| Saanich Inlet | |
|---|---|
| French:Baie Saanich | |
 Saanich Inlet fromGowlland Tod Provincial Park | |
  Saanich Inlet | |
| Location | Northwest ofVictoria,British Columbia |
| Coordinates | 48°37′33″N123°30′26″W / 48.62583°N 123.50722°W /48.62583; -123.50722 (Saanich Inlet) |
| Type | Fjord |
| River sources | Goldstream River |
| Basin countries |  Canada |
| Max. length | 25 km (16 mi) |
| Surface area | 67 km2 (26 sq mi) |
| Max. depth | 226 m (741 ft) |
Saanich Inlet[1] (alsoSaanich Arm) is a body ofsalt water that lies between theSaanich Peninsula and theMalahat highlands ofVancouver Island,British Columbia, Canada. Located just northwest ofVictoria, the inlet is 25 km (16 mi) long, has a surface area of 67 km2 (26 sq mi), and its maximum depth is 226 m (741 ft). It extends fromSatellite Channel in the north (separatingSalt Spring Island from theSaanich Peninsula) to Squally Reach and Finlayson Arm in the south. The only major tributary feeding the inlet is theGoldstream River.
The inlet has been of importance as afishery to theMalahat andSaanichFirst Nations for centuries, and manyIndian reserves are situated on the shoreline. Since the arrival of Europeans, the inlet has also provided a recreational and commercial fishery. It has also been popular with SCUBA divers. For several years, a port existed on the western shore atBamberton, servicing acement works.
For most of the year the deep waters areanoxic, andhydrogen sulphide (H2S) is often detected near the bottom. In the late summer and early fall, oxygenated waters from theHaro Strait and the Satellite Channel spill over into the deep basin of Saanich Inlet.
Notable bays and inlets adjacent to Saanich Inlet include:
Other notable features around the inlet are:
