The crown jewel of Desolation Sound, Prideaux Haven is a maze of interconnecting coves and islets offering warm swimming water, dramatic mountain backdrops, and some of the best-protected anchoring in British Columbia.
Tucked behind Eveleigh, Scobell, and a cluster of smaller islands at the head of Desolation Sound, Prideaux Haven is a sprawling complex of sheltered basins that includes the popular sub-anchorages of Melanie Cove and Laura Cove. It is consistently rated among the most scenic and best-protected anchorages on the BC coast, and in July and August it becomes one of the busiest, often holding dozens of boats.
The water here is famously warm for the Pacific Northwest, making it a destination for swimming, kayaking, and exploring by dinghy. Shore trails connect Melanie Cove to Laura Cove and onward toward Unwin Lake and Tenedos Bay, and the area carries literary fame from M. Wylie Blanchet's classic The Curve of Time.
Holding is generally good in mud, though the bottom is crowded with old anchor chains and log snags from generations of cruisers, so careful anchor placement matters. Stern-tying is the summer norm in most of the coves; BC Parks has installed stern-tie mooring rings to increase capacity.
Approach notes, hazards to watch for, and what's available once you're tied up.
The entrance is from Homfray Channel on the east side of Eveleigh Island. Boats should approach from the north side of Eveleigh and pass through the narrow channel around the east end of the island near Lucy Point; the shallow pass along the south side of Eveleigh is not a usable entrance. A reef nearly closes the passage east of Eveleigh, so favor the Eveleigh Island side to clear it. Chart CHS 3555 (or Chartbook 3312) is essential.
The most dangerous nearby hazard is Sky Pilot Rock, an unmarked rock lying in mid-channel just north of Otter Island that covers at high tide. Do not anchor at the west end of Laura Cove, which is riddled with rocks. Melanie Cove's entrance at Lucy Point is narrow with underwater rocks on either side. Laura Cove is too tight to swing and requires a stern tie.
Wind protection summary and tide planning at a glance. Full per-direction and 7-day detail with Plus.
Live readings from the nearest OpenWeather station and WorldTides; refreshed every few minutes.
Source: OpenWeather One Call API + WorldTides.
A curated photo + map walkthrough showing approach, mooring options, and points of interest.
A guided walkthrough of Prideaux Haven with approach photos, depth notes, and points of interest — written by members who have been here recently.
Real first-hand reports and questions answered by members who have actually been here.
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Cruising-distance picks near this anchorage.
