Malcolm Island - Mitchell Bay - Sointula

Just catching up - this blog post covers July 4 to 6.

Malcolm Island - off Port McNeill

Malcolm Island is a large island just off the coast of Vancouver near the town of Port McNeill. Visitors come by pleasure boat or Ferry to sightsee and enjoy the history, culture and artistry that can be found here.

Mitchell Bay is on the SW end of Malcolm Island. It is wide open to the SW but with the right weather it provides a good place to anchor.

Mitchell Bay - Malcolm Island

This is the heart of whale watching country and VHF channel 7 comes alive with reports and conversation among the whale watching boats, commercial and not.

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Mitchell Bay Beach

Mitchell bay is connected by road to the rest of Malcolm Island. The main town is Sointula but it is a little far to walk so that will be the next stop. A plesant walk along the quiet roadway looks out over the water and artists touches include driftwood structures and planters in the shape of dorys painted in bright colours. Cruise ships can be seen winding their way through the islands and narrow passages leading to Johnstone Strait to the south.

Happy crew ashore for a walk

Que Sera in Mitchell Bay

Sointula

Public Dock beside the ferry terminal

Across the water from Port McNeill, Sointula displays its Finnish heritage and friendly character. A large marina is available to those not wanting to get their anchors wet and the bay provides lots of space for those with a good hook and the desire to row ashore for fish and chips at the dock.

Lovely old rowboat along the shore

There is a really neat haulout place using a system of Rails and a motorized winch. It will handle large vessels with drafts over 9 feet. We saw a large commercial fishing and a sailboat hauled out at different times. Only room for one boat at a time.

Eagle watches over Que Sera

Along the shoreline there are many remains of old boathouses and rail systems to haul the boats out of the water. This must have been very popular in days gone bye.

Eagles paired up along the shore

A flypast for the camera

Next stop Alert Bay

See you there, RMD&D