Go/No Go: Weather, Wind, Currents & Tides
We have put together several sources of information for you to make your Sea Kayaking trip safer and more enjoyable. Some of the below information updates automatically while other information is linked to open up in a new window when it was available for us to do so (otherwise it will take you off our website and you have to hit the "back" button to return to our site.
Go/No Go? Make each piece of information below plus your skills, your group's skills and your equipment part of your decision making process for a Go/No Go choice. Learn and understand what your preferences and limits are regarding wind, waves and weather.
Plan and prepare ahead of time. Your data service may not work in certain areas around Saturna Island and the neighboring Southern Gulf Islands. You can also use this PDF (specific to Saturna Island) to print and complete.
Disclaimer: we cannot guarantee the accuracy of information provided through the listed links.
Tip: If you are using a mobile device, take several screen snap shots.
Land Based Weather
Environment Canada
You can find in depth information on Canadian weather here.
The information to the left is also derived from Environment Canada and relevant for the Southern Gulf Islands area.
Click it and you will see more detailed information about this area.
Weather and Wind with Windfinder
Select "Forecast map" for a visual of winds in our area.
Go directly to the Superforecast by Windfinder.
Thank you Windfinder for providing this awesome embedded information. If wind speed is showing in km/h vs knots, you can adjust this in your browser when visiting Windfinder's site.
The forecast map does not take into consideration local winds that can vary dramatically around sheltered, funneling or exposed land masses of our relatively small islands.
Weather Underground
One of our favourite Kayaking Skills Resources is a quick visual weather assessment of Saturna Island: http://www.wunderground.com
You can access the 10-Day Weather Forecast, Wind Direction, Sunrise, Sunset, Moon Cycle and much more.
WunderGround also have a good mobile app that you can download for free. Or you can have the weather emailed to you by subscription on their website. Downside of that website is the advertising that is overtaking it.
Marine Weather
Environment Canada: Marine Forecasts for the Pacific waters
Regular Forecast and Technical Marine Synopsis: 4 am; 10:30 am; 4 pm; 9:30 pm
Extended Forecast: 4 am; 4 pm
Wave Height Forecast: 4 am; 4 pm
Use the below RSS feeds for updated information (check date and time is most recent) in our area. Updated forecasts are issued as required. All issue times are Pacific Standard or Daylight Saving Time (PST/PDT). To view other surrounding Straits, you can Get the full listing for the Pacific Waters here
RSS click below for full info
- Forecast for Tonight and Friday. - Haro StraitWind light tonight and Friday. Issued 09:30 PM PST 14 November 2024Environment Canada
- Extended Forecast - Haro StraitSaturday: Wind southeast 5 to 15 knots increasing to southeast 25 to 35 in the afternoon.Sunday: Wind southeast 15 to 20 knots veering to southwest 10 to 20.Monday: Wind southwest 10 to 20 knots.Issued 04:00 PM PST 14 November 2024Environment Canada
RSS click below for full info
- Forecast for Tonight and Friday. - Strait of Georgia - south of NanaimoWind northwest 10 to 15 knots increasing to northwest 15 to 20 late overnight then diminishing to northwest 10 to 15 near noon Friday. Wind diminishing to light early Friday evening. Issued 09:30 PM PST 14 November 2024Environment Canada
- Forecast for Tonight and Friday. - Strait of Georgia - north of NanaimoWind light becoming northwest 10 to 15 knots near midnight then diminishing to light Friday afternoon. Issued 09:30 PM PST 14 November 2024Environment Canada
Tides4Fishing
Another favourite Kayaking Skills Resource is Tides4Fishing.
You will find comprehensive information on any area that you pick. The default location of the link may be Georgina Point, which is located at our neighbors (on Mayne Island's North).
Among plenty of useful topics, the site gives information about wave height.
Tides & Currents
Tides: Fulford Harbour
Fulford Harbour, Salt Spring Island is the monitoring point for the Southern Gulf Islands.
Currents: Boat Passage
Keep in mind that Flooding is toward the Vancouver mountains and Ebbing is toward Winter Cove on Saturna Island.
This website was created and developed by our friend Jeff Bairiki of www.dairiki.org
Currents: relevant to East Point
Go to tides.mobilegeographics to view currents for Boundary Pass, 2 miles NNE of Skipjack Island and other locations. Currents at Boundary Pass have relevance when kayaking around East Point and the surrounding areas, where currents can be very strong. We recommend careful consideration of currents, winds and your skill level when navigating this area. No guarantee is given for accuracy of the linked data.
Moon Phases
Water Temperature
Water Temerature in Victoria, BC
Water temperatures are averages for Victoria and not Saturna Island. They however reflect similar temperatures for us ranging from 8° in winter to 14°C in summer. For more information either click the picture to the left or check out our article Why wear your PFD.
Highly Recommended
Carry a VHF Radio for 3 reasons.
1. In case of an emergency, you can call the Canadian Coast Guard for assistance on Chanel 16.
2. Get the marine weather report from Environment Canada, which gets updated 4 times per day.
3. Stay in contact with other kayakers and boaters, while traveling and crossing passages or channels.
Phone for recorded marine weather information:
250-363-6492,
250-363-6880
250-363-6717 (English and French)
*16 on your mobile/cell phone calls the Canadian Coast Guard for Marine emergency.