Behind the long sandy hook of Rebecca Spit, Drew Harbour is one of the most popular and convenient anchorages in the Discovery Islands, with the village of Heriot Bay an easy walk away.
Rebecca Spit is a narrow, 2-km sandy hook on the east side of Quadra Island that shelters Drew Harbour, a broad bay on its western side. The spit and its driftwood-lined beaches form Rebecca Spit Marine Provincial Park, and the protected water behind it has long been a favourite stop for cruisers transiting between the Strait of Georgia and Desolation Sound.
The anchorage is roomy and scenic, with views across to the spit's grassy point and forested shoreline. Boats spread out across the harbour, and a number of private mooring buoys lie along the northwest side. The park itself offers walking trails, picnic areas, and beaches on both sides of the spit, making it an easy place to go ashore by dinghy.
Heriot Bay lies just around the point to the northwest, within walking distance, where the Heriot Bay Inn, pub, marina, fuel, and a well-stocked store provide full provisions. The bay is also the ferry terminal for Cortes Island, so expect ferry traffic and wake along the harbour's outer edge.
Approach notes, hazards to watch for, and what's available once you're tied up.
The approach to Drew Harbour is straightforward from the south, rounding the tip of Rebecca Spit and turning northwest into the bay; chart CHS 3539 covers the area. Watch the point at the south end of the spit, where shoaling and drying ground extend off the tip, and stay off the spit's shoreline, which shelves and is littered with deadhead logs and driftwood.
The harbour is open to the south and southeast, and a fresh southeasterly funneling up the channel can send chop and swell straight into the anchorage; in those conditions boats can roll and the spit gives little protection. The west and northwest portions are deeper; holding is widely described as variable, so set the anchor well and check it before settling in, as this bay has a reputation for dragging. Ferry wake from the nearby Cortes Island run also reaches the anchorage.
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 Rebecca Spit 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.
