Cabbage Island, BC NEXUS

[NWSeadog]

Has anybody used Cabbage Island off the southeast corner of Saturna as their NEXUS point of entry? It looks like it would be challenging to get into and there doesn’t actually seem to be any marine facilities. But it would be a short hop from Sucia if heading up the strait.

 

[Ken E.]

I'm pretty sure Cabbage Island isn't on the list. We use Miner's Bay, on the other side of Saturna, on Active Pass. No agent has ever met us there in many years of using it.

 

[NWSeadog]

Hi Ken
CBSA lists Cabbage Island, which has no dock facilities as near as I can tell. Also with the restricted boating areas on the south side it looks tickl-ish to get into. There are buoys there I understand. Miners Bay looks interesting.

 

[SteveK]

I have yet to find Miners Bay being a check in point. But Cabbage is listed as an official site. It is about 20 minutes by boat from Bedwell customs dock and I have seen them come to Cabbage. I used Cabbage when moored in Point Roberts, but then Cabbage was my destination.
OP, there is no dock or facilities there. Some mooring balls for a fee to Parks. Access into the anchorage means going past Cabbage island and the reefs and entering in about 35 feet between them (you have a line of sight to Saturna island). Your charts should show where the last of the shallow reefs end.

 

[NWSeadog]

Steve,
Thanks for the info on Cabbage Island. Looks like an interesting place to check out in settled weather. My charts seem to indicate the access from the south is restricted due to Orcas.

The CBSA has a good site for locating NEXUS/Marine check in points. There is filter box to restrict the list to British Columbia. There is 35 entries for British Columbia that includes Miners Bay. Very handy
NEXUS/Marine (NEXUS/MARINE) | Directory of CBSA Offices and Services | Canada Border Services Agency

Ken

 

[SteveK]

I stand corrected. Not even sure why it is shown. It is in Active pass, I suppose it would work for those that have gone past Sydney, Bedwell and Cabbage.

 

[Kawini]

I’m surprised that Cabbage Island is a point of entry.

That said, it’s a great place to tie up to one of the mooring balls. Especially, if you like to hike, the hiking on Cabbage and nearby Tumbo Islands is incredible.

A couple of cautions: this can be a really rolly-polly anchorage during periods of high tide when there is less protection from the Strait. Especially be aware of swell entering from the northwest during this period. Also, the harbor gets shallow very quickly. Our 5.5’ draft boat didn’t feel great on the eastern most buoys.

 

[soin2la]

I'm pretty sure Cabbage Island isn't on the list. We use Miner's Bay, on the other side of Saturna, on Active Pass. No agent has ever met us there in many years of using it.

Saturna is not on Active Pass and Miners Bay is on Mayne Island.

 

[sunchaser]

Why not clear in Sidney at downtown marina or Van Isle. You can phone in several nm from the harbor and likely would not have a physical inspection. Customs’ in Southern BC get cranky if forced to travel from a home base to inspect a recreational vessel knowing that you could easily get to their preferred locations.

 

[Crossroads]

Heads up: as of today, June 20, Van Isle is closed for checking in. Friends just tried and were directed to Bedwell.

It sounds like there may be maintenance work on the dock, no indication of how long it might be closed.

 

[Crossroads]

Apparently they are resurfacing the dock and expect to be open by the weekend.

 

[SteveK]

Heads up: as of today, June 20, Van Isle is closed for checking in. Friends just tried and were directed to Bedwell.

It sounds like there may be maintenance work on the dock, no indication of how long it might be closed.

And they were not directed to port of Sidney which is closer?

 

[Crossroads]

They are headed north, so Bedwell is on the way.