Ahoy Guest House
53 Pirates Lane
Protection Island, B.C.
If you go out in the woods today, you’re in for a great delight. Pack your bags, buy your groceries and head for the “Protection Island” ferry dock, located at the south end of Nanaimo Harbour, and sail to the “Dinghy Dock Pub” terminal.
You will have previously made your reservations to stay at the Ahoy Guest House on Protection Island, a veritable retreat into relaxation and solitude.
The hosts, Wendy and Corie, at the Ahoy Guest House, will situate you in a comfortable ground floor suite, accessible by a shared entrance. The guesthouse is a ten minute up from the ferry dock, where a wheelbarrow can be arranged to transport your personal luggage as you wend your way along winding roads and forested lots.
Most transportation on Protection Island is either golf cart or wheelbarrow, so arrange to park your car. Mainlanders would be advised to find parking in Horseshoe Bay and be a walk on B. C. Ferris passenger. Arriving from Vancouver Island arrange for parking in Nanaimo. An easy taxi ride or a city bus will deposit you at the Port Place Mall, good shopping exists. Another alternative is to fly into Nanaimo Harbour and walk around the promenade to the ‘Protection Connection’ ferry located at the foot of the boat basin ramp.
Fabric shopping bags are large and sturdy enough to carry your selection of groceries and supplies available at the Port Place Mall. A variety of shops are conveniently housed in the mall along with Thrifty Foods, London Drugs and a B. C Liquor outlet. You may decide to have lunch in the mall or at one of many fine dockside restaurants before you sail.
The Ahoy Guest House, usually referred to as a vacation rental, has a two night minimum stay. Facilitated with a queen sized bed and day beds the two bedroom suite will sleep 4-6 people if the pull out sofa is also used. Heated by a toasty woodstove the suite includes an indoor children’s
‘ play area and a versatile kitchen area. A large fridge to cool your groceries, a microwave oven and a counter top hot plate stove along with a kitchen sink provide ample facilities to prepare a delightful morsel. There is a barbeque available on the patio which leads to a large backyard also with a children’s’ outdoor play area. Through the quiet evenings you can entertain with DV Ds or music from the radio.
The island life style offers very full rewarding days of activity that build your appetite. There are many hiking trails through parks, roadways and beaches, signs usually indicate beach access. One must always be aware of the tides. Inquire about local events, music concerts, bake sales and teas, you never know you may be introduced to a talented local celebrity. As you wander the island in search of memories, you will notice the timing of the ferries from Horseshoe Bay, Duke Point, Gabriola Island but do not confuse them with the dragon boat crews practicing or the kayaks rounding the island. Natural wildlife will amaze you with their appearance, seals gulls, herons, otters and a variety of birds. In the park close by the round about parking area, the herons nest in the trees,you will notice them on your way to the Dinghy Dock pub for lunch.
Amateur geologists will be delighted by the island’s sandstone strata formations as they pick up sea shells along the beaches. The coal mining history of the island and area is well documented as you view the capped mine shaft at Gallows Point.
If you have a wandering foot arrangements can be made to visit and tour adjacent New Castle Island Provincial Park; but remember to take your camera to capture pictures of deer, giant ant mounds and the sandstone quarries.
A tour of Old Town Nanaimo is also exciting as you travel by foot, bus and taxivisiting quaint bookstores on Commercial Street or touring the old E and N railway station. The number one coal shaft monument is located in the harbor walk or you can witness the firing of the noon canon in Bastion Square. The canon’s report might also be audible at the Dinghy Dock Pub dock on Protection Island at noon.
If rest and relaxation is your quest and a chance to de-stress, the Ahoy Guest House on Protection Island is the starting point. Your trip will also be enlightening, because you will learn, experience and see something different.
That is the beginning of a new vision.
Please contact:
Wendy or Corie
Ahoy Guest House
53 Pirates Lane
Protection Island, B. C.,
Ph: 250 753 8671
email: ahoyonpi@telus.net
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