Located on the west coast of Vancouver Island and within the traditional territory of the Nuu-cha-nulth First Nations, Barkley Sound is one of the many gems and incredibly unique environments BC has to offer. Because of this some friends and I decided to head to a group of islands near the “Broken Group” during May long-weekend, in order to experience the area for ourselves.

We started our journey off at the Poett Nook boat launch, from where we headed out in the late evening to make landfall on an island we would call home for the next 3 days. After a short boat ride we found the perfect spot to set up camp: a wonderful white sandy beach surrounded by incredibly clear turquoise water.

We set up camp in the shade and decided to explore the unique marine environment this island had to offer. We saw countless tide pools filled with Acorn Barnacles, Moon Snails, Oysters and Green Surf Anemones. But the highlight were definitely the Spiny Pink Sea Stars and bright orange and purple Ochre Stars.

While we spent some day-trips exploring Bamfield and Julia passage, we of course also had to explore the under-water world. So we geared up in our wetsuits, snorkels and fins and wandered into the waves. This was like walking through a portal into another world. Having only dived in the comparably murky waters of Whitecliff park, BC, this was a spectacle of species and colors!

But one of the highlight of the trip was when the boys came back from a successful fishing trip bearing Rockfish and Lingcod. There is simply nothing that beats eating freshly caught fish. The same goes for the Salmon which our camp neighbours so graciously offered us the second night. We prepared the fresh fillets with some lemon and seasoning, wrapped them in aluminium foil and tossed them in the fire. Absolutely delicious!

On the last day of the trip we almost weren’t able to make it back to Vancouver on the ferry due to some trailer length issues. Luckily everything got sorted out and we were back home by 2am, although, I am sure none of us truly wanted to leave.