Brentwood Bay is home to beautiful marinas that are perfect for exploring by paddleboard. In this blog post, we'll take a look at some of the best marinas in the area and what makes them so special. Whether you're an experienced paddler or just getting started, there's something for everyone in Brentwood Bay. So let's explore some of these amazing marinas and delve into why we love them so much!
Brentwood Bay Marina
The Brentwood Bay Marina is a great place to visit if you want to enjoy some of the best that nature has to offer. Located in a beautiful setting, it offers a variety of amenities that are sure to provide you with a great time. It’s a beautiful sight to see with its bright colours and well-maintained docks. They are a popular spot for visitors and stand-up paddleboarders for a reason!
Anglers Anchorage Marina
Established in 1975 this Marina is in a truly beautiful location within the Brentwood Bay Marina. Located a short distance from Victoria BC you will have access to everything you could possibly need. You will be in close proximity to the famous Butchart Gardens and all of its beauty as well as the museums and parliament buildings. Anglers Anchorage is perfect for immersing yourself in cultural experiences or simply spending the day at the beach.
Rates and Reservations: It is essential that you reserve well in advance if you plan to stay at Anglers Anchorage Marina. Depending on the size of your boat and length of stay will determine the cost. A full cost breakdown can be found here.
Portside Marina
First opened in 1927 Portside Marina is located in the beautiful Brentwood Bay alongside Gilbert Boathouse. Fun fact - many Canadian Prime Ministers have fished in this area! This Marina is popular with people of all ages who want to have easy access to fishing, paddle boarding and diving.
Rates and Reservations: Portside Marina is full for the foreseeable future BUT that doesn't mean you can't have a lovely day visit! To enquiry a click the link here.
To Summarise The Brentwood Bay Marinas
All of the marinas in Brentwood Bay offer a variety of services, including fuel, pump-out, dockage, and water. They have restrooms, showers, laundry rooms and small stores. Normally they are open from April to October, and the rates vary depending on location. With their beautiful location on the Saanich Inlet and variety of services, they are a popular destination for many people in British Columbia (us included!).
Brentwood Bay Tides
The waters around Brentwood Bay are usually calm enough for beginner paddlers but at times conditions can be challenging, especially during winter months when storms can whip up large waves and strong currents. It is important to check the marine weather forecast or check with local paddle shops before heading out onto the water, as conditions can change rapidly.
The range in Brentwood Bay is about 2.5 metres (8 feet), with the highest tides occurring near the head of the bay. The tidal currents are strongest near the head of the bay and weakest near the mouth. Tides in Brentwood Bay are semi-diurnal, which means that they have two high and low tides. During the high tide, water flows into the bay and during the low tide, water flows out.
The average tidal range in Brentwood Bay is 5.2 feet. The highest tides occur around the full and new moon phases when the gravitational pull of the moon is strongest. These are called spring tides. During spring tides, the tidal range can be as high as 8 feet.
The lowest tides, called neap tides, occur during the quarter moon phases when the gravitational pull of the sun counteracts the pull of the moon. During neap tides, the tidal range is usually around 3.3 feet.
The tidal current in Brentwood Bay flows from the head of the bay to the mouth. The average tidal current speed is about 0.5 metres per second (1.1 feet per second). The strongest tidal current occurs near the head of the bay and the weakest tidal current occurs near the mouth.
The best time to do any paddle sport in Brentwood Bay is during the slack tide when there is no tidal current. Slack tide occurs twice a day, in between the high and low tide. During slack tide, the water is calm and it is safe to go on the water.
TideCharts is a really useful website that gives you a full breakdown of the tide in the next week.
Brentwood Bay Marine Weather
The best way to stay safe on the water is to be prepared for all types of weather conditions. Dress warmly and in layers, even if it is sunny when you leave the shore. Bring along a raincoat and a set of dry clothes, just in case. Make sure you have all the necessary safety equipment, including a life jacket, a whistle, and a sound-producing device.
Most importantly, always stay aware of your surroundings and be prepared to take evasive action if necessary. Brentwood Bay is a beautiful place to explore, but it is important to do so safely.
We wrote a whole post dedicated to sharing the best apps and resources that we use when going out on the water. We delve deep into apps compatible with IOS and Android. To read the full post click here.
Environment Canada is also another useful website we recommend you make use of. It gives you current conditions of particular areas, satellite views and alerts.
Nearest Paddle Boarding Options
Brentwood Bay is a Mecca for paddle boarders. We, Blue jellyfish SUP Adventures, partner with Pacifica Paddle Sports to provide high quality stand up paddle board lessons, tours, events and Paddle Canada courses for the beginner to advanced paddler and those interested in ocean experiences. Our lessons are available year-round and can be tailored to your needs. Quality rentals and excellent customer service from Pacifica Paddle Sports makes for a fun, exciting, stress free adventure for your family and friends. We even offer free social paddles to our growing SUP community. For a full list of Stand Up Paddle programs and events we offer please click the link here. Come take in the beauty of the Saanich Inlet and get closer to the ocean with us.
Brentwood Bay Resort
If you want luxury and an experience to remember then Brentwood Bay Resort is the place we recommend for you. With options from one-bedrooms, to villas, to deluxe suites they have it all. Not only do you have an abundance of options when it comes to paddleboarding, but you also have live music and exceptional cuisine right at your fingertips.
Rates and Reservations: Depending on the time of year you visit and the type of accommodation you want your rates will change drastically. The minimum cost for a one-bedroom apartment is $250 per night. Although it may be on the little pricer side you have all the amenities and luxury you could ask for. We advise booking one month in advance to get the accommodation and dates of your choice.
Other Things to do in Brentwood Bay
When it’s time to take a rest from being on the water you will find an abundance of culinary options, live music and ways to relax.
Delicious fresh seafood with a view of the bay sounds pretty idyllic right? Well, it’s possible! The Seahorses cafe is situated right in the heart of the Portside Marina. With an extensive menu to suit anybody's dietary requirements. They have a full list of positive reviews on Google so go check them out for yourself! Seahorse Cafe. You also have close access to beaches and fantastic hiking trails.
If you want to taste New Orleans and support a good cause then Blues Bayou Cafe is a great place to visit. The Blue’s Bayou is well-known locally and the same, dedicated owners have been proudly servicing Anglers Anchorage guests for many years. The restaurant also supports the Vancouver Aquarium’s Wise Conservation Program which was created to help businesses and their customers identify and purchase sustainable seafood.
Brentwood Bay Resortis a 5* resort that has enough things to do that you will never have to leave. From live shows each night to spas and relaxing treatments all your needs will be taken care of. If you choose to leave the resort there are plenty of little cafes and restaurants close by.
To Conclude
Brentwood Bay is a haven for paddlers, boaters and nature enthusiasts alike. Its sheltered location in the Saanich Inlet, calm waters and variety of marine life make it a popular spot for kayakers, paddleboarders, and sailors. It is a stunning place and if you want to see it for yourself, we have all the information you need. We’ve highlighted some of the best things about Brentwood Bay in this post, but there is so much more to explore. The Marinas of Brentwood Bay are definitely worth a visit – we invite you to come and see for yourself how beautiful they are!