We leave Port Hardy for the small fishing village of Alert Bay, known for its museum housing many traditional objects and costumes of the First Nations. The island's gentle terrain also allows for easy walks along the coastline with a beautiful view of Vancouver Island to the west. We then head to Carrie Bay via Blackfish Sound, where orcas and whales are often spotted. We explore part of the Broughton Archipelago by circling Gilford Island and navigating up Thompson Sound.
You have to play with the tides and currents, which can reach up to 5 knots, to make progress in the channels. We also need to watch out for the many floating logs resulting from intensive logging in the region. The landscape is disfigured, and the consequences for ecosystems are dramatic... For example, the salmon, on which more than 200 species in these forests depend, can no longer swim up the obstructed and muddy rivers to reproduce.
We arrive on Quadra Island near Octopus Island, where beautiful villas are built along the coast. There, we meet two friendly Canadian families who welcome us and share the "hot tips" of the area. The children are very happy to find friends to play with, as it's true that since Polynesia, we've encountered few families.
The hiking trails are well-marked and often lead to a lake, a great motivation for the kids, especially since the good weather continues!
Then we anchor at Heriot Bay, a charming small town on the east coast of Quadra Island, before heading to Cortes Island, where we currently are.
