The Best Swimming Spots on Vancouver Island for Boaters

Swimming Holes Accessible by Boat on Vancouver Island


If you are looking for boat-accessible swimming holes, Vancouver Island is the place to be. Filled with numerous rivers, lakes and beaches that are accessible only by boat, there are many places to anchor your boat to go for a safe and exhilarating swim.

Here’s a list of some of the best swimming spots around Vancouver Island that are safe and fun for the whole family and reachable in a day from Van Isle Marina.

Snake Island

This Nanaimo swimming spot located near Departure Bay is a favourite among locals and visitors who reach it by boat, kayak or canoe. The small, uninhabited island is renowned for its diving experiences, bird watching opportunities and the chance to get up-close and personal with some harbour seals. If you do choose to wade or paddle in the Snake Island waters, be on high alert for ferries and other boaters in this busy waterway.

Rugged Point Marine Park

Turn your swimming hole adventure into a camping trip at Rugged Point Marine Park. This park is located on the west coast of northern Vancouver Island at the southwest end of Kyuquot Channel. The park is packed with camping amenities and opportunities to enjoy other activities such as canoeing, fishing, and windsurfing. Take some time to explore the hiking trails too. Anchor your yacht in Rugged Cove or Dixie Cove both popular spots among local boaters thanks to their safe anchoring areas.

Broken Group Islands

Take a longer-haul boat trip to the Broken Group Islands on the west coast of Vancouver Island. In order to fully explore this cluster of stunning islands, drop your anchor and get into your kayaks. Swimming and snorkelling are a must when visiting the Broken Group Islands as you might even be able to see some fish.

Grant Bay

Skip the hike to Grant Bay and sail through it instead via the northwest coast of Vancouver Island. You’ll be rewarded with a beautiful, secluded white sandy beach to relax and swim at. This remote recreation area has day-use facilities and rustic campsites, or take the chance to try out some boat camping. 

Vargas Island Provincial Park

This boat-side swimming hole comes with the addition of great wildlife viewing and camping amenities at Vargas Island Provincial Park in Clayoquot Sound. Access the island by boat immediately northwest of Tofino and west of Meares Island on the west coast of Vancouver Island.

You’ll see sheltered channels and bays, an intertidal lagoon and ancient sand berms. If you’re lucky you might see grey whales frolicking nearby.

Desolation Sound Marine Provincial Park

This provincial park and popular Vancouver Island swimming hole close to Cortes Island on the east coast is known as a boater’s paradise. Visitors can enjoy the calm waters and vistas while taking in a long stretch of shoreline. Moor in one of three anchorage points: Prideaux Haven, Tenedos Bay or Grace Harbour.

Freshwater lake swimming is available at Unwin Lake, a short 10-minute walk from Tenedos Bay. Desolation Sound is a popular spot, so expect to see other boaters, but rest assured there is plenty of room for everyone.

Lasqueti Island

Off the east coast of Vancouver Island is a scenic swimming hole in Lasqueti Island. This off-grid island has a population of 500 people and no public campgrounds, but the waters are ideal for cold water scuba diving. If you’re boating in the area and have your scuba license, take the plunge and discover some deep-sea magic.

Hot Springs Cove in Maquinna Provincial Park

Treat yourself to a geothermal swimming experience that’s just northwest of Tofino in Clayoquot Sound. A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Hot Springs Cove is surrounded by the stunning scenery of Maquinna Provincial Park. You’ll have to anchor your boat and go for a 2km hike along sturdy boardwalks and wooden stairs through the rainforest to access the hot springs, but the journey is well worth it and the long soak in the naturally heated water is a great reward.

Rathtrevor Beach

Along the east coast lies one of the best swimming spots of Vancouver Island, Rathtrevor Beach. This 2km long sandy beach is a well-loved landmark and offers safe swimming for younger children thanks to shallow warm water and low tide.  A provincial campsite, plenty of picnic tables and educational activities for the whole family make this a great spot to explore. Since it sits along the Strait of Georgia, Rathtrevor Beach is an ideal place to drop anchor and enjoy a swim.

