Explore Vancouver Island’s Wild Coastlines on a Small Ship Nature Expedition
Victoria, BC is more than just a charming capital city—it’s the southern gateway to some of the most stunning coastal cruising in Canada. Nestled at the edge of the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve and the famed Inside Passage, it’s an ideal departure point for small ship adventures that delve into the region’s natural and cultural wonders.
Maple Leaf Adventures, born in Victoria in 1986, offers multi-day small ship cruises that blend natural beauty, local knowledge, and a deep respect for place. These are not your typical cruises—they’re small ship journeys for the curious and the connected, aboard ships that feel more like home than hotel.
Where Can You Go from Victoria?
Photo: Jeff Reynolds
The Gulf Islands are home to one of the largest concentrations of harbour seals and Steller sea lions in BC—often seen basking on sun-warmed rocks during spring and fall voyages.
Departing from Sidney, a town in the Greater Victoria area on the Saanich Peninsula (just a 30 minute drive from downtown Victoria), Maple Leaf Adventures offers a few exceptional itineraries:
Gulf Islands National Park Reserve Cruise
Sail through a maze of scenic straits and islands. Walk trails lined with wildflowers and Garry oaks, visit hidden beaches, and watch for seals, sea lions, and orcas. This is a spring and fall favourite and a stunning way to experience a quieter side of BC’s coast. This is a spring and fall favourite—view the Gulf Islands itinerary for details on departure dates and highlights.
Wines & Islands
A treat for wine lovers, this journey aboard Cascadia combines coastal cruising with curated tastings at Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands vineyards not available to the general public. Enjoy expertly prepared onboard cuisine paired with local wines on this first-of-its-kind Wines & Islands cruise, listed among Time Out’s Best Wine Vacations in North America.
Salish Sea with Canadian Geographic
In partnership with Canadian Geographic, this expedition takes you deep into the heart of the Salish Sea. Join a remarkable exploration of the Salish Sea and explore the coast with experts and storytellers as you explore rich marine ecosystems, vibrant coastal communities, and the cultural connections that shape this extraordinary region.
About the Cruises from Victoria, BC
Photo: Maple Leaf Adventures
Spotting a breaching orca is a bucket-list moment on our Victoria departures.
Since 1986, Maple Leaf Adventures has been offering multi-day expedition cruises from Victoria, BC aboard three unique ships: the classic 92-foot schooner Maple Leaf, the beautifully restored 1920s tugboat-turned-yacht Swell, and the 138-foot luxury catamaran Cascadia. With fewer than 8-24 passengers aboard, these nature-based journeys are immersive, personalized, and refreshingly off the beaten path.
Sail the remote Gulf Islands National Park or Vancouver Island’s Inside Passage. View wildlife including sea lions, porpoises and sea birds. Walk the dry rainforest, remote beaches, and scenic bluffs with the ship’s engaging naturalist.
Are These Cruises for Me?
Photo: Dan Batchelor
Spring in the Gulf Islands brings carpets of wildflowers and rare Garry oak ecosystems found nowhere else in Canada—perfect for shore excursions led by expert naturalists.
These cruises are for people who like nature and experiential holidays. They are engaging, personalized and an up-close experience of the beauty of the Victoria area. They are not for people who need an urban environment or the experience of a big ship cruise. If you’re looking for a floating city or nightlife at sea, this likely isn’t your style. But if you’d like to wake up to whales, hike quiet coastal trails, and enjoy thoughtfully prepared meals in good company—welcome aboard.
Maple Leaf Adventures’ commitment to excellence has earned recognition from some of the world’s top travel publications and organisations. This recognition includes National Geographic Traveler’s 50 Tours of a Lifetime, Frommer’s Best Travel Experience, National Geographic Adventure’s Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth, the Canadian Tourism Commission’s Signature Experiences Collection, and an honourable mention in the international Virgin Responsible Tourism Awards.
Additional Vancouver Island Cruises
Photo: Phil Stone
Vancouver Island’s rugged northwest coast is so remote, there are no roads in or out.
As well as cruises from Victoria, Maple Leaf Adventures offers wilderness expedition cruises that explore the full breadth of Vancouver Island’s coastal beauty, departing from towns like Nanaimo, Port Hardy and Campbell River—easily accessible by car, ferry, bus, or plane.
Vancouver Island’s Inside Passage
Journey north along Vancouver Island’s spectacular east coast. Over the course of a week, explore sheltered inlets, vibrant coastal communities, and rich intertidal zones—all with the support of a world-class crew and expert naturalists.
Vancouver Island’s Wild Side
Sail the remote and rugged northwest coast of Vancouver Island, where ancient forests meet pounding surf. Time here moves with the tides, and days are filled with beachcombing, world-class wildlife viewing, and cultural exploration in this scarcely visited part of the coast. Vancouver Island’s Wild Side offers a chance to see it all.
Whales and Totems
Sail through the sheltered waterways of the Broughton Archipelago, one of the best whale-watching destinations on the planet. Encounter humpbacks, orcas, and dolphins while learning about the region’s deep cultural history through Indigenous-led experiences on the Whales and Totems expedition.
Vancouver Island to the Great Bear Rainforest
Experience the dramatic transition from Vancouver Island’s coastal landscapes to the towering fjords and ancient rainforests of the Great Bear. Our Vancouver Island to Great Bear Rainforest cruise offers a sweeping narrative of BC’s central coast, with abundant wildlife and cultural insight along the way.
Desolation Sound
Calm waters, dramatic mountainscapes, and secluded anchorages define our expeditions through Desolation Sound. Paddle quiet coves, hike forested trails, and take in the serenity of the coast on our Desolation Sound itineraries, timed to align with peak wildlife seasons.
Get in touch for more information on Maple Leaf Adventures’ cruises that will elevate your Victoria or Vancouver Island holiday
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