A deep, scenic anchorage off Sunderland Channel that serves as a favorite staging stop for boats timing the Johnstone Strait rapids, with Douglas Bay tucked just inside the entrance.
Forward Harbour reaches in from the mainland side of Wellbore Channel, east of Hardwicke Island, and is a classic gathering point for cruisers waiting on slack water at the nearby rapids. Most of the harbour runs a steep 60 to 90 feet deep, so boats concentrate in Douglas Bay, the first bay to starboard just inside the narrow entrance.
Douglas Bay is a pretty, wooded anchorage with good holding in mud, sheltered from the Johnstone Strait westerlies that turn and funnel through Sunderland Channel. The bottom shoals from the deep main harbour, but it drops off quickly, so it is easy to end up anchored in 60 feet instead of 30 feet, a good reason to carry at least 300 feet of rode.
A trail crosses the Thynne Peninsula from Douglas Bay to a white-sand beach at Bessborough Bay, though winter blowdown has made it rough and the route is easy to lose. In peak summer the bay fills with the rapids-waiting fleet.
Approach notes, hazards to watch for, and what's available once you're tied up.
Forward Harbour is reached from Wellbore Channel, which is deep and free of obstructions; the chief consideration is timing Whirlpool Rapids at its narrowest part, where strong whirlpools form on the larger tides though turbulence is moderate at most stages. The common practice is to transit Whirlpool Rapids at or near slack and carry on through Greene Point Rapids on the same tide. The entrance to Forward Harbour itself is narrow but unobstructed.
Inside, Douglas Bay's bottom drops off steeply, so set the hook carefully and confirm your depth on a long scope. Although Douglas Bay is well protected from northwest/westerly winds, a southeast wind can make for a rough night for boats anchored along the northern shore, and northwest gusts have been reported curling around the entrance, turning the head of the bay into a partial lee shore.
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 Forward Harbour 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.
