Travel Information

Ferry Schedule and Island Highway

If you’re driving from the mainland you’ll need to take a ferry to Vancouver Island.  For those of you coming from the United States a good ferry to catch would be the first Tsawassen – Nanaimo ferry in the morning. The drive from Nanaimo to Campbell River takes about 2 hours, and the drive from Campbell River to the boat launch at Gold River takes about 1.5 hours.  Check the BC Ferries  web site for exact line up conditions.

Once on Vancouver Island, follow the signs heading north to Campbell River.  From Campbell River follow the signs to Gold River and head west on highway 28.  Once in Gold River, go through the town and head to the government dock where there is a boat launch and parking.  From the boat launch it is 18 miles up Muchalet Inlet then Tlupanna Inlet to Critter Cove. 

Click here for Nootka Sound Map

We recommend this route from Gold River as compared to towing a boat to Cougar Creek.  Both routes take about the same time, but the road to Cougar Creek will beat you and your boat up. 

If you should decide to go to Cougar Creek, stop at the Tourist Information Centre in Gold River to get a logging road map for directions.  The road to Cougar Creek is an active logging road, so be cautious.

Travel Information - Airlines

If you want to fly in, here is some information on local airlines:
Air Nootka (Gold River, BC)
250 283-2255
Northwest Seaplanes (Renton, WA)
425 277-1590
NW Seaplanes Critter Schedule
Kenmore Air (Kenmore, WA)
425 486-1257

*Air Nootka can arrange pickups anywhere in British Columbia (Vancouver, Victoria, Campbell River etc.)
**Northwest and Kenmore  will pick up passengers at SeaTac airport in Seattle, WA and then shuttle the passengers by van to their respective seaplane departure areas.

Gold River Accommodations

Accommodation in Gold River
Many of our guests plan to stay the night in Gold River before heading out
the inlet.  Here are some links to great places to stay in Gold River where
your boats are welcome:

The Ridgeview Motor Inn                          Gold River Chalet

Weather - Local report

Regularly updated Marine Weather report from the  Weather Network for our area.
Or visit the Environment Canada Weather Office.

Weather - Satellite Images

Jump to the Environment Canada Weather Office and view the latest satellite image of British Columbia or the whole of North America.

 

Tide Table

A new tide guide has been found. Check it out here, it covers most of the popular spots. We are still looking for a standalone program.

Fishing Regulation

DFO BC Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Guide

Fish Species

Chinook Salmon
The trophy salmon - these fish run 8 pounds to 65 pounds locally. A trophy (over 30 pounds) is called a Tyee. These fish are also known as Kings and Springs and are caught all season with the larger ones being caught from early June right through until the end of September.

Coho Salmon
These are the jumpers that run 5 pounds to 18 pounds locally (2003 saw a 28 pounder, and 2004 there was a 29 pounder). The Coho season starts in May and runs right through until the end of September.  Coho are also known as Silvers. 

Halibut
These monsters known as "Barn Doors" weigh anywhere from 20 pounds all the way up to 175 pounds  locally. The best time frame for these is May and June, however they can be caught right through the entire season.

Pink, Chum and Sockeye
The occasional Pink (sometimes called humpy) and Sockeye are caught.  Chum (sometimes called dog salmon) are plentiful in September and October.

 

Cod
Ling Cod, Rock Cod and Yellow Eye are all delicious bottom fish and great for an afternoon excursion. These can be caught year round.

Did you know?
West Coast Vancouver Island Chinook may return to their river to spawn at age 2, 3,4,5,6 and occasionally at 7 years old.

Birds of Critter Cove

Critter Cove's winter site C.E.O., Joe the Birdman of Nootka, has identified 63 different birds who visit Critter Cove. We'll update his list and this slide show when he finds more.

Joe the Birdman of Nootka’s list, last updated March 2009

1 Double-Crested Cormorant  2 Great Blue Heron  3 Trumpeter Swan  4 Glaucous-Winged Gull  5 Bonaparte's Gull  6 Mew Gull  7 Olive-Sided Flycatcher  8Red-Tailed Hawk  9 Sharp-Shinned Hawk  10 Bald Eagle  11 Northern Pygmy-Owl  12 Common Raven  13 Northwestern Crow  14 Steller's Jay  15 Brewer's Blackbird  16 Brown-Headed Cowbird  17 Golden-Crowned Sparrow  18 White-Crowned Sparrow  19 Savannah Sparrow  20 Fox Sparrow  21 Song Sparrow  22 Spotted Towhee  23 American Robin  24Rufous Hummingbird  25 Barn Swallow  26 Dark-Eyed Junco  27 Band-Tailed Pigeon  28 Belted Kingfisher  29 Golden-Crowned Kinglet  30 Orange-Crowned Warbler  31 Yellow Warbler  32 Yellow-Rumped Warbler  33 Wilson's Warbler  34 McGillivray’s Warbler  35 Hairy Woodpecker

36 Pileated Woodpecker 37 Northern Flicker-Red-Shafted. 38 Red-Breasted Sapsucker 39 Spotted Sandpiper 40 Western Grebe 41 Red-Necked Grebe 42 Pied-Billed Grebe 43 Common Loon 44 Mallard 45 Surf Scoter 46 Bufflehead 47 Barrow's Goldeneye 48 Common Goldeneye 49 Hooded Merganser 50 Common Merganser 51 Dunlin 52 Surfbird 53 Black Turnstone 54 Common Murre 55 American Wigeon 56 Greater Scaup 57 Osprey 58 Ruffed Grouse 59 Winter Wren 60 Cedar Waxwing 61 Warbling Vireo 62 Chestnut-Backed Chickadee 63 European Starling Have also heard: Western Screech-Owl Red-Breasted Nuthatch Bewick's Wren.

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