Canada

From CruisersWiki

An overview of sailing and cruising on Canada's coasts and waterways is, of course, a daunting task. After all, Canada is the second largest country on earth with extensive coastlines on the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic Oceans, all but one (Michigan) of the Great Lakes and innumerable smaller lakes and waterways. No single description of cruising conditions, weather patterns, or other classifications can be applied except perhaps for one: no tropical climate here (even so, the weather on the Great Lakes is generally warm and humid during the summer months...) Coastal navigation on all coasts can be challenging because of topography which often contributes to strong tidal currents. Careful planning and navigation are required. The Great Lakes, of course, are huge freshwater reservoirs and are not subject to tidal influences.

Charts

The Canadian Hydrographic Service produces charts in both paper and digital formats.

British Admiralty

BA232a - Newfoundland, southern portion

BA232b - Newfoundland, northern portion

BA 424 - The Great Lakes

BA1499 - Cross sound to Kodiak island

BA1651 - Nova Scotia

BA2431 - Cape Ommaney to Cross sound

BA2462 - Windhambay to Icy point, Stephens passage and Lyn canal

BA2516 - Gulf of Saint Lawrence

BA3933 - Juan de Fuca strait to Dixon entrance

BA4801 - Mexican Border to Chinook trough

Weather

See individual regions, ports, and islands

Weather links

• Environment Canada issues official marine forecasts several times a day for most major settlements and waterways on the Atlantic, Arctic and Pacific coasts and the major inland lakes. Marine forecasts are also broadcast continuously, in English and French, on the VHF WX channels near major waterways and shipping routes

Passages

• Trans-Atlantic - Canada to Europe (North Atlantic)
• Trans-Atlantic - Europe to Canada (North Atlantic)
• Pacific Circumnavigation

Communication

Add here VHF channel for coastguard, harbor masters. etc.

Also see World Cruiser's Nets

Entrance

Arrival

First arrival MUST be made at a port of entry. Contact Customs on 1-888-CANPASS. CANPASS is a program to streamline customs and immigration clearance. Customs will require:

• Vessel's name
• Registration number
• Last port of call
• List of ports intending to visit
• Each crewmembers' full name, date of birth, nationality, purpose of visit and length of stay in Canada or, in the case of returning residents, length of absence.
• All personal goods being imported, including firearms and ammunition as well as alcohol and tobacco products, must be declared. Wine in excess of a handful of bottles is taxed. 1-888-CANPASS accepts duty payment via credit card.

You will then either be cleared to leave the area and enter Canada, or notified to wait for a customs or immigration officer to complete documents or conduct an examination. At the conclusion of the customs process, you will receive a "report number". This number should be displayed in a suitable place where it is visable to inspectors.

Departure

Details?

Customs and Immigration

Customs

• Firearms and ammunition MUST be declared on arrival
• PETS:- Dogs and cats require a rabies vaccination certificate or certificate stating rabies-free status. Those from the United States require the certificate to be signed and dated by a veterinarian indicating that the animal has been vaccinated against rabies within the last three years. This certificate must provide sufficient description and detail to enable adequate identification. The Rabies Certificate must be valid for 12 months and dated at least 30 days prior to entry into Canada

Immigration

Visas: Full current information on the Official Webpage. A six month stay is normally granted.

NEXUS is designed to expedite the border clearance process for low risk, pre-approved travellers into Canada and the United States (Canadian and American crews). Full current details on the Official NEXUS Webpage.

Health and Security

Health

Submit any health warnings/information. Remove any of these sections do not apply to this particular country.

Security

Details?

Regions

Atlantic Region

The coasts of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, including the Bay of Fundy), Newfoundland &
Labrador, the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the St. Laurence River to and beyond Montreal.

Pacific Region

The Strait of Georgia, and the coast of British Columbia including the Inside Passage to Alaska.

Great Lakes

St. Lawrence River west of Montreal's locks on the St. Lawrence Seaway), Lake Ontario, the Welland Canal that by-passes Niagara Falls, Lake Erie, Lake St. Clair, Lake Huron and Georgian Bay (including the North Channel), Lake Superior.

Northwest Passage and Hudson Bay

For the truly intrepid...

Ports, Marinas, and Islands

This Wiki attempts to cover only those ports that would be of particular interest to cruising yachts.

Also see Great Lakes.

