Boating Nootka Sound, BC, Canada.
Neighbouring Island Communities: Gold River & Tahsis

Nootka Sound – Nootka Sound is a boaters opportunity to visit remote First Nation villages and view abundant wildlife. Nootka Sound is centred around the First Nation Village of Yuquot, also known as Friendly Cove. A historic village site, Yuquot was the summer home to Chief Maquinna and the Mowachaht / Muchalaht native people while the Village of Tahsis was the winter home.

Although times have changed the Mowachaht / Muchalaht people lived in Yuquot until 1963 when at that time they moved their base camp to the head of the Gold River. In 1996 the Mowachaht / Muchalaht people moved again to Tsaxana, further up the Gold River Valley.

Boating Nootka Sound follows the waterways of the early explorers and First Nation people. It was not until Captain Cook landed in 1778 that the land was claimed under England's flag. At this time Captain Cook and Chief Maquinna had the famous first encounter between the European people and the First Nations people on shore. The Spanish Government still considers Friendly Cove part of their history and in 1957 Spain donated two stained glass windows for the church on Nootka Island in Nootka Sound.

Today Friendly Cove, is a popular anchorage point nestled in between San Miguel and San Rafael Islands where a lighthouse stands today. The Canadian Government declared Friendly Cove a National Historic Site in 1923 on the discovery of the European explorers. It was not until 1997 that First Nations were successful in having the site recognized as an important part to First Nations history.

Located at Friendly Cove is a public dock, but the area is on reservation land and it is always wise to check in first with the First Nation people to show respect before setting foot on the land. There are areas that are burial lands, historical artifacts and sacred ground with unmarked graves, so where you keep your exploring to is critical. There may also be a fee for landing on shore.

Directly north of Friendly Cove is Santa Gertrudis Cove which is another anchorage that is well protected from the ocean winds and swells. McKay Passage, Boca del Infierno Bay, Marvinas Bay, Valdes Bay, Muchalat Inlet are also worthy of plotting a course for when cruising the Nootka Sound.