The range of experiences along BC’s coastal waters is nearly unparalleled: from rustic to refined. Each marine resort offers unique experiences, from luxury glamping to family-friendly events. Explore a selection of marine resorts to discover your next incredible adventure, or visit our marinas & harbours page to explore further.
- Page’s Resort & Marina
- Secret Cove Marina
- Union Steamship Co. Marine Resort
- Pedder Bay RV Resort & Marina
- Brown’s Bay Resort
- Telegraph Cove Resort
- Maple Bay Marina
- Blind Channel Resort
Gabriola Island: Page’s Resort for Sunday Fun!
Visit Page’s Resort & Marina on beautiful Gabriola Island to immerse yourself in secluded, fully equipped seaside cottages and pristine campground surrounded by forests and ocean views, and a full-service marina providing quiet nightly moorage. No matter how you arrive, whether by land, sea or air, you will enjoy memorable island activities, including kayaking and sailing, incredible diving and fishing, scenic hiking and cycling, a challenging game of golf, or just relaxing in the picnic grounds and gardens.
The Fire Truck Grill
Starting in early May, this unique food truck is open on the lawn at Page’s Inn on Silva Bay Thursday through Sunday. Enjoy stunning views across the bay and out to the Flat Top Islands while you dine on delicious flame-grilled fare, including seared Ahi Tuna, Jamaican Jerk Chicken and lamb burgers, as well as vegetarian options. Created by Chris & Sharon Hooton of Woodfire Restaurant, there is no question you will be impressed by the quality of the food, the service, and weekly specials. Combined with the Sunday Market that opens on the May long weekend, “the lawn” at Page’s Resort is an idyllic location for pets and children (of all ages) to run and play.
Visitors are also invited to visit the Pier Gallery Artist Collective – a jewel of a gallery also overlooking the Bay. The bright new space is perfect to wander and find inspiration from the incredible works of over 25 local artists.
Sunshine Coast: Secret Cove Marina for Fantastic Day Trips!
Located on the Sunshine Coast, across the Strait of Georgia from Nanaimo and adjacent to Smugglers Cove & Thormanby Island Marine Parks, Secret Cove Marina offers moorage from 20ft. to 140ft. vessels. Here you’ll also find a floating store and “La Bettolina Restaurant,” plus a full range of fantastic services – including a terrific selection of wines, gourmet foods, freshly baked rustic breads and Hills Fine Meats.
Day Trips
Secret Cove is an ideal base camp for day trips to explore some fantastically fun islands and anchorage parks nearby. Smuggler Cove and Buccaneer Bay are less than 15 minutes by boat. Jeddediah Island and Sabine Channel are just across the strait, and Garden Bay/Mt Daniel (or Pender Hill for a less intense hike and hidden gem) are just north of the marina. You can also hop over to explore Texada and Thornby Islands or head down to the quaint seaside village of Sechelt for a day trip.
Smugglers Cove Marine Park has a nearly hidden entrance which once offered a harbour for illegal marine traffic, including rum runners during prohibition. The trail winds along bog and wetlands, with bridges built by Parks Canada to protect sensitive ecosystems created by beaver dams. You may see a wide variety of marsh and coastal plants, animals and bird life. To find the trailhead via water, head to the north end of Welcome Passage. Entry is best made at low tide when reef and rock projections are visible. There are many eye bolts located along the shoreline to accommodate stern lines and an excellent place to go on the hook for the night as a protected anchorage.
Take a day trip to Skookumchuck Narrows Park for trails to viewpoints overlooking the incredibly turbulent tidal rapids, spectacular whirlpools and raging whitewater. On a three-metre tide, current speeds can exceed 30 km (18.6 miles) an hour. Approximately 200 billion gallons of water flow through the narrows connecting the Sechelt and Jervis Inlets – the same amount of water that falls on the Earth each year! Note: crossing the narrows should only be done at a slack or high tide. Download the Skookumchuk Best Viewing Times guide for more info and visit this hiking guide for details.
If you’re looking to explore at a different pace, consider renting kayaks or paddleboard from the marina, or you can arrange for drop off on the sandy beaches of Thormanby Island, or to your tee off time at a local golf course for a birdies & boats experience!
Bowen Island: The Union Steamship Marine Resort – Family Fun
The Union Steamship Co. Marine Resort offers the perfect spot to moor your boat and enjoy everything idyllic Bowen Island has to offer. Known as a haven for rest, relaxation and nature, the island has a wide range of activities on offer. Outdoors there are nature hikes and walks, road and mountain biking, kayaking and paddleboarding, swimming, fishing, scuba diving, beachcombing, picnics, golf…even yoga on the pier during the summer months. Bowen also hosts many outdoor concerts and events.
Fun for the whole family!
In addition to the island itself, the marina is an ideal location for families and groups, with a large lawn-covered play area for kids with easy sightlines to monitor. Plan around upcoming family-friendly festivals and events here and in nearby Vancouver for urban experiences to balance your remote adventures.
Fjords/Islands: Blind Channel Resort for Unique Tours
Blind Channel Resort offers an authentic coastal experience with 2000 ft of sturdy dock space. This includes seven widely-spaced 80 ft fingers, an aircraft dock, and a fuel dock. Book a quiet waterfront cottage at Blind Channel if you’d like a change of pace as it’s the perfect spot to get away from it all! All-inclusive packages include transportation, accommodations and meals. Restock at the general story and tantalize your tastebuds at the Cedar Post Restaurant.
