Princess Louisa Inlet Amazing Scenery and Cruising
A bucket-list sailing experience and considered by some to be the Grand Canyon of the North, British Columbia’s Princess Louisa Inlet Desolation Sound is similarly thought to be glacially carved. It’s frequently described as a granite-walled gorge, with serene waters, and is disturbed only by the thundering and paradoxically calming sounds of the nearby cascading sixty-some waterfalls. The inlet is framed by snow-tipped mountains stretching 2,100 meters (or 7,000 feet) into the sky. Impossible to capture through words, pictures, even video; its raw, untouched, majestic beauty is best experienced first-hand.
If you plan to visit, (and you should), here’s what you should know.
The Inlet
Princess Louisa Inlet in Desolation Sound is only 6 KM long, and 300 meters (or 1,000 feet) deep. Besides the awe-inspiring waterfalls, you can expect to sail over calm waters and past ancient petroglyphs and rock paintings (which are thought to be found in the most spiritually powerful places).
Getting There
Princess Louisa Inlet is best accessed via Jervis Inlet, (although less convenient road access is possible too). Sailing North-West through the Strait of Georgia from Vancouver, Jervis Inlet Desolation Sound is roughly 95 KM away and is 77 KM in length. At its North-Eastern end, vessels will move through Malibu Rapids – a narrow and shallow passage formed by the fast-moving tidal flow (7 to 10 knots) resulting from the merging waters of Jervis Inlet and the entrance of Princess Louisa Inlet.
Princess Louisa Marine Provincial Park
Established in 1965, Princess Louisa Marine Provincial Park (which surrounds much of the inlet) is home to 937 hectares of land. While anchored or docked, visitors can hike the 800 metres of trails and boardwalks at the nearby Chatterbox Falls. They can scuba dive, swim and kayak too. Camping and picnicking are popular. And, in designated areas, visitor can enjoy campfires. Sadly, while fishing or shellfishing might seem like a good idea, the inlet is part of the Rockfish Conservation area leaving the sport prohibited all year-round.
The Falls
Although Princess Louisa Inlet Desolation Sound is home to roughly sixty waterfalls, there are two worth special attention. James Bruce Falls, known as the highest (measured) waterfall in North America and the ninth tallest in the world, has water falling from 840 meters (or 2,760 feet) into the inlet below. Not as high, but equally magical (and an incredibly popular destination) is Chatterbox Falls. Located at the head of the inlet, Chatterbox Falls is 37 meters (or 120 feet) high, and, since it’s easy to get quite close you can expect to feel a refreshing mist on your skin as you approach.
Discover other islands, coves and hidden anchorages in Desolation Sound
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