| Climate Precipitation Winds Currents Destinations |
The region of islands beyond Georgia Strait and Desolation Sound, really not beginning until past Chatham Point, used to be known as ‘the Jungles’. Between Chatham Point and Queen Charlotte Strait is a region of narrow waterways, islands, reefs and rocks, largely unsettled. The mainland is deeply penetrated by fjords, while the Vancouver Island coast is high and hard and offers little shelter.
Cruising in this stage is probably most often under motor, and, for the low-powered displacement speeds of many cruising craft, travel is most controlled by tide, as well as the regular strong northwesterlies in Johnstone Strait.
Climate
The Gulf of Georgia, which arguably runs from the eastern entrance to the Juan de Fuca Strait to Yuculta Rapids, is the warmest portion of the circumnavigation, particularly some of the waters in Desolation Sound such as Teakerne Arm. The Jungles are cooler, the water particularly so, but like all of the west coast the daily range is small. Keep in mind that averages are the usual weather; Chatham Point has reported temps as high as 33.3 (92 F). Temperatures are averages from 1971-2000, compiled by Environment Canada, and reported as average daily high/average daily low in Celsius.
| May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alert Bay | 14.1/6.1 (57/53 F) |
15.7/8.3 (60/47 F) |
17.9/10 (64/50 F) |
18.2/10.4 (65/51 F) |
16.1/8.4 (61/47 F) |
| Cape Mudge | 16.4/7.8 (62/46 F) |
19/10.3 (66/51 F) |
21.8/12.1 (71/54 F) |
21.7/12.2 (71/54 F) |
18.5/9.7 (65/49 F) |
| Chatham Point | 15.1/7.7 (59/46 F) |
17.4/10 (63/50 F) |
19.8/11.8 (68/53 F) |
19.5/12 (67/54 F) |
16.2/10 (61/50 F) |
Precipitation, fog, and clouds
The rainy season in the region is from October to April, but regular precipitation throughout the summer months is normal. Rain is somewhat more common closer to the mainland, somewhat less closer to Vancouver Island, due to a rain shadow effect of the island’s highlands. John Chappell reports more rain for inlets and valleys on the mainland which are open to the SW.
Rain in this region generally coincides with passing lows, and easterly winds, and may last two or three days at a time. About 10 days of any summer month will have rain, and about 10 days will be clear and sunny, and the balance will be overcast to some degree.
Fog is a summer issue in the Jungles and the Queen Charlotte Strait regions. Particularly in SW winds, which tend to be warm and humid, advection fog can form a solid and thick blanket over the cooler waters which may persist for days. This is a not-uncommon feature of Johnstone Strait in warm season, where some relief may occur around noon if the sun has a chance to burn through.
| May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alert Bay | 17.0 | 15.6 | 12.5 | 12.5 | 14.5 |
| Blind Channel | 13.8 | 13.0 | 8.3 | 8.5 | 10.0 |
| Cape Mudge | 14.6 | 14.0 | 9.1 | 8.6 | 9.1 |
| Chatham Point | 15.5 | 14.2 | 9.5 | 10.0 | 12.4 |
Winds
Throughout the inside portion of the circumnavigation local topography strongly influences local winds. Although the weather pattern winds may be westerly, the apparent winds may be anything but depending on your exact location and the geological features which channel, funnel, and block the winds. In most cases the wind will be directed either up or down the waterway, so either favourable or opposed.
Currents
Prior to the removal of Ripple Rock in Seymour Narrows in 1958, the usual route was Rapids Route, a series of channels along the mainland side of the Jungles known for its narrows where tide races were strong and including such features as whirlpools and whitewater. It was that route which led originally to the success of settlements in Desolation Sound, but after Ripple Rock was demolished commercial shipping and fishing craft used the Discovery Passage – Johnstone Strait route.
Even following this route, however, tidal currents and rapids are a vital element of navigating the channels of the region.
Destinations
The number of islands and waterways in the Jungles are somewhat bewildering. The left column contains destinations by island, listed generally from SE to NW, with mainland and Vancouver Island sites listed immediately following islands they are alongside. The right column sorts the destinations by routes and waterways, again working from the Georgia Basin to Queen Charlotte Strait.
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Bibliography:
- Chapell, John (1979). Cruising Beyond Desolation Sound, rev ed. Surrey: Naikoon Marine. ISBN: 0-9692825-0-8
- Environment Canada (2002). Canadian Climate Normals 1971-2000. Retrieved 25 November 2008 from Environment Canada. Website: http://www.climate.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca/climate_normals/stnselect_e.html
We circumnavigated Vancouver Island in 2007 before heading south and onward. This area was one of our favorites. We spent several days at Shoal Bay and highly recommended it. It’s every bit as good as Waggoner’s says but less organized.
By: Shirlee on 9 December 2008
at 0200.48