Bellingham, Washington
For a yacht charter in British Columbia arrive and board in Bellingham, Washington in Bellingham Harbor. After settling in depart immediately for Mackaye Harbor, an anchorage at the south end of Lopez Island – about a 25 mile trip. Once anchored, explore the many islands less than two miles from the anchorage by ship’s tender for the beginning of your exploration of the water, coast and islands of British Columbia. Overnight.
British Columbia
Enjoy breakfast before cruising to Victoria. After clearing into Canada, explore the capital of British Columbia. There are museums to visit including the Maritime Museum in Bastion Square. For shoppers, the best browsing can be done on Government Street and Johnson Street contains offbeat shops housed in restored heritage buildings. Stay overnight in Victoria.
Maple Bay
After breakfast, steam to Port Sidney. After exploring Port Sidney, depart for Maple Bay, with a fishing line set, a scenic and well protected location to anchor for the evening.
In the morning sail through the Stuart Channel to the town of Chemainus. This unique town is a good place to explore by foot. In 1982, to keep its heritage alive, Chemainus invited well-known artists to transform the small mill town into the world’ largest outdoor gallery. The walls of local buildings are painted with award-winning murals. And for those that really want to relax, horse and buggy rides are offered from the lower to the upper town and back.
Cruise through Dodd Narrows, 13 miles from Chemainus, enroute to Nanaimo. This historic mining town has undergone a transformation; its waterfront is now a 2-½ mile network of public waterways, parks, restaurants and shops. It is an easy walk up Bastion Street to the Old City Quarter where restored brick and stone buildings line Fitzwilliam, Wesley and Selby streets. These heritage buildings house boutiques and outdoor cafes. This is also a great port from which to head off on a private guided fishing trip for interested anglers. Overnight.
After breakfast, depart for Gorge Harbor in Desolation Sound. After arriving in the secluded anchorage enjoy the solitude or explore the various coves. This is a great location to watch for wild and marine life including bald eagles and otters. The Salish Indians, who once inhabited this harbor, used the caverns on the east side for burial caves. Enjoy the day at Gorge Harbor or cruise to another cove to enjoy the warmer waters offered in Desolation Sound.
Depart Gorge Harbor or a nearby anchorage to make the transit to Campbell River where guests will disembark.