Nova Scotia	New Brunswick	Prince Edward Island
Cape Breton Island Cape Breton Island /wiki/Cape_Breton_Island |  – island ||  – needs data | Halifax Halifax /wiki/Halifax |  – port of entry ||  – harbour ||  – marina ||  – anchorage ||  – needs data | Chester Chester /wiki/Chester |  – harbour ||  – marina ||  – anchorage | LaHave LaHave /wiki/LaHave |  – port of entry ||  – marina | Lunenburg Lunenburg /wiki/Lunenburg |  – port of entry ||  – harbour ||  – marina ||  – anchorage | Parrsboro Parrsboro /wiki/Parrsboro |  – anchorage ||  – needs data | Pictou Pictou /wiki/Pictou |  – harbour ||  – marina | Port Medway Port Medway /wiki/Port_Medway |  – harbour ||  – needs data | Pugwash Pugwash /wiki/Pugwash |  – marina ||  – needs data | Sheet Harbour Sheet Harbour /wiki/Sheet_Harbour |  – anchorage ||  – needs data | Sherburne Sherburne /wiki/Sherburne |  – port of entry ||  – harbour ||  – marina ||  – anchorage | Yarmouth Yarmouth /wiki/Yarmouth |  – port of entry ||  – marina |	Caraquet Caraquet /wiki/Caraquet |  – port of entry ||  – harbour ||  – marina | Chatham Chatham /wiki/Chatham |  – harbour ||  – needs data | Dalhousie Dalhousie /wiki/Dalhousie |  – port of entry ||  – marina | Grand Manan IslandGrand Manan Island/wiki/Grand_Manan_Island |  – island | North Head Harbour North Head Harbour /wiki/North_Head_Harbour |  – port of entry ||  – harbour ||  – anchorage | Newcastle, New Brunswick Newcastle, New Brunswick /wiki/Newcastle,_New_Brunswick |  – harbour ||  – needs data | Saint John Saint John /wiki/Saint_John |  – port of entry ||  – harbour ||  – marina ||  – anchorage | St Andrews St Andrews /wiki/St_Andrews |  – harbour ||  – marina ||  – anchorage |	CharlottetownCharlottetown/wiki/Charlottetown |  – port of entry ||  – harbour ||  – marina ||  – anchorage | SummersideSummerside/wiki/Summerside |  – port of entry ||  – harbour ||  – marina |
Newfoundland & Labrador	Quebec	Ontario
ArgentiaArgentia/wiki/Argentia |  – harbour ||  – needs data | Corner BrookCorner Brook/wiki/Corner_Brook |  – port of entry ||  – harbour ||  – anchorage ||  – needs data | Fogo IslandFogo Island/wiki/Fogo_Island |  – island ||  – harbour ||  – anchorage | FortuneFortune/wiki/Fortune |  – harbour ||  – needs data | Harbour GraceHarbour Grace/wiki/Harbour_Grace |  – port of entry ||  – harbour ||  – needs data | Lewisporte Lewisporte /wiki/Lewisporte |  – harbour ||  – marina | St John'sSt John's/wiki/St_John%27s |  – port of entry ||  – harbour ||  – needs data | Also see: Saint Pierre and Miquelon islandsSaint Pierre and Miquelon islands/wiki/Saint-Pierre_and_Miquelon |  – island ||  – needs data | (France)	GaspeGaspe/wiki/Gaspe |  – port of entry ||  – marina ||  – anchorage | Port AlfredPort Alfred/wiki/Port_Alfred |  – harbour ||  – anchorage ||  – needs data | RimouskiRimouski/wiki/Rimouski |  – port of entry ||  – harbour ||  – marina | Riviere du LoupRiviere du Loup/wiki/Riviere_du_Loup |  – marina |	BrockvilleBrockville/wiki/Brockville |  – port of entry ||  – harbour ||  – marina ||  – anchorage | CornwallCornwall/wiki/Cornwall |  – port of entry ||  – harbour ||  – needs data | GoderichGoderich/wiki/Goderich |  – harbour ||  – marina ||  – needs data | KingstonKingston/wiki/Kingston_Canada |  – port of entry ||  – marina ||  – anchorage | TorontoToronto/wiki/Toronto |  – port of entry ||  – harbour ||  – marina ||  – anchorage | WellandWelland/wiki/Welland |  – harbour ||  – needs data | Sarnia Sarnia /wiki/Sarnia |  – marina | Lake HuronLake Huron/wiki/Lake_Huron
Strait of Georgia / (Gulf Islands)	Vancouver Island	British Columbia
Anvil IslandAnvil Island/wiki/Anvil_Island |  – island ||  – needs data | Bowen IslandBowen Island/wiki/Bowen_Island |  – island ||  – marina ||  – anchorage | Chatham IslandsChatham Islands/wiki/Chatham_Islands |  – island ||  – needs data | Gabriola IslandGabriola Island/wiki/Gabriola_Island |  – island ||  – marina ||  – anchorage | Galiano IslandGaliano Island/wiki/Galiano_Island |  – island ||  – marina ||  – anchorage | Gambier IslandGambier Island/wiki/Gambier_Island |  – island ||  – marina ||  – needs data | Keats IslandKeats Island/wiki/Keats_Island |  – island ||  – anchorage | Pender IslandPender Island/wiki/Pender_Island |  – island ||  – marina ||  – anchorage | Poets Cove MarinaPoets Cove Marina/wiki/Pender_Island |  – port of entry ||  – marina | Port GravesPort Graves/wiki/Port_Graves |  – island ||  – anchorage ||  – needs data | Saltspring IslandSaltspring Island/wiki/Saltspring_Island |  – island ||  – harbour ||  – marina ||  – anchorage ||  – needs data | Thetis IslandThetis Island/wiki/Thetis_Island |  – island ||  – marina ||  – anchorage | Vancouver IslandVancouver Island/wiki/Vancouver_Island |  – island ||  – port of entry ||  – harbour ||  – marina |	Campbell RiverCampbell River/wiki/Campbell_River |  – port of entry ||  – harbour ||  – marina | Comox Comox/wiki/Comox |  – port of entry ||  – marina ||  – anchorage | Duncan Duncan /wiki/Duncan |  – marina ||  – anchorage | Nanaimo Nanaimo /wiki/Nanaimo |  – port of entry ||  – harbour ||  – marina ||  – anchorage ||  – needs data | Port Alberni Port Alberni/wiki/Port_Alberni |  – port of entry ||  – harbour ||  – needs data | Port Hardy Port Hardy/wiki/Port_Hardy |  – port of entry ||  – harbour ||  – marina ||  – anchorage ||  – needs data | Sidney Sidney/wiki/Sidney |  – port of entry ||  – marina | Victoria Victoria /wiki/Victoria |  – port of entry ||  – marina |	Cortes Bay KitimatKitimat/wiki/Kitimat |  – port of entry ||  – marina | Lund Okeover Harbour Prince Rupert HarbourPrince Rupert Harbour/wiki/Prince_Rupert_Harbour |  – port of entry ||  – harbour ||  – marina ||  – anchorage | Refuge Cove| VancouverVancouver/wiki/Vancouver |  – port of entry ||  – harbour ||  – marina ||  – anchorage | Kitimat Kitimat/wiki/Kitimat |  – port of entry | Prince Rupert Harbour Prince Rupert Harbour/wiki/Prince_Rupert_Harbour |  – port of entry ||  – harbour ||  – marina ||  – anchorage | Vancouver Vancouver/wiki/Vancouver |  – port of entry |

