Bootleg Lagoon - Guilford Island

From one of our favorite cruising guides “Exploring the South Coast of British Columbia” -- “Bootleg Cove, is an unnamed cove on Gilford Island east of Waddington Bay. Its entrance cannot be seen from Retreat Passage -- it looks like a dead-end bay. Chappell mentions that it is known locally as Bootleg Cove, and a better name couldn’t be possible. It is landlocked, subject only to the strongest of southeast gust, with little to disturb your peace and quiet – a perfect place to hide from authorities in the days of prohibition. Old-growth cedar, hemlock, and yew abound. Moss hangs heavy on the branches and pine pollen collect on the water. “

When we woke at 5:30am in Potts Lagoon yesterday July 23, it was calm and quiet, so as pre-arranged with Don & Diane, we all started getting our boats ready and retrieving our anchors to go through Beware Passage/ Indian Group for the first time. It was a beautiful passage with the water like a mill pond as we tip toed through the narrow and shallow passageways at low tide. Low tide being preferred to see everything in greater detail, meaning rocks & kelp.

Omega & Saoirse each draw 6 feet, meaning we need 6 feet of water to clear the bottom and the shallowest water we came across was 13 feet. The Indian Group is beautiful and we can’t wait to return to anchor and spend more time enjoying the area there as recommended by the McCoy’s but we are waiting until the wind decides to settle down since it is alongside of Queen Charlotte Strait and near Johnstone Strait.




We arrived in Bootleg Cove July 23 around 10am. When we had rafted our boats together, shut off our engines, it was so quiet, peaceful and a gorgeous place to be… All day was just a nice day to be out on the water… The day was warm & sunny.

While Diane and Daleen visited, John and Don went fishing in the dinghy. They came back with crab bait to set our traps and also Don’s tale of the lingcod that was fun to bring into the boat but only a couple inches shy of having for dinner…
It is Saturday July 24, we all slept very soundly, the sun is coming out and the guys are making signs of getting ready to go and check to see if Dungeness crab is on the menu for dinner tonight. We plan on doing some more fishing today.

While Don took their 9 month old Sheltie, Shelby out for a walk, he found fresh paw prints on the beach. They were shaped similar to a dog (wolf?) without claws. (cougar?) The debate continues but they are keeping Shelby on a short lease…….

Later, Daleen took Diane for a spin around the harbour. What fun our dinghy is to explore!!

Actually, when we listened to the weather last night the gale force winds in John Stone Strait have died down to 10-15 & only 20-30 being the greatest. It is a good day!! Which usually causes the weather in the Broughtons to be a little calmer…