This morning we cast off from Anglers Anchorage Marina in Brentwood Bay after spending four nights tied to the dock. With five days of dog shows now behind us, it’s time to get back to what this trip is all about—exploring the incredible cruising destinations around the Gulf Islands and Vancouver Island.
As we departed, we realized this marks our 206th night aboard Off Leash since purchasing her. It’s amazing to think about how many miles, anchorages, marinas, sunsets, wildlife encounters, and memories have accumulated over those nights. Every trip seems to add another chapter to the story.
Our stay in Brentwood Bay was a little different than most stops on this adventure. Marcia and Desdemona spent their days at the Saanich Fairgrounds at the dog show, where Desdemona was up against seven other Old English Sheepdogs. While the competition kept them busy, it also gave us an excellent excuse to spend several days in the area.
One thing that made our stay especially enjoyable was having access to a vehicle. A huge thank you to Brenda for making that possible. Having a car completely changes what you can experience from a marina. Instead of staying within walking distance of the docks, we were able to explore the surrounding communities, run errands with ease, and see much more of the Saanich Peninsula than we otherwise would have.
Overall, Anglers Anchorage Marina was an excellent place to stay. The marina is quiet, well maintained, and the staff were friendly throughout our visit. It’s the kind of marina where you can relax without a lot of noise or traffic, making it a comfortable base for several days.
One thing that caught our attention on arrival was the approach to the marina. At first glance, it almost looked like a minefield of anchored boats. There seemed to be boats everywhere, making it difficult to see the best route in. It wasn’t until we were nearly at the marina that we noticed the clearly marked entrance channel with red and green navigation buoys leading safely through the anchored fleet and directly to the docks.
If you’re planning your first visit to Anglers Anchorage, I’d recommend taking a close look at your charts before arriving. Knowing where that buoyed entrance is located makes the approach much less stressful and helps you avoid weaving through the anchorage unnecessarily.
One of the unexpected highlights of our stay was the incredible number of jellyfish around the marina. Every walk down the docks seemed to reveal dozens of them drifting gracefully beneath the floats. Some were almost pure white, while others glowed with brilliant shades of orange and red. Watching them slowly pulse through the water is mesmerizing, and I couldn’t resist spending some time photographing them. The waters around Brentwood Bay offered some fantastic opportunities for close-up photography.
With the car, we also made a trip over to Sidney to explore the waterfront. Sidney is always a pleasant place to visit, with its walkable waterfront and relaxed coastal atmosphere. One stop that stood out was a local fish market where we picked up fresh salmon for dinner. It doesn’t get much better than enjoying freshly salmon while cruising the Pacific Northwest.
The fish market was on the pier at the Sidney waterfront featured above.
The location of Anglers Anchorage Marina also makes it an excellent choice for anyone attending events at the Saanich Fairgrounds, as long as you have some type of ground transportation. It is a bit far for a reasonable walk. With a vehicle, the drive is short and convenient, making it an ideal place to stay whether you’re visiting for a dog show, fair, or one of the many events held there throughout the year.
Now, with the dog show portion of the trip complete, we’re shifting back into cruising mode. The schedule becomes much more flexible, with no deadlines or competitions to reach—just destinations to explore and new adventures waiting around every corner.
Our next stop is Genoa Bay, and we’re looking forward to seeing what it has to offer. Stay tuned as the next chapter of our summer cruise unfolds.