Potts Lagoon - West Cracroft Island was the perfect spot for our first anchorage while in the Broughton Islands – Potts Lagoon, named for Murray Clark Potts, the area’s first settler who staked a claim there, way back in 1908, is convenient for accessing the islands closest to Vancouver Island and Port McNeill, in the northern Johnstone Strait / Broughton Archipelago region of British Columbia, Canada. As we headed into the anchorage, we passed a logging business on shore and a few float homes. Not much to report on our stay there, as we were mostly alone in the anchorage…

It was a Foggy Morning at Our Goat Islet Anchorage Goat Islet Anchorage is a protected cove used by cruisers exploring Knight's Inlet and Johnstone Strait. By the time we left, the fog had lifted, but what beautiful scenery we enjoyed while anchored there. We just stayed one night, so much territory yet to cover in the Broughton Islands. Tomorrow we'll go looking for whales in Johnstone Strait and Blackney Passage. Kelley, from Lagoon Cove, gave us some info as to where people seem to always spot whales, Cracoft Island. We would love to get a glimpse of some humpback…

Our First Humpback Sighting at Blackney Passage and Johnstone Strait, Off Cracroft Island— Thanks to the kind folks at Lagoon Cove, we knew just where to go to have a pretty good chance of having our first humpback sighting. Apparently, a lot of boaters have claimed to see whales consistently near this island and passage. As soon as we could see around the island, we first spotted a cruise ship slowing down. We weren’t sure why until we spotted the distinctive whale’s tail flap out of the water and disappear. It appeared to be fairly close to the cruise ship,…

Spout Islet, overlooking Blackfish Sound, is located off the shore of Hanson Island in the Broughton Archipelago– The bay beyond Spout Islet is popular with boaters because of its good holding ground. It is also well-protected from westerly winds. An excellent spot to be on the lookout for whales and to watch passing cruise ships. As we do at most anchorages, we spent the afternoon watching the antics of the birds and fish jumping out of the water; occasionally, a seal will swim by while checking us out while we cook or play Mah Jongg. Sometimes it's just entertaining to…

Marina at Port McNeill For Supplies & Laundry – With a "Boil Water" Notice in Effect – If spending more than a few days or weeks in the Broughtons, most boaters, especially those with small boats, will need to visit Port McNeill at some point. Situated at the northern end of Vancouver Island, Port McNeill is a small town within reasonable reach for boaters cruising the Broughton Islands. We were running out of water and food, especially fresh produce, and since we had been cruising for about a month now from Anacortes, we had to do laundry. We needed to…

Pearse Island Satisfied Most of Our Anchorage Needs– Most of our nights, while in the Broughton Archpegleo, will be at anchor. With only a few good marinas available and our affinity for anchoring, Jim’s research will most certainly take us to some scenic lagoons, coves, bays, islets, and inlets. Jim has an innate ability to plan our cruising days and nights to be as seamless as possible. We’ll throw the hook in the afternoon after a day of cruising and sightseeing. Some days we’ll only anchor one night, but if we really like a spot, we’ll anchor two or three…

Our Waddington Bay Anchorage Was Well-protected and Calm– Waddington Bay Anchorage is on the northeast shore of Bonwick Island within the Broughton Archipelago Marine Park in British Columbia. Kismet spent several days at anchor here because it was so beautiful. We remember the last time we were here: a black bear would come down to the beach every night at low tide and flip rocks while looking for food. No such luck this time. The rock formations reflected on the glassy water have fascinated me while cruising and anchoring, especially here at Waddington Bay. The images change as the light,…

We Enjoyed Our Cruise to Monday Anchorage – The route to our next anchorage was exceptional, with thick fog, glassy water later in the morning, and partial sunlight illuminating the boulders on shore. We passed an area known as the White Cliff Islets. This is a popular area for kayakers, boaters, and campers.             The anchorage at Monday Cove, which sits between Tracey and Mars Islands, was exceptional! On the day we anchored in Monday Cove, a group of kayakers arrived in the afternoon, during low-tide. We watched as they pulled their kayaks ashore and…