Desolation Sound and the Inside Passage

Discover the Calm

Desolation Sound is a deep-water sound that begins at the northern end of the Sunshine Coast, in Lund, BC. It’s spectacular fjords, mountains and wildlife make it a global boating and sea kayaking destination.


Named by Captain George Vancouver in 1792 on account of the gloomy appearance of the surrounding country, George Vancouver’s following journal entry gives his impressions of the place while examining the vicinity: Our residence here was truly forlorn; an awful silence pervaded the gloomy forests, whilst animated nature seemed to have deserted the neighbouring country, whose soil afforded only a few small onions, some samphire and here and there bushes bearing a scanty crop of indifferent berries. Nor was the sea more favourable to our wants, the steep rocky shores prevented the use of the seine, and not a fish at the bottom could be tempted to take the hook; When Captain George Vancouver named it Desolation Sound, we don't think he had a globally renowned ecotourism destination in mind. Desolation Sound falls within the traditional territories of the Klahoose, Tla’amin, and Hamalco First Nations.

Discovery Islands

The Discovery Islands comprise an archipelago located between the east side of Vancouver Island and British Columbia’s mainland. Quadra Island, Cortes Island, Read, Sonora Island are just some of the islands that make up beautiful area. Though there are very few year-round residents, during the spring, summer and fall months boaters are attracted to the area for leisure cruising, salmon fishing, and exploring the hiking trails on these islands. The archipelago is routed by a maze of narrow passages, arms, inlets and channels. National Geographic named this area one of “Canada’s Places of a Lifetime”.

Toba Inlet

Toba Inlet is one of the principal inlets of the British Columbia Coast and on the edge of the Great Bear Rainforest. Toba Inlet is relatively short in comparison to the other coastal inlets, being only about 2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi) in average width and 35 km from the mouth of the powerful Toba River. The Inlet is a deep fjord and is flanked by snow-capped mountains producing major cascading waterfalls. At the head of the Toba Inlet where the Toba River and Klyte River merge, the Klahoose First Nations operate Grizzly Bear Viewing Tours.

Homfray Channel

Homfray Channel is one of the most beautiful spots in Desolation Sound, with towering peaks and calm waters. The channel is the 2nd deepest in North America, which means very few anchorages and thus, little boat traffic. It was named after Robert Homfray, a Civil Engineer (b.1824 d.1902). The best account of his exploits are contained in the book, “The Chilcotin War: A Tale of Death and Reprisal”. The tale is compelling, full of the perils and dangers of an attempt to find a better route to the Chilcotin Gold fields via Bute Inlet, with a rescue and guidance from the Klahoose Chief. Homfray Channel begins north after Desolation Sound Marine Park and ends at Pryce Channel near Toba Inlet.

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