Around the Belle of the Bay

And they're off

Bell Island is a rock in the middle of Conception Bay that's about 26 kms around. Its been on my list of things to do - a circumnavigation. The biggest concern is the swell that can kick up on the western side of the island so its a good idea to pick your day, and, today was the day. Practically no wind all day and warm temperatures. Its not a long paddle as much as its one of those things that's just there and has to be done for the sake of doing it.

Brian, Dean, Derrick and I took the ferry from Portugal Cove to the Beach on Bell Island where we put-in and started paddling north. Brian had done this once before but for the rest of us it was going to be a first.

Bell Island is a rock towering out of the water that's 200 feet high in places. In that sense its hard to find views that are not just paddlers going by walls of rock but I hope I got a few that are interesting.

Brian at Redmond's Head

Rounding the north end of Bell Island we had a great paddle in some gentle swell all the way along the shore in the distance. Every now and then we saw a minke whale off to our right and soon after that a motor boat that was chasing it around the bay. Some people have no common sense.

Derrick looks swell in the swell

The rocks on the west side of Bell Island slope gently out under the water that makes for an interesting sea state. Even a small swell builds to a fine size once it reaches the shallower water.

Ochre Pit Cove

This part of the west side of Bell Island was wave worn but no caves. The reddish rocks looked like they had a high hematite content that would make wearing of deep caves into the cliffs very difficult.

Dwarfed by the Bell of Bell Island

Brain, Dean and Derrick are dwarfed by "The Bell" for which Bell Island is named.

Pit stop

Front Bell Cove was our lunch spot today. We sat on the beach and watched a minke whale cruise past us in the bay while we munched on the lunch offering. We also had some discussion as to whether this sea stack was called "The Clapper". I don't know but its a fine piece of rock.

Dark Hole Cove

Refreshed and fueled up after lunch break we made off for the ferry terminal where we started the day. This was in a small cove that's called Dark Hole Cove on the map. There wasn't much of a cove but and interesting sea stack.

Reflections

The water was oily calm and very reflective on the eastern side of Bell Island shortly after lunch break. Here we were on our way back to the ferry terminal and full circle. Derrick opened her up and Brain and myself had to pour it on too to keep up. Dean in the dry suit overheated and paddled his own pace.

We paddled approximately 26 kms in 4 hours paddle time. A very enjoyable paddle guys and a first for Derrick, Dean and myself - a circumnavigation of Bell Island.