A rare opportunity in our schedule has enabled us to add a mini Gulf Islands cruise this fall, from Sunday, Oct. 21 to Wednesday, Oct. 24.
Perfect if your schedule or budget doesn’t stretch to a longer trip, this mini-trip gives you all the benefits of a full-service Maple Leaf sail cruise.
Trip Description
The Gulf Islands, on the southwest coast of BC, are famous for their great cruising, natural beauty, mild weather and unique villages.
Recently, many sites in the Gulf Islands, including small, off-the-beaten-track islands and islets, were protected in the new Gulf Islands National Park Reserve.
Step aboard the classic, 92-foot schooner Maple Leaf to cruise to these remote islands and see what most people never have the opportunity to see: wildlife colonies, old farm settlements, shell midden beaches, spectacular vistas and a personal odyssey into the natural history of the islands.
Even people who have lived on the coast for years, and who have visited some Gulf Islands villages by ferry, tell us this is a spectacular experience of the islands they had never imagined existed.
How We Travel
We cruise with up to 8 guests and an expert crew that includes naturalist, wildlife guides, and gourmet chef. You’ll go ashore several times a day for between one and three hours, to explore and learn about the natural and some of the cultural history of the islands.
You’ll see the islands the best way to see them: spread out before you in a panorama on the water.
Activities include beachcoming, wildlife viewing, forest walks, natural history, sailing the Maple Leaf, optional kayaking, cruising.
Dates and All-inclusive Price
- Oct. 21 to Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2012
- 4 days / 3 nights
- $1390* plus sustainability fee ($100) and tax.
- *Includes all cruising and accommodations, fine meals and snacks by our chef, all beverages including wine with dinner, all shore excursions, activities, and guiding, and use of gear on board including kayaks.
Sample Itinerary
As with all expedition cruises, the itinerary can change based on weather, wildlife activities, interests of the guests and other factors. This is meant to give you the idea of a typical trip.
Day 1 Board at Sidney, BC. Cruising and seabird colony viewing. Cruising to National Park Reserve at Saturna Island for the night.
Day 2 Dry rainforest, rocky bluff ecosystem walk with extreme picnic overlooking spectacular view of islands and channels. Wildlife viewing. Cruising through food rich waters and seabird viewing. Anchor at small outer islands. Shore walk, natural and cultural history hike, beach combing and free time to walk, read, kayak, paint, etc.
Day 3 Marine mammal haul out and marine mammal viewing and natural history. Sailing the Maple Leaf in Georgia Strait. Even rainforest walk and shell midden beach exploration, including recent history and intertidal life exploration.
Day 4 Morning cruise, shore walk, cruising to Sidney for disembarkation.
How to Book Your Trip
Telephone us at 250-386-7245 or 1-888-599-5323 or send us a booking request using this inquiry form. Alternatively you can email us at info [at] mapleleafadventures.com
Ask Us for More Details
We’re happy to chat with you and share more details. Please contact us at:
Telephone us at 250-386-7245 or 1-888-599-5323 or send us a booking request using this inquiry form. Alternatively you can email us at info [at] mapleleafadventures.com
Download the Brochure
You can view the Gulf Islands, BC, trip brochure here.
View a slide show from the trip
You can view the Gulf Islands, BC, slide show here.
