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As part of our continued planning for our Desolation Sound trip we are trying to decide where to launch.

We initially looked at leaving from the Seattle area but planning the trip showed we would need 5-6 days transit time each way just to get into the Jervis Inlet/Desolation Sound area. This also involves a number of long 50+ mile days which isn't preferable with kids on board. We are now looking at the following options in order to maximize our time up north. A big part of the decision will be the availablilty of secure long term parking at a reasonable price. Please comment not only on the launch but also on the available parking.

• A Vancouver area launch in the Horseshoe Bay/Howe Sound area.
  
  A launch at Jervis Inlet in the Pender Harbor/Egmont/Earls Cove area.
  What is highway 101 like between the Langdale ferry dock and Earls Cove?
  
  A launch on Vancouver Island anywhere between Nanoose Bay / Comox / Campbell River.
  What is highway 19 like from Nanaimo to Campbell River?
  
  A final choice would be to take the Earls Cove/Saltery Bay ferry and then drive to the Lund area to launch.
  Again, how is highway 101 along this area.

Thank you for your help.

Thanks.

I've done some research on the choices and ferry routes. The prices are all for my Suburban towing the Mac, 50' over 7' high, my wife and I and 3 kids.

Staying on the sunshine coast we can take the ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Langdale for $163.50 canadian round trip. This would let us drive up and launch at Pender harbour or Egmont. Both on Jervis.

To get up to Lund doubles the ferry costs to $327c. Since we do plan to do Jervis Inlet and Princess Louisa Inlet it makes the most sense to stop there rather than drive past up to Lund and then sail back south to Jervis.

On the Vancouver Island side there are 4 choices to reach the island.

Washington State ferries will get us to Sidney for, we have a winner here; NOT, $561.70us round trip.

The private ferry out of Port Angeles to Victoria is $268us round trip. Both these leave the longest drives north.

The BC ferry out of either Tsawwassen or Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo is $346.50c round trip. We would opt for the Tsawwassen ferry.

I've made a list of marina/launches to contact for more info.

Two in Howe sound, no ferry needed, Sewells Marina and Sunset Marina

Up north; Fishermans Resort, Pender Harbor; Egmont Marina, Egmont.

And on Vancouver Island; Stones Marina, Nanaimo, Shooner Cove Resort, Nanoose; French Creek Boat Harbour, French Creek; Deep Bay Harbour; Comox Muni Marina, Comox.

And in Campell River; Discovery Harbor Marina; Fishermans Wharf; Coast Marina.

If anyone has used any of these launches and has feed back I would appreciate it. Again, a big thing is the availablity of long term parking.

Parking is the only problem at Sewells in Horseshoe Bay. It is always at a premium there, and I haven't looked at the parking prices, but I bet its huge. I have a parking pass that you could use - except my pass is for vehicles without trailers in the summer (I am a permanent moorage customer there). There is an overflow parking lot on Marine drive about a 20 minute hike away. I can check prices for you this weekend and get back to you.