April 14, 2016
We had three anchorages to choose from in the Dillon Bell area. Below is our impression of each.
Dillon Bell Point Anchorage
This little keyhole anchorage was so small we weren’t sure we could even get into it, but it looked intriguing enough to give it a try. Very carefully, we approached and succeeded in getting all the way in. What a gorgeous place! We were surrounded by walls of native forest so close they seemed to tower above us. There wasn’t much room, but by tying a line ashore we could have anchored there. The place was pretty enough that it would normally have been worth the effort, but the afternoon was starting to get chilly even in the sun. In the shade of this anchorage, the temperature had dropped 10 degrees, which didn’t inspire us to want to get out the dinghy and tie up to shore. Even if we did, it was too cold to sit out for a sundowner. A little reluctantly, we headed on.
Unnamed Anchorage South of Jacobs Bay
While not quite as stunning as the previous little anchorage, this was very pretty. But like the other anchorage this, too, was shady and cold. The nesting shags in a shoreline tree gave it a unique appeal, but the huge tree log sticking up right in the middle of the bay was a deal breaker. We decided to head to the next bay around the corner: Jacobs Bay. (You can click to enlarge/scroll through photos in the cascade below.)
Jacobs Bay
Jacobs Bay, while not as striking as the first two spots, had a couple of advantages. First, it was still getting some sun so was quite a bit warmer than the previous two bays. Second was its Combined Club mooring, currently unoccupied, which we went ahead and picked up. Onshore was a small campground and the entry to the Jacobs Bay/Fairy Bay Track, a hike we planned to take the following morning. In all, Jacobs Bay was the best choice for us today. -Cyndi
(Photos in the gallery below taken the following morning. Click to enlarge and scroll.)
