Canada

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WorldNorthern AmericaCanada
Canada
lat=60 | lon=-95 | zoom=2 | y
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg
Magnify-clip.png
Flag
Capital Ottawa
Language English, French
Currency Canadian Dollar (CAD)
Time zone (UTC−3.5 to −8) , DST: (UTC−2.5 to −7)
Calling code +1

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

Canada Gulf Islands

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.

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

Cortes Bay

KitimatKitimat/wiki/Kitimat Port of entry icon – port of entry |Marina icon – marina |

Lund Okeover Harbour

Prince Rupert HarbourPrince Rupert Harbour/wiki/Prince_Rupert_Harbour Port of entry icon – port of entry |Harbour icon – harbour |Marina icon – marina |Anchorage icon – anchorage |

Refuge Cove|

VancouverVancouver/wiki/Vancouver Port of entry icon – port of entry |Harbour icon – harbour |Marina icon – marina |Anchorage icon – anchorage |
Kitimat Kitimat/wiki/Kitimat Port of entry icon – port of entry |
Prince Rupert Harbour Prince Rupert Harbour/wiki/Prince_Rupert_Harbour Port of entry icon – port of entry |Harbour icon – harbour |Marina icon – marina |Anchorage icon – anchorage |
Vancouver Vancouver/wiki/Vancouver Port of entry icon – 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)

Links

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:

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:


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.


SailorSmiley.gifContributors to this page

Names: Lighthouse, Mousle1, Rolf Oetter, Flandria


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