If you’re looking for that “get away from it all vacation” with a fantastic on site marina, restaurant, fishing charters, cabins and spectacular views… I suggest a trip to Browns Bay Resort and Marina~Vancouver Island, BC. Mornings with a coffee or tea and just gazing out at the ever changing Discovery Passage with her tides, fogs, and fishing boats is just mesmerizing in the early am first light.

The water is so beautiful and clear I couldn’t wait to drop in a paddleboard. That being said, I don’t recommend paddling as a novice in these mysterious waters. You’ll notice I was wearing a pfd in what would appear to be very docile and calm bay waters. Honestly it was some of the trickier paddling to date. The water turmoil that you could not see would yank your board almost out from underneath your feet. The tides drop significantly in the Northwest Passages, and the currents run 15kts plus during tides. There are whirlpools that have sank 30 ft sailboats. I paddled 4 miles in two hours (this would normally take around :45 minutes)…. I was greeted by a very large sea lion, who thankfully did not want a ride on the board, but did however stay with me for about a mile. The visibility of the water is more than 30 feet and just magical. The kelp in the more shallow areas were a single arm coming up to the surface with a massive bow of ribbon or mermaid looking hair flowing away from the current. To me this was just stunning. The water is very cold, about 12C, but apparently some of the best diving around. Next visit I’m bringing a dry suit and going for a swim with the seals.

Oh the seals! If you ever need an instant smile, these guys have the power to do so. They have made their home in the marina and are beautiful, hilarious and friendly. They love to be watched I believe as much as we like to watch them. Savannah was able to feed a seal some anchovies by hand. There is also an adorable baby seal frolicking around the harbor!

The marina restaurant sits in a bay over 100 ft deep protected by foam filled, ex-railroad containers for the breakwater. (soon to be concrete). Humbpack whales come in to say hello and killer whales are not far behind. The Narrows restaurant is fantastic.. if I keep eating here I will look like a whale. Absolutely fabulous food!

Sunday was a gorgeous day and we took a half-day Salmon fishing charter. Had some big bites and an entertaining captain. As the sun was setting and temperatures dropping quickly, Savannah finally landed a 10lb Coho Salmon! She has been dreaming of catching a salmon this entire trip. Of course we were hoping for more of a catch, but just seeing Savannah’s face reeling in that bad boy was worth every fish we did not catch!

After Savannah’s big catch we had a beautiful Bald Eagle swoop down next the boat and take some bait fish right before our eyes. What a site! We saw numerous eagles perched at the top of high trees while listening to their calls. Beautiful.

We’ve also enjoyed some down time here at the resort. It’s a wonderful place to just relax. Something not normally in my vocabulary, but here I’ve been able to enjoy mornings of coffee and just taking in the sites. Unfortunately I had some forced relaxation as well… with a flu/chest bug that hit with a sudden and full court press. Fever, chills, aches.. the entire kit and caboodle.

Even though my fever broke upon waking this morning, I’m not sure if I will make the killer whale/old town, and full day tour into the back country on a zodiac boat and bus, including full survival gear and lunch. Looking for the energy to just properly get dressed for such an adventure… stay tuned.