Sailing Tours
You will immerse yourself in an experience like never before, calming the mind while heightening the senses, disengaging from the busy, man-made world to instead connect with the natural one. These trips will leave you with an enduring impression of awe and respect for our natural world, and a sense of gratitude for the experience.
duration &
start/end point
5/7-days & 4/6-nights. Cortes Island, + Quadra Island* or Lund*.
includes
Sailing excursion with instruction aboard a Beneteau Oceanis 400. High-quality meals, full bedding & towels. More time to relax compared to a structured course.
5-day or 7-day private trip
$1475 CAD/day. Up to 4 guests. Private forward-cabin with private washroom & private aft-cabin with shared washroom.
ADD A SAIL CANADA COURSE
Include the Sail Canada – Basic Cruising course for $200/person.
Available dates - 2025:
- June 2-6 (Available)
- June 16-20 (Available)
- July 21-25 (Available)
- August 4-8 (Waitlist)
- August 18-22 (Waitlist)
- August 30 - September 3 (Available)
- September 8-12 (Available)
overview
This private sailing trip takes you deep into the unique natural surroundings of Desolation Sound over either five or seven days. You will have the sailboat all to yourself and be truly able to experience sailing and how it is to explore these wilder parts of British Columbia.
You will feel like a true explorer as we sail, explore, and anchor our way through Desolation Sound, stopping at Prideaux Haven, sailing up through scenic Homfray Channel to the mouth of spectacular Toba Inlet, a deep fjord complete with snow-capped mountains that we’ll explore, and then travelling back through naturally beautiful East Redonda, West Redonda, and Cortes Islands.
This skippered instructional charter is designed especially for one to two couples or a family. While it is not a five-star hotel or a luxury cruise, it promises to be an incredible adventure that showcases the essence of cruising and sailing in British Columbia. You will receive customized instructions on basic sailing techniques, tailored to your preferences, with ample hands-on time participating in the handling and sailing of our 40-foot sailboat, Mariah. The trip is also an excellent ‘mile builder’ for experienced sailors who prefer the peace of mind and a more relaxing time sailing with an experienced skipper aboard. This multi-day and night trip will allow you to fully immerse yourself in the beauty of the ocean and deeply enjoy the unique natural surroundings of this area, relaxing your senses as you live on the sea.
Throughout the trip, as you sail, learn, relax, and explore the shores, beaches, and forest trails, you will be amazed by breathtaking views, where mountains rise right out of the ocean, forest trails reveal pristine waterfalls, and small islands delight with their unique landscape. Encounters with ocean wildlife, the experience of picking your own shellfish for the evening’s dinner, magical phosphorescence at night, and spectacular sunsets will create unforgettable memories and leave you with a feeling of gratitude for our oceans.
Private cabins, meals & amenities
Our sailboat is a comfortable, modern, 40-foot sailing vessel (Beneteau Oceanis 400), with all the required amenities and safety equipment.
You will have at your disposal a forward double-bed private cabin with a private washroom (head), and if you need room for additional guests, they will be accommodated in the double-bed private aft cabin with a shared head. The price includes all meals, which will also be a highlight of the trip. These are prepared with care, using mostly organic and local high-quality products, centred around a vegan, vegetarian, and seafood cuisine and even include delicious desserts. See our FAQ page for a Sample Menu.
*For this private trip, we can optionally start and/or end the tour at Quadra Island or Lund for an additional fee of $600 CAD.
Sample itinerary
day 1
Our trip will begin at 10 am from Cortes Island. Complimentary pickup is available from the Whaletown ferry terminal. Alternatively, guests can optionally choose to start their trip from Quadra Island or Lund.
We will sail around 25 nautical miles, taking a break for lunch, before anchoring at our destination for the evening in picturesque Prideaux Haven. Although the winds are always different, we will sail as much as possible for beauty and sustainability. Everyone will have a chance at the helm and the opportunity to experience the principles of sailing in practice. After dinner at anchor, you can relax, swim, or explore the pristine natural shoreline with a zodiac inflatable.
Relaxing on deck, in your private cabin, or outside in the hammock while the boat gently rocks is a fantastic feeling and provides the best night’s sleep.
day 2
The next day, after breakfast and a great coffee, we will sail north through scenic Homfray Channel to the mouth of spectacular Toba Inlet, enjoying picturesque views of the snow-capped Coast Mountain range along the way. While sailing, we will learn the finer points of sail trim and practice our sailing maneuvers as a team.
We spend the afternoon and night at Toba Wilderness Marina, a uniquely special small-sized marina accessible only by water. Nestled at the foot of steep mountains in a picturesque bay at the mouth of Toba Inlet, it offers unparalleled mountain views in every direction.
Here, you can explore pristine forest trails where ancient Cedars and Douglas Firs can still be found, and you can get some exercise by taking a short hike up to a cascading waterfall.
day 3/3-4
On this day, we sail into and explore Toba Inlet, a deep fjord on the B.C. mainland surrounded by majestic snow-capped mountains, which serve as an imposing backdrop. Here, you will witness classic unspoiled west coast scenery, complete with waterfalls cascading down steep mountain slopes into the sea, tinted a fabulous shade of jade green by glacial waters feeding the inlet. We will search for orcas, sea lions, seals, and dolphins in the waters, and for foraging black bears and grizzly bears along the rugged shoreline.
