I can’t believe we waited until the trip south to visit Pruth Bay. On a sunny day, this place is a beach paradise! (I’m sure it’s great in other weather, too.) We left Codville Lagoon early, as usual when the tidal currents aren’t dictating our departure time. We picked up the shrimp pot we had dropped the afternoon before. I had read that the prawning was good in Codville Lagoon, but it was too shallow for our gear, so we tried just outside in Lagoon Bay. It looked like I wasn’t the only one who had read that, because we saw lots of pots in the lagoon. Anyway, we had a moderate harvest of 21—blackjack!—which is way better than none. They were all pretty large, too.
The cruise south to Pruth Bay was uneventful, but pleasant. The waters were calm, the currents favored us, and the sun was shining. We came down through Nalau Passage and Meay Inlet, to travel new and more interesting waters. Encouraged by our success last night, we dropped the shrimp pot in a promising-looking spot near today’s anchorage, along the path we’ll exit tomorrow.
At the head of Pruth Bay, there is an environmental research facility called the Hakai Institute. They have a very nice complex there and serve as the hosts for this part of the Hakai Lúxvbálís Conservancy. It’s all very civilized. Everything looked tidy and well-cared for, and since people live here, they’ve gardened it up.
The docks were well-maintained and sign-posted, with an area set aside for visiting dinghies. There were a lot of boats anchored in front of the facility, though I’m not sure how many were enthusiastic visitors and how many were just waiting for the right weather to cross Cape Caution.
There was also a big floating fishing lodge nearby. We saw a sea plane land right after we anchored, presumably delivering lodge customers.
The big draw for visiting the conservancy on Calvert Island is a collection of white sand beaches right on the Pacific Ocean. You anchor in protected Pruth Bay, then walk half a mile to the first beach. We didn’t get past that one, because there was no need to look any further for perfection.
We immediately took off our shoes and walked the length of the beach before settling down on our towels and having a cool drink. There was no one else around. We sat listening to the waves and the sea birds, and it was so relaxing. I might have napped a little.
Ryan eventually got too hot in the sun and went back to the boat, but I hiked up to Lookout Hill. The trails here on the island are in good condition, and well-sign posted.
The views on the hike and from the modest hill lookout between West Beach and 2nd Beach were gorgeous. It wasn’t a hard hike, and I can highly recommend it on a clear day.
I had meant to visit at least one other beach, but ran out of time after lingering at the lookout. Next time! Back at the boat, Ryan prepared us shrimp pizzas with some of this morning’s catch.
With clear skies and the proximity of a west-facing beach, we had to hike out to the coast this evening for a Pacific Ocean sunset. We spent about an hour watching the sun slowly sink into the sea, enjoying the warm light of the “golden hour”.
While waiting for the sun to go down, we climbed around the rocks and amused ourselves by taking aloof, moody portraits of each other.
Thus ends another great day on the Inside Passage!
Comments