D’Arcy Island Anchorage

D’Arcy Island is open all year.  This is an undeveloped island with no facilities other than some primitive campsites and a toilet.  Dogs must be on leash.  The island is surrounded by intimidating rocks, reefs, and shoals.  Even if you study the chart carefully, kelp-covered rocks will pop up and surprise you.  Approach with great caution.

As far as we are concerned, there are no “good” anchorages at D’Arcy Island, only acceptable spots in the right weather.  If conditions allow, the cove on the west side of the island, south of the light, will work.   Two coves on the northwest end look okay, but we didn’t put the anchor down to confirm.  The single Parks staff mooring buoy is in the cove on the east side of the island.  This cove is closest to the island’s campsites.

D’Arcy Island was BC’s first leper colony; from 1891 until 1925 it housed Chinese lepers.  The colony was closed in 1925 and the island reverted to provincial jurisdiction.  Plans for the island as a federal penitentiary were never realized.  D’ArcyIsland remained undeveloped and was established as a marine park in 1961.

D’Arcy Island
Charts 3441, 3313; 1 mile SE of Sidney
Anchorage West Side” 48°33.80’N, 123°17.00’W

For more information visit our partner site Waggoner Cruising Guide.   For all your yacht provisioning and marina reservations call our main desk at 778-432-0477.   If you’re looking for a superyacht marina we accept 65′ to 180′ vessels.  Phone or book online to reserve your slip or book the ultimate yacht Rendezvous.