Transportation

See individual regions, ports, and islands.

Friends

Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.

Forums

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

• Canada Sailing and Cruising Discussions on Cruisers Forum

Links

• Canada at the Wikipedia
• Canada at the Wikivoyage
• Noonsite

References

The Dreamspeaker Guides by Anne and Laurence Yeadon-Jones cover the area around Vancouver Island in great depth in six volumes. Their focus is on lovely anchorages as much as on Marinas and services. The individual volumes are:

• Anne and Laurence Yeadon-Jones, Dreamspeaker Cruising Guide Series: The Gulf Islands & Vancouver Island: Victoria & Sooke to Nanaimo, Volume 1, Harbour (March 10, 2006), ISBN 978-1550174021
• Anne and Laurence Yeadon-Jones, Dreamspeaker Cruising Guide Series: Desolation Sound & the Discovery Islands: Volume 2, FineEdge.com LLC; 4th edition (March 13, 2017), ISBN 978-0996979955
• Anne and Laurence Yeadon-Jones, Dreamspeaker Cruising Guide Series: Vancouver, Howe Sound & the Sunshine Coast: Volume 3, 3rd Edition, Harbour (April 30, 2016), ISBN 978-1550177367
• Anne and Laurence Yeadon-Jones, Dreamspeaker Cruising Guide Series: The San Juan Islands, Volume 4, Harbour (February 2016), ISBN 978-1-55017-717-6
• Anne and Laurence Yeadon-Jones, Dreamspeaker Cruising Guide Series: The Broughtons: Vancouver Island, Kelsey Bay to Port Hardy, Volume 5, 2nd Edition, Harbour (May 30, 2016), ISBN 978-1550177138
• Anne and Laurence Yeadon-Jones, A Dreamspeaker Cruising Guide, Vol. 6: The West Coast of Vancouver Island, Harbour 2nd edition (October 2017), ISBN 978-1-55017-817-3

More information can be found at Dreamspeaker Guides Website.

Comments

We welcome users' contributions to the Wiki. Please click on Comments to view other users' comments, add your own personal experiences or recommend any changes to this page following your visit.

Verified by

Date of member's last visit to Canada and this page's details validated:

• Compiled from research (pilot books, internet, etc.) September, 2018 --Istioploos Travels with S/Y Thetis

This is a usable page of the cruising guide. However, please contribute if you can to help it grow further. Click on Comments to add your personal notes on this page or to discuss its contents. Alternatively, if you feel confident to edit the page, click on the edit tab at the top and enter your changes directly.

Contributors to this page
Names: Lighthouse, Mousle1, Rolf Oetter, Flandria