Kye Bay

Kye Bay, in Comox, offers a lot of adventure possibilities for boating families. During the summer months, the ocean water temperature is moderate and great for swimming. Shallow tidal pools filled with marine life and a superior texture of sand ideal for building sandcastles makes this a perfect place to drop anchor.  You can bring the whole family to this lovely bay, including your dog.

First Lake, Nanaimo

If you can tow your boat, consider taking the logging roads just south of Nanaimo to First Lake, a shallow freshwater lake with a publicly accessible boat launch. The lake, part of a chain of three lakes that link to the Nanaimo River, is the site of an old timber mill and there are a few private campsites dotted along the eastern shore.

While in the area, don’t miss the must-do local summer experience. Follow the stream of cars to one of the many Nanaimo River swimming holes which are beautifully clear and fresh on a hot summer’s day.

Make Your Next Boating Adventure Happen with a New Yacht from Van Isle Marina

Boat ownership can unlock many opportunities to explore and create new memories with family and friends.

Tap into your inner adventurer and find the ideal boat to take you on your next Vancouver Island swimming adventure at Van Isle Marina. Based in Sidney, BC we are ideally placed for a tour of the top Vancouver Island swimming holes. 

Our Yacht sales team will be glad to help you find the best boat for your needs and provide some tips for local boating trips too. Contact us today for more information about yachts currently for sale.

How to Clean a Bilge Pump on a Boat

Boat bilge pumps, like any machinery, require regular maintenance and cleaning. A bilge pump that is clogged or damaged may not work, which could mean that your boat sustains damage or even sinks in extreme cases. Knowing what your bilge pump does and how to clean it properly is essential to prevent this. 

What is a Boat Bilge Pump?

Boat bilge pumps are small pumps installed in your boat’s bilge wells that remove excess water from leaks, spills, and drainage systems. In the case of corrosive water from leaks and spills, the bilge pump will remove this and keep your boat from destabilizing or forming blisters on the fibreglass surfaces. In extreme cases, the bilge pump could save your life if your boat starts to take on water and sink.

The number of bilge pumps you need will depend on the size of your boat, but it’s recommended that you have 3 to 4 pumps onboard.

There are two basic types of electric bilge pumps: manual and automatic.

Manual bilge pumps are affordable, easy to install, and easy to maintain. In addition, you can install a float switch and make your manual bilge pump more automatic. Manual pumps are best for smaller recreational crafts.

Automatic bilge pumps have a float switch that activates the pump when the water levels inside the bilge are high enough. Automatic bilge pumps are necessary for boats over 20 feet long that feature sleeping bunks. 

4 Types of Bilge Pumps

Not all bilge pumps are created equal. Aside from size, capacity, and type, there are 4 styles:

  1. Reciprocating
  2. Centrifugal
  3. Flexible Impeller
  4. Diaphragm

A Reciprocating Bilge Pump is a positive displacement pump which traps a specific volume of liquid and forces it into the discharge hose. Reciprocating bilge pumps are able to run dry and so pump virtually all water out of the bilge well. However, they have a lower overall capacity and are not well suited to handling debris.

Centrifugal Bilge Pumps are the most common type. These pumps use rotating impellers that push the bilge water into the discharge hose. Centrifugal bilge pumps are low cost, high capacity and can handle smaller debris. 

Flexible Impeller Pumps differ from centrifugal pumps. They have a rubber impeller with a curved shape caused by squeezing the pump casing. These are self-priming positive displacement pumps so that they can remove virtually all bilge water and debris. In addition, flexible impeller pumps should not run dry, unlike a reciprocating bilge pump. 

Diaphragm Bilge Pumps are another type of positive displacement pump. They are best suited for small to medium boats, as they don’t require priming and can be run dry. This type of pump efficiently manages to push water up and out of the discharge hose, but it struggles with debris.