In the evening, we anchor in Walsh Cove Marine Park on the east side of West Redonda Island and hop into our zodiac-inflatable to harvest our own mussels for the evening’s well-deserved dinner. We’ll also take the opportunity to admire First Nations petroglyphs on the towering granite cliffs surrounding our anchorage.
During the 7-day trip, we may opt to relax and spend an additional day in this pristine marine park, allowing us to fully absorb the beauty of Desolation Sound. Alternatively, we can further explore scenic Toba Inlet and hone our tacking and gybing sailing maneuvers.
day 4/5
On day four, or on day five of the 7-day trip, we sail around West Redonda Island and south to Teakerne Arm, located off Lewis Channel on the west side of the island, where Captain George Vancouver famously coined the name Desolation Sound for this area. Despite its name, this area is renowned for its natural beauty, abundant wildlife, and many opportunities for recreation.
At our anchorage, you will be able to enjoy an arbutus tree-lined hike to the 30-meter-high Cassel Waterfall, with a swim in Cassel Lake and opportunities to view wildlife, lush green forests, or simply row, swim, or relax in the bay.
Optionally, we may sail north and then south to Von Donop (Háthayim) Inlet, a long, narrow sheltered anchorage on the northwestern tip of Cortes Island and a beautiful marine park. At this peaceful destination, we can relish the evening with sights of wildlife, possibly including wolves, and the sounds of birds, or explore the inlet by dinghy, swim in the warm waters, and simply relax.
day 5/6-7
On the last day of the 5-day trip, we head back south through Lewis Channel, with a must-stop at whimsical Refuge Cove, a historic coastal village. Here, we can meet local artisans, explore an art gallery, or take a break for a pint or espresso.
Then, we sail into open waters towards our final destination, searching for humpback whales, orcas, and dolphins known to frequent these nutrient-rich waters as they gather here to feed annually.
If your trip concludes on Cortes Island, you will view First Nations petroglyphs as we sail beneath towering granite cliffs at the entrance to Gorge Harbour. We conclude our trip in the evening at 5 pm at the destination as requested by our guests.
On the 7-day trip, we sail to Teakern Arm as described above or instead visit Cortes Island. We search for humpback whales heading south through Sutil Channel, and in the evening, anchor in Mansons Bay marine park known for the most beautiful sunsets. On Cortes, we enjoy freshwater swimming in Hague Lake, marine wildlife viewing in Mansons Lagoon, or relax on the white-shell beach next to our sailboat. If the winds are right, we may sail instead in the open waters of the Salish Sea towards Mitlenatch Island.
Highlights
- Explore the wildest parts of Desolation Sound.
- Private sailing excursion only for your group.
- Visit Toba Inlet, Prideaux Haven, Teakerne Arm, Homfray Channel, Walsh Cove, Cortes Island, and Refuge Cove or Von Donop Inlet.
- Explore the unique natural surroundings of Desolation Sound on sea and land.
- Tailored introductory sailing instruction aboard a 40-foot sailboat.
- Includes all meals composed of organic, local, high-quality products.
- Sail on a Beneteau Oceanis 400, a comfortable, modern vessel, complete with all amenities and safety equipment.
- Relax your senses, be amazed by breathtaking views, and create unforgettable memories with sights of ocean wildlife.
Things to know
Click to read the details.
Tailored basic sailing instruction at the skipper or crew level, with plenty of hands-on experience. All meals, including breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and snacks, are included. We can accommodate some guest allergies. Full bedding and towels are provided. Marina fees are included. Safety equipment, such as PFDs, will be provided.
Guests ages 16 and up can attend, up to a maximum of 4 guests. Guests under 19 years of age must be accompanied by a guardian. The activity level is light to moderate and is appropriate for beginners. Guests may experience sun, wind, spray, rain, and temperatures consistent with the season in southern coastal British Columbia. Underway, the vessel may exhibit irregular motion due to wind and waves. We ask guests to refrain from smoking aboard the vessel.
Sporty, comfortable shoes with non-marking white/light soles. Water shoes and hiking shoes. Long and short pants depending on the weather. Long hiking pants, preferably waterproof. A spare warm sweater or fleece. A windproof and waterproof jacket. Thermal underwear. Spare clothes for 5 or 7 days. Hat or toque. Toiletries and personal items. Sunscreen. Reusable water bottle. Camera.
Fully refundable for the first 7 days after your booking so you can calmly plan your trip, if the booking is made more than 45 days before the trip departure time. Cancel more than 90 days before departure for a full refund minus a 5% booking fee. If you cancel between 90 and 30 days before departure, you will receive a 50% refund. No refund will be given if you cancel less than 30 days prior to the trip departure date. A 30% deposit is required at booking. Full payment is due 90 days before departure. A 100% refund will be given if we cannot sail due to extreme weather conditions or safety issues. See our Terms of Service for details.
The price rate shown is the cost per day, for trips lasting 5 or 7 days (4 or 6 nights). This rate covers accommodations for anywhere from one to a maximum of four guests. Prices are listed in Canadian dollars and are subject to a 5% Federal Goods and Services Tax (GST). All prices are subject to change without notice.
Join us and begin your sailing adventure
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We would be happy to discuss other options.
