(Contributed by: Cam Berry)
CRUISING THE WILD BC COAST
A couple of years ago in late May my wife and I drove up Island to Menzies Bay, 15km north of Campbell River to the Marine Link Tours marine base. Along with 10 other guests we soon boarded the MV Aurora Explorer, our coastal freighter for the next six days., and headed north through Seymour narrows and then east along the north coast of Quadra island. The ship serves a multitude of remote forestry operations, fishery facilities and private facilities and resorts throughout the Discovery Islands, the Broughton Island Archipelago Area, and Desolation Sound.
The MV Aurora Explorer, a 135 foot landing craft that transports a wide variety of heavy equipment and general freight throughout remote inlets of Johnston and Queen Charlotte Straits. We travelled 80 km up the rugged Butte Inlet with its spectacular coastal scenery with waterfalls cascading down cliffs directly into the sea. We observed several Orca pods. countless Pacific Dolphins. and other sea life. The history and influence of the early explorers, settlers, cannery workers and native populations is evident on Cortes Island and one gets a glimpse of the rich and famous lifestyles at several stops on Stuart Island.
Everyone is welcome on the bridge and you hear the crew working the radio telephones and navigating the ship and watch as freight is loaded and discharged along the way. The crew from captain to deckhands were very welcoming and very knowledgeable about the areas we visited. The passengers are attended to by a very welcoming and efficient steward and a superb chef.
Passenger accommodations are three Premium staterooms with twin beds, two smaller Select staterooms and one Standard stateroom bunk-bed style. There are four shared washrooms and two shower rooms on the Accommodation Deck, and two shared washrooms on the Galley Deck. There was rarely a delay in using any of these very clean facilities. Two decks plus the bridge deck are open to the passengers.
The cuisine was incredible ! Early bird fruit and fresh baked cinnamon buns, for example at 6:30 am, followed by custom breakfasts around 8:00am. A large assortment of cold meats and cheeses, perhaps cold salmon and always fresh baked bread for lunch. Dinners were exquisite and of gourmet category, served with complimentary BC wines and craft beers. Prawn and crab traps were dropped en route and the catch served with lunch or dinner.
It looks like Marine Link are planning to operate in 2021 with Covid restriction. Pricing may reflect this reduced capacity however you have to contact them directly for fares.These tours are very popular and sell out quickly.
Happy Exploring and Travelling
Cameron Berry