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Vancouver Island Boating routes are some of the most talked about marine passages within the boating and sailing cruising circles in North America. Vancouver Island is the largest island located on the west coast of British Columbia, Canada. But, what makes boating so interesting, is the other 6000 islands that line the coast of the BC, Canada mainland with many of them located on Vancouver Island's inside passage.

Boaters arrive every year eager to explore the inlets, bays and coves off of Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and along shoreline of the Sunshine Coast . Many marine routes today, follow the same routes used by the First Nation people and early European Fur Traders. Some routes provide opportunities to view rugged wilderness coastlines, abundant wildlife and remote villages.

The west coast of Canada is very much a marine environment. BC Ferries connects the popular islands. While remote islands are best accessed by boat or kayak. With so much marine travel from island to island, it is crucial to have a good supply of marinas along the way. Some marinas are close to or located in some of the coastal communities offering full service amenities including showers, power hook-ups, gas , internet access, supply shops and restaurants.

There are more marinas available that are bare bone marinas. As boaters explore deeper into the matrix of islands along the west coast of British Columbia, the marine services become more and more scarce. Some offer basic moorage only.

Many boaters arrive in BC waters in their own recreational water craft. Some boaters trailer their boats to marinas to avoid some of the rough, turbulent ocean passages located on the west coast of British Columbia. And some arrive via a float plane or BC Ferry and then hook up with a charter company or boat tour for a boating adventure.

The prime months to plan a boating experience exploring the waters around Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and the Sunshine Coast begins in April and usually ends in October, with the summer months of July and August being the most popular - also, the hardest month to secure moorage at a marina.

No boating adventure should be attempted without the proper equipment when cruising the islands especially such necessities like tidal and navigation boating charts which are available at most marinas. Other essential cruising equipment should include a good compass, depth sounder, VHF radio and boating safety equipment.

The weather on the west coast may seem warm , but the waters are cold. The ocean channels, the rough ocean straits and high limestone cliff areas funnel the winds into a dizzy developing chilling conditions quickly. It is always wise to wear layered clothing and have rain gear on hand just in case.

Some of the more popular destinations explored by the boating community include Desolation Sound, Broughton Archipelago, Gulf Islands, Princess Louise Inlet, Broken Islands Group and Kingcome Inlet.

Each west coast community listed on the Vancouver Island , Sunshine Coast and on the Gulf Islands travel planning websites lists the many available marinas, charter boat companies, wildlife tour companies on the west coast of Canada.