August 11, 2025 Anchoring in Maskells Harbour

 Monday  August 11, 2025  St. Peters to Maskells Harbour Anchorage  29 miles and 3.4 hours

Shorter cruising day today so no real hurry to get off the dock.  We opt for a pumpout before leaving.  More of a convenience than a need for it.  The hose for it is on the fuel dock right beside our fitting.  Just needed to get someone to come hook it up.  Which they eventually did and finally have us on our way around 11.   Destination is Maskells Harbour anchorage for an overnight stay before heading to Baddeck.  Nice cruising day.  Temperatures are into the low 80's. Relatively light SW winds.  Just the semblance of a chop in the open water portion.  Only obstacle in todays cruise is the Barra Strait Bridges.  As we round Derby Point and off the big water the line of 2 bridges, a railroad and highway, come into focus.  The railroad bridge is swung open and apparently hasn't been closed for years.   The road bridge states a 25' clearance on our charts.  We hail the bridgetender who cheerfully announces it's actually 27'.  No need for him to raise it for us and we easily fit under.  It's a narrow opening with a bit of tidal surge but we get through without issue. 

Passing through the Barra Strait Bridges opening

The reviews for our anchorage  are spot on.  A lovely place to drop anchor and surprisingly we have the entire cove to ourselves. Sets us up for a relaxing afternoon and steaks on the grill for dinner.  Martha even has a chance to fly the drone and get some pictures!

Water based view of our anchorage 

And the view from up high

Bras d'Or lake has a diverse ecosystem because it mixes fresh and salt water.   There are two narrow inlets from the sea on the north end and then the other entrance at the south via the St Peters Canal.  This allows for a combination of fresh water and salt water fish depending on the area and salinity.  We'll mostly be staying in the fresher water sections.  Pretty good sized lake with multiple fingers off the main body.  Maximum length is 62 miles and max width is 31 miles.  Total of 621 miles of shoreline with a maximum depth of 942 feet.  Plenty of anchorages to explore and a few towns along the shores.  Mostly surrounded by low mountains and trees making it very picturesque as well as providing plenty of well protected anchorage areas.

Bras d'Or lake as shown in relation to Cape Breton on our GPS

Journey for August 11, 2025