When we decided, without much research, to sail into El Salvador and spend the summer, we didn’t know much about the place. This tiny country wedged into Central America is generally overlooked because of its violent past. Undaunted, we crossed the notorious bar entrance into a country that was entirely new to us.

The bar crossing at Bahia del Sol is legendary among cruisers. Reactions range from “the most fun thing I’ve done on the boat” to “You’re crazy. You’ll lose the boat.” And yes, a boat was lost at the bar recently. Since then, new safety regulations have been put in place, and local pilot boats guide vessels across. Still, it’s a surfy ride. One you have to commit to.

Late-night goat calls, chonky feral sheep, and an abandoned homestead. Jedediah Island is one of those remote anchorages in BC that feels like it exists outside of time. For anyone cruising the BC coast, it’s an unforgettable stop.

British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast and Gulf Islands offer some of the most underrated sailing anchorages on the Pacific Coast. While many cruising guides highlight dramatic destinations like the west coast of Vancouver Island or the glacier-fed inlets of Alaska, savvy boaters know there’s something special about these more sheltered local waters.