then headed south to Todd Inlets and Butchart Cove. I had read about a renowned garden that I thought Lisa would enjoy touring. But first, we toured Bedwell Harbour. There is a well-known resort there, Poet’s Cove Resort and Spa, that we wanted to check out. If we had time and could stay a few nights, it might be fun to stay there to enjoy the amenities.

Checking in at customs was pretty quick and uneventful. It’s important to have all your ducks in a row and information handy when crossing the border.