West White Pine Nook

We set out from Holmes Inlet Nook with a plan to hit Friendly Dolphin Cove (at the South end of  Sulphur Passage) near high tide. This was to be a lunch stop, with a dinghy ride to Shark Creek in Millar Channel to see the waterfall at high tide.

Friendly Dolphin Cove was quite pretty, but the anchorage was deep except very close to the shore and it was hard to find a spot that didn’t need a stern tie. The wind kept swinging us too close to shore for comfort and we couldn’t shorten up our rode due to the depth. So we decided that the better part of valor was to continue on to our final destination of West Whitepine Cove.

This Cove is another recommendation from our friends on M/V Navigator, and like Holmes Inlet nook, it’s much more interesting in person than it is on the chart. As we approached, we saw a 40’ power boat anchored outside of the cove in good conditions and with pretty views. We decided that might mean it was crowded inside the Cove, but we continued on as planned.

The entry to this cove is surrounded by rocks and shoals, so attention must be paid. Once inside, it opens up to a lovely basin with views in all directions. And best of all – we were the only boat inside! This remained true for the two days we were here.

West White Pine Nook At HIGH TIDE

THE ENTRANCE At West White Pine Nook DEMANDs good planing, careful seamanship and a good tide

We had an amazing sunset on the first night. It literally was gorgeous in all quadrants, not just in the west. We saw pinkish skies and alpenglow on mountains. Lovely.

LOnG LASTING SUNSET

THE FLAMEing clouds SEEM TO GO ON FOR AN HOUR

We heard that there was good prawning outside the Cove in Herbert Inlet. A fish farm is nearby and there appeared to be quasi-permanent prawn traps deployed. We tried our best but didn’t catch more than a handful. Those prawns were nicely sized, however, and did not go to waste.

BEAUTIFUL RIDE IN THE DINGHY IN SEARCH OF PRAWNS

NOT MANY BUT NICE SIZE

YUMMY

West White Pine Nook At LOW TIDE

there’s calm and then there is mirror calm

foggy sunrise

We also explored in the dinghy, looking at the far more open and less interesting “Whitepine Cove” and some logging activity in the area. Haircuts were also on the agenda for the day.

MORNING MAGIC

We decided to spend our 3rd night outside of the Cove, as tides were favorable for the narrow exit in the late afternoon. We anchored close to where we saw the power boat on our approach to West Whitepine. It was a lovely spot as well, and quite scenic.

Overall, another winning recommendation from the M/V Navigator crew!

AMAZING SKIES SEEM TO BE THE NORM AT West White Pine Nook

THE MAGNIFICATE SKIES OF West White Pine Nook