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Craft Beer and Culinary Cruise
A Beer Tasting Tour With a Twist
With a respected brewing historian as your guide, you’ll learn about the tasting, food pairing, brewing techniques of 50 top BC craft beers, as well as fascinating social history of the past 150 years in brewing here.
Aboard the classic tugboat Swell, you’ll cruise the southern Gulf Islands and Vancouver Island region of British Columbia, Canada, going ashore frequently for tastings, nature walks and wildlife viewing. You’ll get a sense of how BC’s large-scale nature is reflected in the culture of the place and even in the region’s beer.
Itinerary Details
- Ships: Swell (Converted Tugboat)
- Duration: 5 Days
- Ports: Nanaimo, Sidney
Craft Beer and Culinary Cruise
- Swell
- 5 Days
This is a Sample Itinerary: As with all expedition cruises, the itinerary may change based on weather, wildlife activity, and interests of the guests. This itinerary is to give you a general idea of the trip.
Day 1: Kick off this beer tasting tour with a sample of tasters and lecture with B.C. micro-brew “elder” Paul Hadfield. Cruising the southern Gulf Islands. Introduction to world of beers, brewing history. Seabird viewing from ship. Anchorage: Russell Island
Day 2: Morning shore walk on Russell Island, exploring the nature of the islands and their varied history. Cruising through Gulf Islands and Samsun Narrows. Cruising to Nanaimo. Nanaimo History. Continue this beer tasting tour by enjoying a pairing of food and beer. Private brewery tour and tasting at Longwood Brew Pub. Anchorage: Protection Island
Day 3: Mid-Vancouver Island’s Brew History & Off the Beaten Track: Wildlife and Secret Islets. Pubs, saloons and prohibition. Continue the beer tasting tour at Wolf Brewery for tastings in the Nanaimo area. Cruising, wildlife viewing and exploration at Galiano Island, Polier Pass, Mayne Island. Includes wildlife viewing, cruising, shore walks, optional kayaking at the outer islands.
Day 4: Scenic al fresco picnic and beer tasting at Saturna Island. Cruising Boundary Pass, with possible wildlife viewing. Gulf Islands Brewery beer tasting tour. Dinner aboard with Salt Spring Island feast. Anchorage: Salt Spring Island.
Day 5: Breakfast and farewell preparations. Disembark, noon, at Sidney.
Departures
Find your ideal trip dates below. All prices are listed in Canadian dollars.
| Date | Price | # of Nights | Start Port | End Port | Ship |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 27 – 31, 2025 | $4,100, $4,550, $5,550 | 4 | Nanaimo | Sidney | Swell |
| October 28 – November 1, 2026 | $4,230, $4,710, $5,750 | 4 | Sidney | Sidney | Swell |
* Prices are all-inclusive, and subject to a $200 sustainability fee per person. The trips in Canada are subject to 5% federal tax. See “Included in Our Price” for the exceptional value included. Fares are per person, based on double occupancy, and in Canadian dollars. For solo travellers, there is no single supplement on the SV Maple Leaf trips (shared accommodation), and there is a 50% single supplement on the MV Swell and Cascadia trips. For full-ship private charters, please contact us. Payment and cancellation policy is available online, in the brochures and by speaking with us. We welcome your contact.
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Solo Traveller Special
We’re waving the single supplement!
Don’t miss this great opportunity for solo travellers, in their own cabin with no single supplement, to discover the rich indigenous culture and natural wonder of the BC coast!
Terms and Conditions
Subject to availability and booking limits on select sailings, as designated by Maple Leaf Adventures. Available in category 1 cabins on Cascadia and category 1 or 2 cabins on Swell (limited availability). Not combinable with other offers, except pay-in-full and standard back-to-back trips. For 2025, eligible departures include the Salish Sea Expedition with Canadian Geographic (Apr 18-22, MV Swell); Desolation Sound (Apr 25-29, Apr 30-May 4, MV Swell; May 1-5, MV Cascadia); Haida Gwaii (May 9-16, May 16-23, MV Cascadia); Whales & Wild Isles (Jul 28-Aug 5, Aug 6-14, Aug 16-20, MV Cascadia); Great Bear Rainforest (Aug 29-Sep 5, Oct 9-16, MV Cascadia); Desolation Sound & Fjords of BC (Oct 20-27, MV Cascadia; Oct 19-26, MV Swell); Craft Beer Cruise (Oct 27-31, MV Swell); and Wines & Islands (Oct 29-Nov 2, MV Cascadia). For 2026, eligible departures include the Salish Sea Expedition with Canadian Geographic (Apr 14-18, MV Swell); Desolation Sound (Apr 21-25, Apr 25-30, MV Swell; May 3-7, MV Cascadia); and Haida Gwaii (May 11-18, May 18-25, MV Cascadia).
Experience Our Craft Brewing Scene
See our Craft Beer and Culinary Cruise through the eyes of our guests.
What People Say
See what our guests have to say about our Craft Beer and Culinary Cruise.
Highlights
Discover Stories of the Regions Brewing and Social History
Beers come from within 100 miles and are expertly paired with every meal and snack—plus wildlife you’ll find on no other tasting tour.
Related Stories
Follow our coastal expeditions with notes from the field.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to your questions about our Craft Beer and Culinary Cruise. Refer to our Frequently Asked Questions for more general trip and booking information.
Taxi services are readily available from Nanaimo Airport (YCD), Departure Bay or Duke Point. Contact information for taxi companies is provided to you before your tour, should you need to call the taxi upon your arrival. At the end of your tour your captain will arrange a taxi pick up at the marina.
Our schedule is designed to accommodate incoming flights on the day of departure and most guests will arrive on the day. But, if you would like to arrive a little early to avoid the stress of possible flight delays, you will find recommendations for local hotels and activities in your welcome aboard package.
Located in a rain shadow, the Gulf Islands have a very unique semi-Mediterranean climate that keeps the region drier than the rest of the BC coast. Autumn continues to be a mild time of year with beautiful changing colours. Plus, in the south, there is often more sun than you would expect. The west coast truly comes alive in autumn. The west coast truly comes alive in autumn. When packing for your trip, consider bringing layers of clothing that you can easily add or remove to adjust to changing temperatures. A lightweight waterproof jacket or raincoat is advisable to protect against any potential rainfall. For the most accurate and up-to-date weather information, it’s recommended to check local forecasts before your trip.
During the fall season, migrating birds stop on the beaches on their journey south along the Pacific Flyway. Spawning salmon congregate among the islands before running up the mighty Fraser River, and marine mammals including seals, sea lions and orcas feast on the plenty. Exploring the islands’ trails and shorelines might also reveal other fascinating creatures like deer, raccoons, and various marine species. It’s important to remember that even with the local knowledge of our guiding crew, sightings of specific wildlife are never a guarantee. Visit with an open mind and see what the region has to offer.
Not necessarily. While the focus is on craft beer, the cruise also offers insights into culinary experiences, nature walks, wildlife viewing, and the region’s culture. There’s something for everyone to appreciate, regardless of their personal preferences.
