A vast, nearly landlocked tidal basin on Broughton Island, reached only through the narrow, current-swept Booker Passage and widely regarded as one of the best hurricane holes in the Broughtons.
Booker Lagoon looks on the chart like an ink blot, with fingers of water radiating from a broad central basin. At the tips of those fingers lie a handful of quiet coves that offer excellent, all-around protection deep inside Broughton Island, surrounded by mountains and forest.
The lagoon is reached through narrow Booker Passage, a short dogleg channel on its southeastern side, off Cullen Harbour. Once inside, popular anchorages include the small cove in the northeast corner and the spots off the northwest shore, both sheltered from prevailing summer winds. Holding is generally good in mud.
This is wilderness cruising: black bears forage the tidal flats, herons and ravens work the shoreline, and on a quiet day a boat may have the entire basin to itself. The nearest services lie a half-day east at Port McNeill.
Approach notes, hazards to watch for, and what's available once you're tied up.
Access is via Booker Passage, a narrow, crooked channel that is not a straight line and is barely wide enough for one vessel at a time. Currents run strong, commonly exceeding 7 knots and reported as high as 8-10 knots, generating whirlpools and overfalls; the constricted entrance means the basin neither drains nor refills quickly, so slack water is brief. Transit only at or near slack (locally figured at roughly 10 minutes after Alert Bay high water) and announce your intentions on VHF 16 before entering, since you cannot turn around or pass an oncoming boat inside the passage.
There is good depth within Booker Passage itself, so it can be run at high or low slack, but a bow spotter is wise. Inside the lagoon, beware abandoned aquaculture debris (net, rope, floats) on the bottom in several coves; rig a trip line and float on the anchor to aid recovery if it fouls. Cullen Harbour, just outside, is a good place to wait for favorable slack.
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 Booker Lagoon 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.
