Alaska      Page 1  Page 2  Page 3  Page 4  Page 5

Alaska with its many waterways, bays and waterfalls offers a lot to the sailor.  Every year, boats set out to make their long journey from big cities including Seattle, California, Oregon and Vancouver to make their "pilgrimage" to Alaska.  Here are some of what the sailors have to say:

Alaska Cruising blogs:
1.  Skylark II -Cooper  Seabird 37
2.  Tangleberry - Hanse 37
3.  Kalema powerboat

Sample Cruising Itinerary from Vancouver to Ketchikan:
Day 1   Vancouver to Pender Harbour
Day 2   Pender Harbour to Lund
Day 3   Lund to Rebecca Spit, Quadra Island
Day 4   Rebecca Spit to Big Bay Marina, Stuart Island
             by pass Johnston Straits and go behind Read Island
Day 5   Big Bay Marine to Port Neville Anchorage
             (2 rapids involved- need to time the tides)
Day 6   Port Neville to Sointulla, Malcolm Island (see map)
             2-day 50 mile trip
Day 7   A bit of flexibility  depending on the wind direction
             can either visit Alert Bay, in Cormorant Island
             Village Island for interesting Indian ruins
             or visit Gifford Island - home of the Windsong Sea Village Resort
Day 8   Shoal Bay Marina or Lagoon Cove Marina
             Both located in Broughton Islands, in sheltered waters
Day 9   Out into the open waters
             From Cape Caution to Ripon Island
Day 10 Tour inside passage through Fitzhugh Sound
             Visit Bella Bella
             Visit Ocean Falls, a ghost town
             Visit Butedale, another ghost town
Days 11 -Prince Rupert
Days 12-15  to Ketchikan   

Port Neville is an inlet off Johnstone Strait in British Columbia. It is accessible only by boat or airplane. There are no public utilities -- no electric lines, no public water, sewer, or garbage collection.  No town, not even a store, but there is a post office.  The place is truly isolated.  Mail is delivered and picked up by airplane on Wednesdays.   It has a government dock.   9 miles away by boat, there is Kelsey Bay in Vancouver Island, which provides moorage, grocery store, a service station, school, restaurant and a RCMP detachment. 

In 1916 the Hansen family homesteaded the 119 acre property.  When logging and fishing was plentiful, the Hansen family store provided supplies including hardware and food.  However, it closed in 1960.  The old log building still exists as a museum and gallery where visitors can buy books or local artwork. 

Alert Bay is located on Cormorant Island, amidst splendid scenery and abundant wildlife. This crescent-shaped island is situated just off the northeast coast of Vancouver Island, approximately 180 miles by water from the city of Vancouver. Located on the beautiful Inside Passage of British Columbia, Alert Bay can be reached by taking a 40-minute ferry ride from Port McNeill.   In August 2008,  Oprah Winfrey, a guest in Jim Pattison's private yacht Nova Spirit was spotted in BC waters including Saltspring Island, on their way to Alert Bay, BC

How to get to Alert Bay by car and ferry:
From Port McNeill there is a Tri-Island Ferry running to Alert Bay and Sointula continuously from 8:40AM to 9:50PM seven days a week.  The terminal in Port McNeill can be reached   by telephone at 250-956-4533.  For a B.C. Ferries schedule go to the B.C. Ferries website and their toll-free number is 1-888-BC FERRY (223-3779).