Vancouver Island Yacht Charters

Nanaimo

We have been asked on several occasions how we came to know and eventually purchase our charter company on the island. So here is our story – in Ian’s own words: My deep sleep was interrupted by a phone ringing. I cast my eye across to the alarm clock on my bed side table; it was 3 o’clock in the morning. Who could be ringing at this ungodly hour? It was one of those calls that all with aging parents dread. It was my very shocked mother with the worst possible news, the fog of being deeply asleep cleared in an instant as I digested the news that my father had suffered a massive heart attack and had died very suddenly in the middle of their daily walk around their suburb of Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. Within one hour my wife Shari had a very stunned me booked on a fight from Athens to Vancouver departing that afternoon, twenty four hours later I landed in Vancouver and two hours after that I was on board a ferry bound for Nanaimo. I had heard at great lengths from my parents all about the beauty of BC and felt consumed with guilt […]

Nanaimo

As some folks may know, before immigrating to Canada, we built a 40’ Endurance Ketch called “Baraka” which became our home at sea for 10 years….. An excerpt from the book (in progress) “Are we East or West of the Equator?” – by Ian MacPherson! Hopefully your fishing while chartering along our spectacular coast will be far more peaceful!…………. ‘This was an important activity on board, one that broke the monotony of the day. To achieve this, we were armed with a large Penn Senator fishing reel onto which was wound 1000 ft of 200lb test braided nylon ending with a 40 ft wire trace and one of my famous handmade lures. (from the aluminium bladder of a cardboard wine box!) This was all handily mounted solidly on to the top rail of the pushpit. To say that this lacked finesse was the understatement of the day. When we set off on our trip to sail the world Shari and I had never fished a day in our collective lives. Clueless was the second understatement worth noting. Despite this minor issue we proceeded to fish! Our first fish was announced by the snarling ratchet of the reel as a fish […]

Nanaimo

Built on the traditional lands of the Snuneymuxw First Nation.  The city is on the east coast of south-central Vancouver Island. Since Nanaimo incorporated in 1874, it’s been a coal town, a timber town, a mill town and a tourist destination. Today, the leading sectors are in health care, technology and construction. The Snuneymuxw Territory is located in the centre of Coast Salish territory on the eastern coast of Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, and the Fraser River in the Canadian province of British Columbia. The Snuneymuxw territory encompasses one of the most productive and resource rich areas at the heart of the Salish Sea. Nanaimo is known as the Harbour City of Vancouver island.   It derives its identity from the wealth of recreation activities available – many of which are centred around the harbour situated at the centre of the city. It has a wealth of history thanks to the marina, which is also of great interest to the many visitors that make the journey over to the island every year. Travellers can try their hand at a number of activities including hiking, boating, biking, kayaking, scuba diving and snorkelling which all form part of the fabric of this […]

Nanaimo

In our series on sailing school hints and tips – this week we are going to be looking at picking up a mooring buoy! Even the most expert sailors amongst us will have had moments of dropping that mooring buoy over and over again! Read our sailing school guide and remind yourself of the best method; Check your marks…. Mooring buoys are most likely attached to a chain that runs along the ground on the sea bed, which in turn is attached to a heavy anchor of some form, buried in the sea bed. The buoy itself needs to be heavy enough to support the heavy riser chain that allows the buoy to sit on the service, so you will often find a ring and a pick up line that sits on top of the buoy, that you will then attach your yacht to. Get Set…. So when you are ready to pick up the mooring buoy, first begin by looking around the area and checking your chart and almanac to see which buoys you have permission to use. Then when you are ready to make your approach get your boat hook and mooring lines ready. Aim your boat into […]

Nanaimo

Now it is a well-known fact that the great outdoors is good for you – body and soul. Getting away from the humdrum of day to day life, and getting back to basics is a dream for some. But here at Nanaimo yacht charter we can help make this a reality. There are a number of scientific studies which prove nature adventures to be good for your health and well being, and so what are you waiting for? Get out there and make 2017 the year you get back to nature, and take yourself on a yachting adventure in Nanaimo, Vancouver. Amazing scenery whilst enjoying the challenge of sailing. A recent study in the UK showed that ‘doing something wild’ every day for 30 days significantly improves overall health and happiness. So imagine how happy you could feel on board one of our yachts surrounded by the beautiful Canadian mountains, waters, and forests. The study also showed that benefits of a spell outdoors are sustained for long afterwards, meaning your Nanaimo experience will keep you going for some time. Being part of nature has shown to improve self-esteem and confidence as well as mood. Well luckily for you, you don’t […]

Nanaimo

Check out our ” Special offers” page – call today to book remaining available weeks on some fabulous sail and power boats info@nanaimoyachtcharters.com Toll Free 1.877.754.8601

Nanaimo

The readers of Condé Nast Traveler have named Vancouver Island a winner in the magazine’s 21st Annual Readers, Choice Awards, and following close in the heels is the Gulf Islands at fourth for North American Islands, but tops for Scenery. The awards are derived from the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Survey, the largest independent poll of consumers’ preferences. Over 32,000 readers voted this year. In addition to the top North American Island rankings, several properties from the Vancouver Island region are also tops in various categories. Among the 30 top Canadian Hotels, the Hotel Grand Pacific takes top spot. Following close behind is Sooke Harbour House (3), Magnolia Hotel & Spa (7), Hastings House (12), Fairmont Empress (14), Victoria Regent Hotel (17), Aerie Resort & Spa (23), and the Brentwood Bay Lodge & Spa (24). Among the top 20 Canadian Resorts, the Wickaninnish Inn and Long Beach Lodge take 2nd and 3rd space respectively, with Poets Cove Resort & Spa on the list at 16th. Also listed in the top Cities in the Americas is the City of Victoria sharing the third spot with Quebec City. “We are very pleased with these results that include so many properties throughout […]

Nanaimo

We are very excited to have the Redpaddle ISUP’s available to rent with your charter this season. Redpaddle ISUP are the #1 selling inflatable paddle board in the world, and the market leader in design, construction and performance. The boards are pumped to 18-25 PSI making them perform like a epoxy board but having the convenience of an inflatable board. Some neat features of the Redpaddle: The boards are compact for use on charter as they come in a backpack and therefore easy to stow aboard. They come with the Red Paddle Co Titan Pump – more paddling less pumping! – inflation time: only 4-6 minutes Call to reserve with your next charter See a short video of these boards in action https://vimeo.com/110982121

Nanaimo

Our powerboat ” Blue Skies” has just been approved for extra discounts – call right away to secure your charter for this limited period  

Nanaimo

Are you a an experienced sailor or power boater with advanced skills who enjoys teaching others? Becoming an instructor could be for you.   Prerequisites:     The candidate must: 1. Age 18 or older; 2. Achievement of Coastal Navigation Certification and Advanced Cruising Standard Certifications; 3. Have at least 2 years of skippering experience on power or sailboats; 4. Have Red Cross or St. John Ambulance Standard First Aid Certificate in CPR level B or higher; 5. Have PCOC card.   For more information, please send your skipper’s resume and a letter of interest to sailingschool@nanaimoyachtcharters.com