How to Clean a Boat Bilge Pump

The most important part of maintaining a clean bilge pump is prevention, but an occasional cleaning will still be necessary to keep it working well. Cleaning the pump is about as pleasant as wiping down a household bathroom, but these steps should make it easy.

First, here’s what you will need to clean your boat’s bilge pump:

Have you got everything you need? Great! Now here’s how to clean a boat bilge pump.  

  1. Locate and open the access panel close to your bilge pump. This panel is toward the aft of your boat.
  2. Clear away any physical debris from the bilge area, reaching as far forward as possible. 
  3. Ensure the pump activation switch is off and disconnect the pump from the boat’s wiring harness.
  4. With your screwdriver, loosen the clamp holding the discharge hose onto the pump before removing the hose.
  5. Twist the top of the pump counter-clockwise until it is free of the strainer base.
  6. Once you have removed this part of the pump, grasp the bottom and twist the top counter-clockwise until it comes away from the lower casing.
  7. Clear away debris from both parts of the pump. 
  8. Vacuum the entire bilge area of your boat, including the strainer base of the pump.
  9. Take the pump halves away from the boat and use your vinegar – or cleaner – and a scrub brush to remove mold or dirt from your bilge pump.
  10. Rinse the pump with clean, fresh water, keeping the wires dry.
  11. Spread a thin layer of marine grease onto the O-ring seal in the pump.
  12. Reattach the two halves of the pump. If the pump is not positioned as before, you may have difficulty reconnecting the discharge hose.
  13. Position the clamp over the discharge hose and insert the hose into the pump.
  14. With your screwdriver, tighten the clamp enough that it holds but not so tight that it crushes the hose.
  15. Reconnect the wires. Do not flip the activator and switch it back on until you either check the bilge pump’s performance or your boat is in the water.
  16. Close the access panel.
  17. Pat yourself on the back for a job well done!

If your boat is on a trailer, you might want to test the bilge pump. Put the drain plug in and pour 4-5 gallons of water into the bilge through the access panel. If your pump is automatic, it should activate and remove the water. You can also test the manual switch by turning the switch off. Make sure you know what type of bilge pump you have and whether it’s able to be run dry.

Cleaning boat bilge pumps may be an undesirable job, but fortunately, it only needs to be done once a year. Together with regular parts maintenance, cleaning will keep your bilge pump working. 

Don’t have what you need to clean or repair your boat bilge pump? A quick visit to our Marine Store will provide everything you might need to maintain your craft.

Boat Camping Around Vancouver Island

Where and How to Camp by Boat


Camping by boat might not be what comes to mind when you think about heading into the great outdoors. Usually, it involves planning when and where you want to go before packing everything into your car, not your boat. But, for boat owners, camping can take on a whole new dimension. There are two ways to go camping by boat:

  • By Yacht. With a yacht, your opportunities for camping by boat are virtually endless. After all, you can cook and sleep in your boat and take a dinghy or kayak out for exploring. 
  • By Canoe. Launching from a boat ramp and paddling your canoe through one of our many lakes and rivers can certainly be a way that you can go camping by boat. Everything you take must be able to fit into your canoe, however, so pack smart! 

Check the Weather Before Going Boat Camping

Inland boat campers may get a little soggy in poor weather, but those going camping by boat can face much more extreme weather. Check the forecast for the places you intend to visit, but make sure you check the marine weather too. This type of forecast gives you valuable information concerning wind speed, wave height, precipitation, storm watches, air temperatures, and more. Learning how to understand a marine weather forecast will help you plan a safe trip. 

Staying Safe

 

Camping by boat doesn’t just involve loading up and leaving. There are three critical things to consider when you are getting ready to go out on a boat:

Take the time to ensure that your boat is safe and that you and your guests understand how to enjoy camping by boat safely. Transport Canada requires – by law – that the following items be present:

  • One correctly fitted Personal Flotation Device/ Lifejacket for every passenger
  • One buoyant heaving line at least 15m in length
  • A manual propelling device or anchor with at least 15m of rope
  • A selection of visual signalling devices
  • A sound signalling device
  • A fire extinguisher
  • A bailing device or hand pump

If you are canoe camping, safety measures are a little more straightforward. Make sure you have the above items and that everybody knows what to do in an emergency. If you have a yacht, you will also need to think about a few extra things:

  • Are your fuel and oil levels good?
  • Are all the onboard batteries charged?
  • Are all the lights working?
  • Is the radio working?
  • Do your guests know what to do if you are incapacitated?


