APRIL
Vancouver Island’s Inside Passage by Sailing Ship
While the island highway has taken people up this popular, 300-mile-long island for decades, there are few opportunities to experience its length by water.
This April, Maple Leaf Adventures offers one: a 7-night Vancouver Island inside passage cruise by schooner from Victoria in the south to Port McNeill in the north.
The trip will explore the natural and cultural history of the area.
It includes sailing the neighbouring Gulf Islands, Discovery Islands and Broughton Archipelago, visiting coastal villages including Telegraph Cove (frontier history) and Alert Bay (First Nations), and viewing wildlife that can range from killer whales and bears to scores of migrating seabirds.
The Island has a rich cultural history, from the 10,000+ year old First Nations cultures, to European frontier culture, to its emergence as a modern culinary hotspot. The ship will also pass through Seymour Narrows, by Ripple Rock, site of the world’s largest non-nuclear explosion.
An expert naturalist is part of the crew. Food is prepared fresh each day by the ship’s chef.
Helping to sail the 92-foot ship (no experience required), frequent shore excursions, including nature walks, and camaraderie between guests and crew round out the experience.
Maple Leaf Adventures, a Canadian adventure cruise company, is rated one of the “best adventure travel companies on earth” by the editors of National Geographic Adventure in their most recent survey, 2009.
Dates & Prices: Apr. 17-24, 8 days/7 nights, Cdn $3080 per person all inclusive. Depart: Port Sidney, BC (outside Victoria). Return: Port McNeill, BC
View the details, sample itinerary and more photos for the Vancouver Island Inside Passage tour.
Info: www.MapleLeafAdventures.com or 1-888-599-5323 / +1-250-386-7245 or info@MapleLeafAdventures.com
