Anchorage· Saturna· Salish Sea — San Juans, Gulf Islands & Desolation Sound
Winter Cove (Saturna Island)
48° 48.7′ N · 123° 11.8′ W
A well-protected cove between Saturna and Samuel islands, with a national park reserve shore of lawns, picnic tables and a loop trail past salt marsh to the swirling water of Boat Passage. Usually quiet, except on Canada Day when the Saturna lamb barbecue fills it.
Practical
Coordinate is the OSM bay. Most of the cove is about 2-5 m (6.6-16.4 ft); shallows run out farthest on the south shore and parts dry at low tide. Good holding. Snug in most weather but less comfortable in a strong northwesterly. Current from Boat Passage can exceed 4 knots in the north-east part of the cove, where there are also rocks, so anchor elsewhere and allow for boats swinging different ways. Coming from Plumper Sound, Minx Reef partly blocks the entrance: steer for the north shore of Irish Bay, run well past Winter Point, then turn south into the cove. A sunken boat is reported in the middle; private buoys in the south-west corner. Parks Canada dinghy dock (free for day use) on the east shore, flanked by rock shelves. Pit toilets ashore; no water. Saturna General Store is a long walk round Lyall Harbour. Chart 3477.
Best for
A sheltered night, park walks, Boat Passage at slack
Season
Year-round; very busy around July 1
Itineraries that stop here
Nearby
- Saturna Lamb Barbecue (Winter Cove)0.2 NM away
- Saturna Point Store and Lighthouse Pub (Lyall Harbour)0.8 NM away
- Lyall Harbour (Saturna Island)1 NM away
- Mount Warburton Pike (Saturna Island)2.4 NM away
- Bennett Bay (Mayne Island)2.9 NM away
- Hope Bay Public Wharf (North Pender)3.2 NM away
- Port Browning (North Pender)3.4 NM away
- Campbell Bay (Mayne Island)3.5 NM away
Place data includes © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).