Ready, Set, Let’s Go Boat Camping!

As with any trip, camping by boat requires a few last-minute preparations so that everything is well-planned and organized. The most basic preparations involve making sure you have enough clothing, bedding, food, water and first aid to cover the entire trip. In addition, you will need to make sure all your essential documents – such as licences and ID – are easily accessible. Finally, you will also need to consider the weather forecast for the entire span of your intended trip to determine potential safety issues.

If you are heading out on a yacht, there are a few things to prepare before you leave:

  • Put your essential papers in a safe, accessible place
  • Check your onboard machinery
  • Check that your safety devices are not expired 
  • Have all the maps and charts you will need for the trip 
  • Calibrate your compass
  • Check your anchor and ropes
  • Check your engine
  • Check for damage, including the electrical and sanitation systems
  • Make sure someone you trust knows where you are going and when you expect to be back


The Top 3 Spots to Boat Camp Around Vancouver Island


Buttle Lake, Strathcona Park

Awe-inspiring Strathcona Park is almost at the center of Vancouver Island. It extends from midway between Parksville and Courtenay to just northwest of Campbell River. It is the oldest provincial park in British Columbia, having been incorporated in 1911. While you get to the Buttle Lake, Karst Creek and Ralph River campgrounds and boat ramps by vehicle, there are also campsites on the lake that are boat access only. Over 23 kilometres in length, Buttle Lake features these popular camping spots:

  • Rainbow Island
  • Mt Titus Marine Campsite
  • Wolf River
  • Phillips Creek

All campsites have pit toilets and several pads for tents. Along with fantastic boating opportunities for kayaks, canoes, and motorboats, Strathcona Park boasts some of the most scenic hiking trails on all of Vancouver Island. You can also enjoy rock climbing, fishing, swimming, waterskiing and abundant wildlife watching.

Broken Group Islands

Located between Ucluelet and Bamfield on Vancouver Island’s west coast, you will find Barkley Sound, home to the lush forests of the Broken Group Islands. While visitors are encouraged to explore and go camping by boat to their heart’s content, onshore camping can only be done at these designated areas:

  • Hand Island
  • Turret Island
  • Gibraltar Island
  • Willis Island
  • Dodd Island
  • Clarke Island
  • Gilbert Island

Access to the Broken Group Islands is boat-only, but there is plenty to see and do onshore and offshore. You can explore tidal pools or take a leisurely paddle through the emerald-green waters that surround the islands. Be on the lookout for eagles, bears, whales, sea otters, and so much more!

Each designated camping area features solar composting toilets, but visitors must bring in their own water and take out any refuse and protect the local ecosystem. 

Rugged Point Marine Provincial Park

 

Located ¾ up the west coast of Vancouver Island, this boat-access-only park sports one of the most stunningly beautiful stretches of coastline on the west coast of Vancouver Island. Its protected beaches are quiet and serene, contrasting sharply with the wind-swept waves of the Pacific.

Rugged Point Marine Provincial Park is a haven for explorers and boat enthusiasts, but not many know that you can camp onshore there. The designated camping area is small, featuring only four tent platforms, but you are allowed to pitch your tent on the beaches if you wish.

Alternatively, you can spend your nights offshore and stretch your legs in the day-use area. There you will find a sheltered picnic area, a pit toilet and a food cache.

Rugged Point Marine Provincial is popular for canoeing and kayaking, but you can also fish, windsurf and see wildlife.

 

Do we have you thinking about going camping by boat? Our experienced crew will help set you on the right path. Contact Van Isle Marina today!