Discovering Blind Channel:
A Hidden Gem in British Columbia
Imagine the awe and wonder that must have gripped early explorers as they stumbled upon Blind Channel, British Columbia, without the luxury of today’s navigational aids.
Even modern mariners find themselves questioning their charts while searching for the narrow, tree-lined entrance to this tranquil haven – one that I stumbled upon while photographing Pacific White-Sided Dolphins in Johnstone Strait, many years ago.
I was completely engrossed in photographing these magnificent creatures when it dawned on me – I might not have enough fuel left to make it back home. Yet, at that moment, I couldn’t care less. Capturing the dolphins in their natural habitat was worth it. I figured I could seek refuge on an island or ride the currents back if it came to that.
As the dolphins finally bid me adieu, I glanced at my dwindling fuel gauge with a hint of concern. It was then that fate intervened, leading me to a fortuitous discovery. My cruising guides unveiled the Blind Channel Resort – and fuel dock! What a relief! I steered toward Blind Channel, only to be met with disappointment – the fuel dock was closed. Now, my fuel situation was even more dire.
But hey, I had dolphin photos that would last a lifetime!
With swift currents swirling around me, I decided to harness their power to make my way back to Campbell River. If necessary, my trusty little kicker engine with its separate gas tank would come to my rescue in navigating into the marina. Guided by a relentless 10-knot current, I conserved fuel, using just enough to maintain my course until I approached slack current, when I revved up my engine to maximize distance.
To my astonishment, I made it all the way back to my marina without ever having to resort to the kicker engine! It was an adventure I would never forget.
Fast forward to this year …
Aboard our 1976 CHB Trawler, Vestri, we found ourselves in need of supplies and craving to head north. Blind Channel beckoned once again, but this time, I stumbled upon another hidden gem – Charles Bay, just across the passage.
On the chart, Charles Bay doesn’t scream “safe anchorage” with the swift current flowing nearby. Yet, to my sheer delight, it turned out to be an idyllic haven – serene, teeming with wildlife, boasting excellent holding in mud and sand, and most of the time, we had it all to ourselves.
Here, I cherished the simple pleasure of sitting still, absorbing the quietude, and patiently awaiting wildlife encounters. Bonaparte’s Gulls, loons serenading the dawn and dusk, seals, deer, ducks, otters, herons, and even eagles graced our days.
Venturing into areas where drone flights are usually prohibited, I seized the opportunity to capture aerial footage of the bay and our new boat, often when we were the sole vessel in the anchorage.
Then I brought out my underwater camera, an Akaso Brave 8 action cam, to document the mesmerizing kelp forests and even a colossal Medusa Jellyfish. This magnificent creature spanned roughly 2 feet in width and stretched about 6 to 7 feet in length.
I make my underwater photos completely blind. I simply dunk the camera, sometimes attached to a long pole, and hope for the best. Sometimes, I set it on video mode, other times on time-lapse photography mode, capturing an image every 3 seconds as I gently move it around.
It seems the name Blind Channel holds true hundreds of years after the early explorers named it.
If you’ve enjoyed reading this, I invite you to watch my vide my video: “Charles Bay, Blind Channel, British Columbia: Above and Below.”
If you enjoyed this video, please subscribe to my channel on YouTube.
As we departed on our final morning, the anchorage was shrouded in the mystique of morning fog.
Great shots!!! Keep up the fantastic work.
Thank you so much John, I appreciate your comments.
Wonderful, I was especially impressed with the ( I’m going to call them Jelly Fish photos ) not sure they were Jelly Fish. Beautiful Good to see you are getting back again.
Thank you Dan! Yes, it was a Lion’s Mane Jelly. They are huge! It was about 2 feet across and around 6 feet long. I have seen them before, but never when I had an underwater camera to capture them. I’m really enjoying playing with the underwater cam. I am still working with limited energy and trying not to overdo it, but I am pretty happy about getting back out there too. Thanks for your comments.
I love your work, Anne. I live on Vancouver Island as well and it’s wonderful to see places where I’ve not yet seen. They’re going on my list though! Thanks so much.
Hi Glenys, thanks for your visit and comments. Vancouver Island is so beautiful and when you start getting into all the little islands between here and the. mainland, there is so much to see. We are lucky to have such a beautiful place to explore.
WOW! and I mean Wow Anne. My travels will never bring me there in my 2001 Roadtrek 190 Versatile Camper Van but……no worries you did thru your pics and above and below. Love Your RV has helped in so many ways over the past 5 years now your new venture! Priceless. have been and are an inspiration. Sincere thanks to you both.
Best, Robert
Hi Robert! Oh, nice camper van you have, those are deluxe. I’m so happy you enjoyed the photos and it means a lot to me to think they are inspirational for others. I appreciate your comment very much.
Nicely captured. Especially like the drone footage. Trying to learn how to use my new toy (drone). Still having the eye hand coordination and trusting the screen vs my line of sight… Especially great to see you piloting the ship in Ray’s video’s as well. …
TNX
Herb
Hi Herb, so glad you’ve been enjoying the drone video. It take a bit of practice. I found that it helped to just focus on learning to fly first. I learned how to make circles and squares and figure 8’s and hop from here to there etc. before I tried doing various video shots. I should do a blog post on that! Thanks for the idea!
Nice work. It’s good to hear you are happy with being on a boat. Some great work.
So glad you enjoyed it Warwick, much appreciated.
The last time I saw your work you were traveling in your camper and it was great then but with the drone and under water camera it is so much better. Very artistic.
Hi Frank! I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed the drone and underwater photography. We will still be travelling in the RV in the winter, but now we’ll be living on our boat in the summer months. Always new adventures and new places to explore! Thanks for your comments.
Beautiful work Anne and wonderful places. congratulations.
Thank you so much Fernando!
Amazing work! I always love seeing your great works of art. The photos are fantastically well captured. I especially like the drone video. It all looks so peaceful & serene. I
Many thanks Penny, I appreciate your wonderful feedback. It is so peaceful out on the water here, I love it!
Amazing images, I had to look on google maps, truly in the middle of nowhere!
Hi Andrew, Oh I meant to include a map! Blind Channel is north of Campbell River, between Vancouver Island and the mainland. There are so many secluded channels and inlets here. A never ending maze to explore! Thanks for your comments.
Hi Anne,
I´m glad you are back and taking beautiful photos and making nice videos again. The drone is also a great helper. Good luck all the time.
All the best from Václav Hronek
Hi Vaclav! Thank you so much for your kind comment, I’m glad you enjoyed the photos and video.
Great photos and video as usual Anne! Especially like the jelly fish and drone video. Safe sailing!
Thank you Dianne & Steve! I enjoy flying the drone, and I’ve been doing a lot of playing with underwater photography lately, so I thought I might try underwater video too. Glad you enjoyed it.
Wow such a great work , especially those alaskan wild birds . This time of the year it must be plenty of resident wild birds to watch before migrating season starts.
Thank you Riady! They are Bonaparte’s Gulls. Yes, we have tons of birds here throughout the year.
Beautiful pictures and videos, thank you for sharing them Anne.
Glad you enjoyed them Nella!
Lovely article and photos! Thanks!
Much appreciated Mike!
Beautiful, just beautiful, you do great work. Have fun on the new boat
Thank you so much Dave! I love the new boat and being out on the water every day.
Hi Anne,
Great to see you back.