Return Trip from Victoria, BC

Did you know there are over 200 Gulf Islands between Vancouver Island and the mainland of BC? This means when you are sailing between Vancouver and Victoria or Nanaimo, you get to see some of these islands which are small and uninhabited.

How were the Gulf Islands formed?

Around 15,000 to 11,000 years ago, the Cordilleran Ice Sheet covered most of BC and the southern part of Alaska. The ice sheet was as much as a mile thick. When it retreated, the ice sheet carved the landscape of the islands.


Sailing between Vancouver and Vancouver Island

Every so often you get lucky and you get the best ferry views between Vancouver Island and Vancouver by parking your car on the outer lanes of the ferry. The advantage of parking on either side of the ferry is that you get a window view. But only after the ferry leaves the terminal can you return to your parked car.

On a nice summer sailing, I like to roll down my windows and get a whiff of the fresh sea air. I'll play some nice sailing music as we go by the islands. Some of my favorite tunes include Christopher Cross' Sailing, Billie Eilish's Birds of a Feather or Enigma's Return to Innocence.







Sailing through the Gulf Islands is so peaceful. TL: As an artist, I was inspired by these islands to paint this:


Here are some interesting things to know when you hear horn blasts from a ship.
Changing Direction:
  • One short blast: Intention to pass on the port side (left).
  • Two short blasts: Intention to pass on the starboard side (right).
  • Three short blasts: Operating astern (reverse) propulsion. 
Restricted Visibility:
  • One prolonged blast every two minutes: Power-driven vessel underway.
  • One prolonged blast plus two short blasts every two minutes: Sailing vessel underway. 
Warning Signals:
  • One prolonged blast: Entering or exiting a blind turn, nearing an obstructed area, or leaving a dock.
  • Five short blasts: Danger signal or disagreement with other boaters' intentions. 
Other Signals:
  • Four short blasts: A vessel is maneuvering in a narrow channel, and other vessels should keep clear. 









Location: Swartz Bay, BC, Canada

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