We are off to escape the summer heat in Vancouver. A few hick ups let to a late start into our Gulf Island adventure and we spent the first night in Port Graves, Gambier Island. After a pit stop in Gibsons to fill up with diesel we set sail to cross the Straight of Georgia. A light south easterly breeze carried us across the the water. We were late to for slack tide at Gabriola pass, but based on the current information on Navionics we should still be able to get through. To my surprise the current was much stronger and we made very little headway against the flooding tide and had to abandon the crossing. Curious to why we struggled so much, i compared the Navionics data agains the official current table by the hydrographic service and to my astonishment realized that the maximum current and time were off by 1,5 its and over half an hour. I knew we were cutting it close, but this explained the higher than expected current. I double checked a few other dates, and found that Navionics tide information differed substantially from the official current tables on many of the dates I looked at. It was only mid afternoon and we decided to drop anchor next to nearby Kendrick Island. It was a pleasant afternoon and we fired up the BBQ for dinner. The currents should subside within two hours and we planned to press on to our destination at Herring Bay, Ruxtion Island. After a pleasant dinner and a glass of wine however we decided to enjoy the anchorage and explore the reefs and sandbanks revealed by the low tide. Leo, our son and got the dinghy ready and rowed to shore. We walked to the tip of the reef, extending from Kendrick Island. Leo carves his name into the sandstone while I watch another boat taking the turn into the anchorage. The sea and wind carved out the sandstone creating fascinating sculptures. Island Fun Herring Bay, Ruxton Island: The reef at low tide early morning Kendrick Island
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