I completed this circumnavigation by sea kayak on June 4-5, 2025, as part of my larger Islands Circumnavigation Project.
Maurelle Island is the second island (of 40 total) I completed for the project.
Island Circumnavigated: Maurelle Island, Discovery Islands
Date Circumnavigated: June 4-5, 2025
Circumnavigation Direction: Clockwise
Island Size: 54 square kilometres
Route Summary: Launched at Hoskyn Channel Landing on Quadra Island at 3:30 p.m. on June 4. Paddled to Peck Island, across the south end of Beazley Passage, up between Sturt and Goepel Islands, over to Maurelle Island and to Antonio Point, whish was the start/end point for my circumnavigation. Beazley Passage was ebbing north at about 4 knots when I transited the area. Paddled 7 nautical miles north to Franscisco Island and camped there for the night. On June 5, launched at 8:00 a.m. and paddled through Hole in the Wall with a 3 knot flood current pushing me northeast. Continued around Maurelle and back to Antonio Point. I was ahead of schedule and had some time to play in the flood currents in the Settlers Group at speeds around 3-4 knots before returning to Hoskyn Channel Landing via the same route I took out.
Total Paddling Distance: 22.36 nautical miles (41.4 kilometres)
Total Paddling Time: 6 hours 39 minutes
Total Trip Time (Including Breaks): 21 hours 40 minutes
Moving Average Speed: 3.4 knots
Overall Average Speed: 2.9 knots
Maximum Speed: 7.4 knots
Boat: P&H Cetus LV
Highlights:
- Wind, wind and more wind! A headwind getting to Franscisco Island on June 4 and a tailwind/beam wind along the entire east shore on June 5.
- Watching the currents swirl and the sun set from my beautiful solo camping perch on Franscisco Island.
- Hauling my boat up high enough on the rocks to avoid the high tide at night.
- Paddling through Hole in the Wall for the first time.
- Seeing intertidal walls full of clams and snails on the Maurelle shoreline at the east end of Hole in the Wall.
- Playing in the currents after arriving back in the Settlers Group earlier than expected.
- Ticking this long-standing paddling goal off my list!
Photo Gallery:
Click on any image for a bigger view!
