Anchorage· De Courcy· Salish Sea — San Juans, Gulf Islands & Desolation Sound
Pirates Cove Marine Park (De Courcy Island)
49° 6.0′ N · 123° 44.1′ W
A tight, very sheltered cove on De Courcy Island, once the base of the 1930s cult leader Brother XII. Sandstone ledges, arbutus and short forest trails make it one of the best-loved anchorages in the northern Gulf Islands.
Practical
Coordinate is the OSM bay. Anchor and stern-tie to shore if crowded; check depths on chart 3475. The entrance is narrow with a reef nearby: follow the chart and any markers carefully and go slowly, especially at low tide. Very sheltered once inside. No mooring fee. Two dinghy docks, one on each side of the cove. Walk-in campsites (reserve through BC Parks). No fires. Poison oak grows on the rock bluffs. Pets on leash and not on beaches. BC Parks bans dumping sewage or grey water while moored in its marine parks. Dodd Narrows is about 4 nm north-west and Gabriola Passage about 3 nm east.
Best for
Hurricane-hole night, history walks
Season
Year-round; crowded July-August
Nearby
- Wakes Cove (Valdes Island)2 NM away
- Degnen Bay (Gabriola Island)2.3 NM away
- Kendrick Island Anchorage (Gabriola Passage)2.3 NM away
- Drumbeg Provincial Park (Gabriola Island)2.5 NM away
- Silva Bay (Gabriola Island)3.4 NM away
- Gabriola Farmers Market (Gabriola Island)6.4 NM away
- Ladysmith Harbour Marinas (Ladysmith)6.9 NM away
- Transfer Beach Park (Ladysmith)7.2 NM away
Place data includes © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).