Echo Bay BC

So we saw this video today. Who has been there and what was your experience? We are thinking of including this as one of our stops next year...

Just a hunch but I would say that video was shot by Darren who is a TF member, user name "Moonfish"....
Trawler Forum - View Profile: Moonfish

Well worth a stop. We were in there twice this season, late May and July 1. Starting late June thru August, they put on some great feeds. Prime Rib one day a week, a pig roast day and a fish and chip day. Hot tub, happy hours, a store, fuel. A few trails, Billy Proctors museum a short stroll away. Good anchorage a short dinghy ride away in Shoal Hbr. Docks are good, it is a great stop. DS

We have been many times, from before it became Pierres at Echo Bay. It's a good stop, good marina, and the people running it are friendly although busy.

Billy Proctors museum is worth the hike or dinghy ride. Ha also sells book at his book store nearby although the last time we were there [last year] he only accepted cash, no cards.

Fishing and prawning is usually good , depending of course when you are there, as the little devils come and go.

A good stop and we too intend to visit next summer.

That looks like a great place to hang out for a couple of days. Thanks for the video, Tom.

Echo Bay was a cool place to stay. They have fresh water, internet, laundry, garbage service,and small store, all of which are hard to come by in this area. When we were there I was one of several judges for a clam chowder cook-off. Good docks and well protected.
If you would like to read about some of the early history of this area, the book by Bill Proctor named Full Moon, Flood Tide is really interesting and I would highly recommend it.

Three years ago when we were there they had a bad infestation of flying carpenter ants.

Ants can be problem anywhere on the coast and I mean anywhere. Much Worse some years than others. Also a lot depends upon which months you are present.
Seek out out of the way areas with lots of bush/Forest then guess what.

I do agree the ant can spoil a stay though.

Hot sunny days in June or early July are most likely.
Yet that is when we usually go to the Broughton and never had a problem in approx. 15 trips.

I normally stay at Pierre's Echo Bay early in the season. In May, June, and September it's quiet and laid back. In July and August it's often packed.

Pierre hosts many events...these are great for social cruisers, maybe not so great for people who want to be away from everything. He has Italian night, prime rib night, etc. His pig roasts are probably the biggest draw.

The marina has power, water (non-potable and tinted brown from cedar tannin), a store that is pretty well stocked in the summer, and fuel. Last winter he added a wood-fired saltwater hot tub and in June he was completing a sauna.

The Broughtons in general are very social. Almost every marina has a "happy hour" at 4 or 5. They're all a bit different, but basically everyone brings a dish to share and drinks for themselves. Some marinas provide some food (i.e. Lagoon Cove just about always has prawns). Lots of people love this type of activity, others find preparing dishes (it can get competitive!) stressful.

Pierre and his wife Tove are delightful people. If you really want to get on his good side, give him a six pack of Budweiser when you arrive!

One note generally about the areas north of Desolation Sound. Many marinas are completely off grid. If they offer shore power, that power probably comes from a diesel generator (a few places have hydro power). Don't be surprised if 30 amp power is $20. Many marinas also advertise Wi-Fi. These are satellite connections. They're slow, especially when shared by a marina full of boats.

Well worth a stop. We anchor in Shoal Hbr about 1 mile away versus at the docks. Great anchorage with lots of room. If there is available space, Pierre allows people to dinghy over and join in just for the dinners.

Go by Billy Proctor's (and get his book). He is a local legend and absolute wealth of knowledge on the entire area. His book was our constant companion for the rest of the trip around the Broughtons.

Since we are in the video, we were obviously there - earlier this month. First time in about 15 years.


No ants, great prime rib, inconsistent internet, nice hike/walk to Proctor's Museum, $25 for 30 amp power. A nice couple trying to make a go of it. Worth a stop.

rochepoint said:

Just a hunch but I would say that video was shot by Darren who is a TF member, user name "Moonfish"....
Trawler Forum - View Profile: Moonfish

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You are correct, Mike! We had a very nice stay there at Pierre's Echo Bay. Retreiver's post is also spot on. It's a very busy little place in July and August. But we balanced our time in the Broughtons by anchoring somewhere completely alone for a few days then hitting one of the marinas. If you're up there, and you want to stay in a marina, then Pierre's would be on our "must see" list...

The Broughtons in August are very busy. Pierre's possibly the busiest. Yesterday we hiked around Sointula, neat place and with a rich history. Port McNeill offers all the things the Broughtons lack in the way of shopping, Internet and cost effective power. So many choices ----

Tom,
Yes Sointula is very charming. Spent a day there w my first wife and ate at a place next to the Harbour. Lot of really interesting boats. Re some I haven't seen anything like since. We left our boat at Alert bay and took the ferry. Can't remember why we did that. Beautiful charming old houses and several silent lawn mowers (horses) in small front yards. A Dutch community as I recall.

manyboats said:

Tom,
. A Dutch community as I recall.

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Finnish, it was bilingual Finnish and English for those living there well into the 1960s.

I can't wait to start our adventures.....