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Destinations Info Centre
Destinations > Barkley Sound
Barkley Sound
Named in 1787 by Capt. Charles William Barkley of the British trading ship Imperial Eagle.
Composed of 2 distinct island clusters: the Deer Group, & the Broken Group. Best known for it's serene inner islands, coastal rainforests surounded by sand-fringed bays, sheltered waterways, & quiet coves. Barkley also is home to the remains of a West Coast Garden, Nuu-chah-nulth fortification & hotel site. Crossings rarely exceed 1 nautical mile.
Canadian Hydrographic Charts 3670 & 3671 cover the area
3670 is namely Broken Group & therefore more specific.
3671 covers the entire Barkley Sound area & is the only chart that covers teh Deer Group.
Canadian Hydrographic Tide Tables:
Based on Tofino, using Bamfield, Ucluelet, Effingham bay & Stopper Islands as secondary ports.
Reserve Lands (marked IR on charts):
Reserves in the Deer Group & Broken Group are owned by the Huu-ay-aht and Tseshaht Bands
Deer Group Isalnd reserves are on Diana, Helby & Tzartus
Before landing, permission must first be granted by Huu-ay-aht Band at Pachena Bay. Address enquiries to "Huu-ay-aht Administration, PO Box 70, Bamfield, B.C., V0R 1B0, or phone toll free 1-888-644-4555"
website www.huuayaht.ca
Broken Group reserves are on Effingham, Keith and Nettle
Written permission must be obtained before exploring ashore
Administered by Tseshaht Band Office, at PO Box 1218, Port Alberni, B.C., V9Y 7M1
website www.tseshaht.com
Deer Goup Launching:
Near Bamfield(known as the Venice of Vancouver Island) on the southwest side of Barkley Sound
A campsite is located 5 km (3 mi) south of Bamfield. Found by passing the entrance of The West Coast Trail & taking the next left. Drive right through the village & go to Pachena Bay. More info found at www.huuayaht.ca
Advise launching at the government warf in Port Desire, & consider parking vehicles on the side of the road above the government warf.
Broken Group Launching:
Easiest way to get there is via MV Lady Rose or MV Frances Barkley
For schedules & rates visit www.ladyrosemarine.com or call 250-723-8313
Toll free reservations can be made April-Sept 1-800-663-7192
Via Toquart Bay is another option
Not recommended for novice paddlers or groups with child(ren)
If you find a good weblink for info on this please let us know
Weather & Hazards:
July-Sept, prevailing high pressure systems in the sound create westerly winds
Be prepared for unexpected storm conditions
Oct-Jun are prime storm months but storms can occur anytime of year
Fog is always a serious concern, ALWAYS travel with a compass
Advised that paddlers avoid surge channels, sea caves & submerged rocks
Sea lions are not usually aggressive, however are territorial so keep your distance
Near Bamfield, Cape Beale Headlands are EXTREMELY hazardous.
Trevor Channel is usually best crossed in the early morning or evening, for in the summer westerly winds on an ebb tide can cause steep waves
NEVER paddle across Imperial Eagle Channel to the Broken Group from Bamfield via the Dear Group Islands
Crossing Loudown Channel from Ucluelet is DANGEROUS
Consider the following:
Take your own water for water sources are unreliable
Max. stay in broken group =14 days
Max. stay at any one campsite = 4 days
Max. group size = 10 people
MUST camp at designated campsites
Campsites located on; Benson, Clark, Dodd, Gibraltar, Gilbert, Hand, Turret & Willis
$5/person a night May-Sept, collected at campsitesb (cash or credit card)
Campfires only on beaches below the high tide line
NO collecting wood from forested areas, only driftwood for fires
You MUST pack out all items you bring, incl. garbage
For more info contact the Park Superintendent at Pacific Rim National Park Reserve
CMT
Link to books on the area below
Additional LinksBooks on Barkley Sound
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