Family and Friends Trips

Overview

Imagine, your private odyssey by sailing ship, in one of the Earth’s richest natural worlds.

The Ultimate Pacific Coast Odyssey
For your next holiday, create an experience that excites and delights everyone: an adventure by sailing ship among the islands, wildlife and culture of the BC & Alaska coast.

Expert Guides, Superb Meals... Just Relax and Enjoy
Maple Leaf Adventures’ award-winning team of experts will take away the stress of logistics management. They’ll give you back time for fun with family and friends. They’ll guide you to remote beaches and hot springs, while the Maple Leaf chef prepares superb meals for all ages.

World-class Naturalists, Variety of Activities, for All Age Groups
The variety of activities on a Maple Leaf trip is perfect for multi-generational trips. These include:

• wildlife viewing (whales, seabirds, porpoise, sea lions, seals, bears)
• sailing
• plenty of shore time in the rainforest
• remote beachcombing
• exploring the creatures of the intertidal and subtidal zone (sea stars, crabs, anemones, snails, sculpins, shellfish, sea cucumbers)
• hotsprings
• fishing
• nature exploration with the naturalist
• kayaking
• zodiac rides
• learning about the ship and navigation from the crew
• exploring villages

Also:

help steer the ship

climb the bowsprit

meet Haida elders

photograph humpback whales

speak with researchers in the field

Maple Leaf Adventures has strong relationships with leaders and scientists along the coast to give you a top- quality experience.

Peak Wildlife, Nature, Culture
Each trip is in a peak area for nature, wildlife and cultural experiences, and each is based on Maple Leaf’s internationally recognized adventure cruises.

Trips Customized to You
Our guides will use their expert area knowledge and relationships to tailor the trip to your group’s interests. From hikes to lakes for swimming, to hours viewing and listening to whales, to sailing the schooner Maple Leaf as a team, there are many choices.

Time Away from Everyday Distractions
For decades, family and friends groups have told us how a trip on the Maple Leaf provides a magical time together, away from the distractions of everyday life.

2011 Family and Friends Adventure Cruises and Private Charters

Haida Gwaii / Queen Charlotte Is.
Jul 30 - Aug 7, Aug 8 - 16
Rated the #1 national park in N. Amercia by National Geographic

This archipelago of 140 islands is home to abundant marine life and the powerful Haida culture. Whales, seabirds, and other marine mammals are numer- ous. Rainforests tower over the remote beaches. Hot springs and sailing are highlights. And visits to Haida village sites, modern and ancient, are unforgettable.

See the trip description or brochure for details, maps, and photos.

Or call us anytime to discuss how Maple Leaf Adventures can make your group's trip special.

• July 30 - Aug. 7, Aug. 8 - 16, 9 days/8 nights
• $36,400 + sustainability fee & tax for 6-8 people.
• For additional people, contact us.
• Book or Inquire about this trip

Whales & Totems Adventure
Aug 20 - 26, Aug 28 - Sep 3
There is a special place to which the family lines of northern resident killer whales return each year. It is the Broughton Archipelago, a network of 200+ islands and protected channels beside BC’s fjords. The area is also popular with other cetaceans: dolphins, porpoises, humpback and minke whales. On this trip you’ll sail and cruise the channels, view and listen to the whales, visit remote floating com- munities, walk the rainforest, and visit First Nations village sites, new and old, including a private guided tour of U’mista cultural centre.

See the trip description or brochure for details, maps, and photos.

Or call us anytime to discuss how Maple Leaf Adventures can make your group's trip special.

• Aug. 20-26, Aug. 28-Sep. 3, 7 days/6 nights
• $26,600 + sustainability fee & tax for 6-8 people.
• For additional people, contact us.
• Book or Inquire about this trip

Desolation Sound Adventure
Aug 20 - 26, Aug 28 - Sep 3
Desolation Sound is one of the world’s most popular cruising areas. Hundreds of sun-warmed islands lie in a protected sea between Vancouver Island and the snowy peaks of the Coast mountain range. Hiking. swimming, beachcombing, sailing, fishing and wildlife viewing are all highlights of trips in Desolation Sound, as is the opportunity to visit island villages that are home to artists and craftspeople.

Ask about combining this trip with a Whales & Totems trip for a “best of” adventure cruise.

• Aug. 20-26, Aug. 28-Sep. 3, 7 days/6 nights
• $26,600 + sustainability fee & tax for 6-8 people.
• For additional people, contact us.
• Book or Inquire about this trip

Looking for Different Dates?
We have several trips in summertime set aside for family/friends private charters. They are outlined here. If you’d like to go at a different time, you can reserve one of our other scheduled trips. See each trip bro- chure for details. Advance planning is required!

What Guests Have Said

“You’ve not only met my expectations - you’ve exceeded them. People speak of ‘the trip of a lifetime’ and on behalf of my family I would like to say our days together have been that.”
- Skip Elworthy, Ontario

“That was my first time to Haida Gwaii! It was the best trip I’ve ever been on! Even better than Disneyland!
– Samantha Patrick, age 8, B.C.