We caught the 9 am ferry from Horseshoe Bay made our way over to Bowen Bay and launched about 10:20 . Conditions were almost perfect with a slight outflow wind and a small ebb tide making the paddle over to the east end Worlcombe Island fast and pleasant. We continued along the rugged south shore of Worlcombe and then touched each of the Popham islands before proceeding north along the west shore of Hermitage Island. We landed at approximately 12:30 on the small peninsular known as ‘Little Hermitage' where we enjoyed lunch in the warmth of the sun. After lunch we paddled to and around the small islands to the north of the archipelago, back down to Pasley Island and then across the channel to Bowen Bay for the take out. We landed about 2:45 pm. The distance covered was just over 8 nautical miles. The group were very congenial, everyone stayed together and everyone did well. As usual at this time of the year it was very quiet with very little boat traffic. The were many migrating birds, mainly ducks and scoters but with some shoreline birds.
6 of us reconvened at the pub in Snug Cove for refreshments before catching the 5 pm ferry back to Horseshoe Bay.
This is a good destination for an easy trip either early in the season or in the fall. I would be pleased to lead this trip for SKABC in April 2015.
Submitted by Tony Clayton