A Dreamspeaker Cruising Guide, Vol. 1: The Gulf Islands and Vancouver Island from Sooke to Nanaimo

Nikki Tate-Stratton writes novels for preteens; her latest books are
Jessa Be Nimble, Rebel Be Quick; Raven’s Revenge; and Tarragon Island.

Exploring the southern end of Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands by
water is one of the great pleasures of spending time on the west coast
of British Columbia. Having the Dreamspeaker Cruising Guide close at
hand will make any boater’s journey safer and more enjoyable. This
comprehensive look at the approaches to and facilities found at many
regional destinations is both thoughtfully organized and concisely
written.

The informative text is peppered with photographs (both aerial shots of
anchorage approaches and photos of the local sights), chart
reproductions, and illustrations. The guide is obviously written by a
couple familiar with the needs of boaters approaching a new destination
from the water. Not only are details provided about harbor approaches
and hazards, the book also provides great ideas about what to do once
the anchor is safely dropped and the sails stowed away. Activities of
note for adults and young-folk are described with a nice blend of
clarity and brevity. On the purely practical side, destination
descriptions include the locations of grocery stores, showers,
cappuccino bars, pubs, and laundry facilities. Local wildlife-viewing
opportunities are noted, as are any restrictions to access to a
particular area.

The illustrations could have been clearer had the artist chosen a
different medium (pen and ink over watercolor washes would have
eliminated the uneven shading that is inevitable with pencil crayons);
nevertheless, they provide a visual reference a boater will find useful
when approaching and exploring a new anchorage.

Designed to be used in conjunction with standard nautical charts, the
guide refers readers to the appropriate Canadian Hydrographic Service
charts that should be used for actual navigation. Many other useful
resources are listed, including sources for weather information, boating
safety guidelines, electronic charts, and other nautical publications
such as tide and current tables. Quick-reference notes include details
of boat-launch locations, customs offices, public wharves, and marinas.
Cautionary comments are set out clearly at the top of each page. Useful
phone numbers and addresses are included in the more detailed textual
descriptions of each destination.