This page is meant to be an outline of the shakedown adventure cruise we are planning to take aboard the Compass Rose this spring. The plan, as it now sits, is to gather specialists from different outdoor fields to create an example of the places we can go and the things we can do in these beautiful waters. The Trip will take seven days and the general destination will be Barkley Sound BC. I visited these waters when I was cruising with my family as a kid and it stands out as one of the best places we visited in the five years we cruised as a family. It is 120 nautical miles to Uclulete and a few more to Tofino. Unfortunately, there is no longer a customs dock there so we have to clear customs in Victoria. If we cast off at 15:00 people coming from Hood River can be here in time if they get an early start. It’s four hours to Victoria so we could clear late or plan to leave the next day in the light. The timing of our departure will depend on the week's weather synopsis (and of course if the crew arrives on time). At 7 knots it will take 24 hours in relatively calm seas. All crew will help stand watch to keep the fatigue to a minimum and for everyone to share the experience and learn about standing watch and night watches. If the weather is fair we will take advantage of the blessing and get our “westing in” while we can. Once in the general area, we can set up what plans make sense at the time. One of the main goals is going to be to do some surfing on Wickaninnish Beach/Long Beach.

Surfing will depend on the swell in the area. If it is not a good idea to surf we can explore this paradisal archipelago by kayak and skiff. This may also be a good time to do some freediving. The Rose has a 15-foot aluminum skiff capable of carrying 6 and we may choose to bring another dinghy.

If we leave Victoria the next day in good weather we can reach The Broken Group or “c̓išaa” as the Tseshaht people once called it. Hard-set plans don’t match well with nature and adventure in remote places so this will serve as a loose itinerary or options available. The weather and safety of the crew are a top priority so if when we decide to cast off for Barkley Sound the weather is rough in the strait we may decide to tuck in somewhere along the way and explore.

Click the link below to see the page dedicated to the vessel.

Things to do

hot springs

freediving

kayaking

surfing

hiking

yoga

fishing

foraging

tide pooling

celestial nav

whale watching

bird watching

cold plunge

mountain biking

Day one

The crew arrives and loads gear in Friday Harbor. Bunks and shipboard duties are outlined and assigned.

Day two

Cast off for victoria and Customs. Once cleared and if the weather allows head west to either Sooke or head through the night. Sooke has some sights to see if we have to wait for weather the next day. The Sooke Potholes would be either a good hike from town or perhaps the skiff can be used to explore the river. There is said to be good fishing here.

Day three

If the weather allows we are arriving in Barkley Sound in the morning.

There are some other spot to stop on the way. Nitinat Narrows looks interesting and is 70 miles from Victoria but its bar would only be passable in calm weather and if its calm we may press on.

Day four

Kayaking in the broken group or surfing on Wickaninnish Beach near Ucluelet

Here is a cool article a friend wrote about his trip there.

Day 6

head back weather permitting

Crew to provision and bring kayaks, surfboards, wetsuits, passports, snorkel gear, hiking gear, cameras, and high fives.