Take a tour
Guided tours at Blind Channel Resort offer a unique opportunity to get to know the region in more depth. Explore ocean rapids, marine wildlife, find the best fishing spots or expand your photography skills with a guided sunrise or sunset photography tour. Not sure what type of tour you want to embark on? Look into a custom tour for a half or full day.
South Island: Pedder Bay for Fishing on the Pacific Salmon “Freeway”
Located just 40 minutes from downtown Victoria in Metchosin, you can enjoy the breathtaking natural beauty surrounding Pedder Bay RV Resort & Marina – a backdrop of the Olympic Mountain Range and the Race Rocks Marine Reserve. Home to a variety of marina facilities including fuel dock, boat rentals, and guided fishing charters, gear rental, and tackle shop, everything you need is on-site! Since you’ll have your own bedding, take a break from the boat and try out one of their comfortable, cozy “bunkies” featuring a queen loft plus twin beds and a fire pit to spend some time getting your land legs back.
Prime Fishing Awaits
Located on Juan De Fuca Strait, considered “The Salmon Freeway” of the Pacific Northwest, Pedder Bay is a hot spot for sport fishermen and one of the few key migration routes where you can find for all five species of Pacific Salmon. Fishing is terrific here all 12 months of the year, but you can also try your hand at halibut fishing, bottom fish and crabbing. Guided fishing charters are highly recommended if you’d like to have an expert’s input on the best places to drop a line. And make sure to check out our fishing regulations page so you’re ready to drop your line as soon as you arrive. Eco tours are also popular here and if you don’t have a boat you can rent one!
Discovery Islands: Brown’s Bay Resort for Picturesque Views
Immerse yourself in nature and connect with the great outdoors at Brown’s Bay Resort, located on the rugged East Coast of Vancouver Island, primly positioned along the busy inside passage heading to/from Northern BC and Alaska. Decompress from the daily hustle and bustle and unwind in luxurious oceanside cabins, cliffside glamping tents, or full-service marina accommodating vessels up to 100”.
Stop and Watch
The Narrows floating restaurant serves delicious, west coast meals and is one spot that’s perfectly placed to capture one of the marinas unique sites: the passing of cruise ships heading up the coastline. The position of Brown’s Bay Resort puts the ships so close you think you could touch them! The area is also popular for migrating wildlife and a serene place to pause, breathe, and watch the world go by.
North Island: Telegraph Cove Resort for Hues of History
Tucked away on the eastern coast of Northern Vancouver Island, Telegraph Cove Resort is a tiny and picturesque location in a snug little bay surrounded by one of Canada’s most historic villages. The sheltered marina can accommodate boats up to 25’ long and offers additional accommodation choices including cozy cabins & historic homes, modern condominium suites and new lodge rooms. The restaurants offer West Coast Cuisine featuring a variety of fresh, local seafood, or you can experience the one-of-a-kind salmon BBQ on the boardwalk or explore the waters by kayak (and watch for whales! Check out the resort’s Things to Do Page for tips on how make the most of your time in one of BC’s aquatic mammal hotspots).
Step Back in Time
Telegraph Cove is one of the last boardwalk settlements left on Vancouver Island, so while you are here feel to stroll the postcard-ready boardwalk community on a self-guided walking tour. Take in the preserved historic multicoloured buildings on stilts dating back as far as 1912 when the community was earmarked for a lineman’s station, as well as a northern terminus for the telegraph line from Campbell River. Stop at the Whale Interpretive Centre, home to the largest collections of marine mammal skeletons in British Columbia for some interesting sights and learn about the creatures that inhabit local waters. And for a glimpse into local First Nations’ history take a day trip to Alert Bay to visit the U’mista Centre and learn about the local Kwakwaka’wakw people and their treasured masks and ceremonial objects used in their traditional ceremonial dance, the potlatch.
South Island: Maple Bay Marina for Exceptional Trails
This lovely marina is 37.7 nautical miles north of Victoria and a perfect stopping-off spot as part of a circle tour or before hopping over to the Gulf Islands. The property is always evolving with extensive upgrades that make each visit feel fresh. Rest in their safe and secure harbour with options for short, long-term and year-round stays at the fully-equipped facility.
Scenic Scenes
Maple Bay Marina is conveniently located at the foot of Mount Tzouhalem, home to the trailhead for short, moderate and long loops with amazing views. Take the Awesome Trail for views of the bay and Sansum Narrows separating Saltspring from Vancouver Island.
Bonus: Take a walk (about 30 min) along the coastline to Hand of Man Museum, the Museum of Natural History, Cultural Arts & Conservation to learn about global efforts towards conservation through education and awareness and witness the traditions and historic tools used to harvest and gather for centuries.
Ready to start exploring? Check out our moorage finder, browse circle tours for inspiration or use our interactive map to plan your route!
One of my favourites is Otter Bay Marina on Pender Island. It’s a short trip from Saanich and is an elegant resort with meticulously clean facilities. There is a heated adult only pool and another family friendly pool. It’s beautifully landscaped with many hanging baskets and two gas fire seating areas in the garden. A large grass area is equipped with many games like Bocce Ball and frisbee golf. Electric bikes are available for rent, and the golf course is in walking distance. The cafe has coffee, fresh baked pastries, ice cream, and some wonderful wines from the local Sea Star winery.