Weather
Conditions

March Weather in the Strait

March is the hinge between winter and spring — the weather can't decide what it wants to be, and neither can the sea.

🌡️
5-10°C
Air Temp
🌊
7-8°C
Water Temp
💨
10-25 kt
Typical Winds
🌧️
~120mm
Rainfall
📻
VHF 21B
Wx Forecast
⚡
40 kt
Qualicums Peak

Sunrise & Sunset

Thu Mar 5
6:42 AM 6:01 PM
11h 19m daylight
Fri Mar 6
6:40 AM 6:03 PM
11h 23m daylight
Sat Mar 7
6:38 AM 6:04 PM
11h 26m daylight
Sun Mar 8
7:37 AM 7:06 PM
PDT · clocks forward

Wind opposing current creates steep, sharp "square waves" — uncomfortable even at 1-2 metres. Chrome Island (south Denman) is rough in SE winds. The Qualicums: high pressure funnels 40-knot winds through Alberni Inlet to hit Qualicum Beach. Watch for strong SW forecasts on the west coast of VI.

Weekend Forecast: Southerly Winds

Current forecast shows southerly winds throughout the weekend. This means Tribune Bay is likely not an option — it offers splendid protection from everything except southerlies.

Our best options: Deep Bay (home base), Ford Cove on Hornby Island, and Henry Bay on Denman's north end.

Protected Moorage Options

Home Base

Deep Bay Marina

49°27.97'N, 124°44.24'W
Where Jura lives and where we start and finish the weekend. Welcome relief when winds blow.
Depth
10-14m
mud, good holding
Rate
$1.50/ft
Oct-Apr rate
Facilities: Power, water, WiFi, garbage, toilets, fuel, boat launch. Ship & Shore Restaurant ashore.
250-228-9448 · deepbaymarina.com
Hornby Island

Ford Cove

49°29.92'N, 124°40.69'W
Closest moorage to the spawn zone on Hornby. We'll likely tie up at the public wharf.
Moorage
Public Wharf
if space available
Rate
$1.50/ft
power extra
Facilities: Power, toilets at wharf. Marina has grocery store and good takeout pizza.
250-897-8564 · fordcoveharbour.com
Denman Island · Free

Henry Bay

49°36.82'N, 124°51.52'W
Excellent SE protection — exactly what we need this weekend. Lovely wide beach, close to Sandy Island Marine Park.
Depth
8-12m
sand, good holding
Rate
Free
anchor only
Facilities: None — wild anchorage. Sandy Island Marine Park across the channel.

Live Wind Conditions

Live wind overlay from Windy.com. Zoom in to see conditions at specific anchorages.

Wind in knots. Data from ECMWF via Windy.com.