Vancouver Island Yacht Charters

Nanaimo

Sample Itinerary for the week long summer camp Day One: Sail from Stones Marina in Nanaimo to Mark Bay and back to Nanaimo. Depart at 9 a.m. and return 5pm. During this day the “Capable Crew” will cover safety on board, parts of the sailboat, parts of the sail, chart reading, tacking and anchoring. Day Two: Sail from Stones Marina in Nanaimo to Snake Island and back to Nanaimo Depart at 9 am and return at 5pm. During the day sail the “Capable Crew” will learn about the various boat safety equipment, more buoy information, rules of the road, tides, some points of sail ,the chip log and two of the major knots used on sail boats. Day Three: Sail from Stones Marina in Nanaimo to Hammond Bay and back to Nanaimo. Depart at 9 a.m. and return 5pm During the days sail the “Capable Crew” will study and practice the techniques of chart plotting, reefing the sails, using the hand compass and reading the currents. The “Capable Crew” will also practice rowing techniques. Two more important knots will be covered on this day Day Four – our “sail away” day Depart at 9 a.m. and ETA at Silva Bay, […]

Nanaimo

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Nanaimo

Information from Transport Canada website: National Pleasure Craft Operator Competency Program (PCOC Exam) Overview The Competency of Operators of Pleasure Craft Regulations require all operators of pleasure craft fitted with any type of motor and used for recreational purposes to carry proof of competency on board.* Proof of competency( PCOC Exam) indicates the boater has a basic level of boating safety knowledge required for safe recreational boating. In the past, anyone of any age could operate a recreational boat without any minimum boating safety knowledge, experience or training. These requirements were introduced in 1999 in response to boating deaths and injuries, with the goal of improving safety on Canadian waterways through education and training. Operator Card (PCOC Course) – FAQ Do I need to take a PCOC course before I write the test?   Taking a boating safety course is strongly recommended regardless of age or experience. Why take a boating safety course? To improve the safety of all boaters and the boating environment. To get your Pleasure Craft Operator Card as required by the regulation. To learn about your responsibility. To make your boating experience enjoyable for everyone. What is covered in a course? The course covers a full […]

Nanaimo

Nanaimo is an ecological treasure trove of life. The beauty of the region and its wildlife is a major draw to many who embark on a boating holiday in the area. And this is why we all must work together to protect the natural environment from several human and non-human threats. There are a number of wildlife reserves, nature parks, and a lot of different tour companies that operate within the Vancouver Island Region. There are also a variety of protection groups and environmental steward groups who work to ensure the natural diversity and beauty is protected.This is important work. Without groups like this it could be said that habitats would be in great decline, and there would be less for travellers to see! As we know, nature and its inhabitants evolve, grow and move to suit the changing environment. Across the region we can now see a number of non-native species. The American Bullfrog, the Rock Dove, the Snapping Turtle, and the North American Opossum are some particularly intriguing examples. These new beautiful beasties are protected under the Wildlife Act. There are also a number of wildlife rehabilitation programmes for indigenous species who are under threat from manmade habitat […]

Nanaimo

Winter holidays are arguably the best, wherever you come from in the world, the run up to Christmas can often be a little bit of a drag, what better way to enter the spirit of the season than a holiday in Vancouver. Or better still, spending Christmas aboard one of Nanaimo Yacht Charter’s beautiful boats, exploring the region and all it has to offer at this time of the year. The weather at this time of year is just what you need to get you feeling Christmassy, with flurries of snow and temperatures ranging between 6 to 10 degrees Celsius. You will undoubtedly enjoy days of beautiful sunshine, which brings out the gorgeous white of the snow surrounding you as the sunbeams dance across the landscape. There is no scenery in the world which compares to that of British Columbia at this time of year, and nowhere in the world feels more Christmassy either! Picture the scene… you and your family are on board one of our luxury yachts, the radio is on, playing your favourite Christmas tune, the kids are snuggled under the blanket watching the waves crash by (and keeping an eye out for the whales of course!), […]

Nanaimo

On a Vancouver boat charter you might not really know what to expect of Canadian cuisine, it might be you are just thinking of the stereotypical crispy bacon and sweet maple syrup! However on a Vancouver boat charter there really is a plethora of quirky culinary traditions to enjoy, which the Canadians are very proud of. The Canadians do in fact have plenty of imagination and an endless variety of ingredients across the country that they are very proud of from the smoked deli meats in Montreal to world famous potatoes from Prince Edward’s Island. So embrace the variety of cuisine and huge choice of local foods on offer to you on your Vancouver boat charter and enjoy! Are there any ‘Canadian’ foods? When does food actually become ‘Canadian’? Well it helps if the food has actually been invented in Canada rather than imported. It has been said that the Quebecers invented ‘poutine’ a popular local food, and popular in Toronto is ‘sushi pizza’ but whilst this strictly speaking isn’t a Canadian food, it has definitely been embraced wholeheartedly by the Canadian sushi lovers! Eat local Canadians are big fans of embracing all things local, and they also like to […]

Nanaimo

Whilst boating in the beautiful waters around Vancouver Island and Nanaimo with young ones, there is the possibility that you will need more than just the stunning scenery, beautiful marine life, and a turn at the wheel to amuse them. For a successful trip, you need to prepare for the worst… a bored child aboard your vessel. Here we will look at some of the best water activities for you to undertake with your young ones whilst holidaying on one of our yachts. 1. Boating & Sailing No matter what age your young shipmates are, there will be a degree of sailing you can teach them. There is a lot to sailing a yacht, and there are bits and pieces you can get them to do to assist you. Children and young people love feeling needed, and feeling useful, as well as feeling a sense of responsibility for something. So why not use that to your advantage? You could teach them to tie knots, get them to tie down or tidy away any loose items on board, maybe even get them to use the radio. Kids love binoculars, so you could make them look out for an hour or so […]

Nanaimo

On our 14 day Desolation Sound package, you get to charter your boat through to the stunning Princess Louisa National Park – a gem of the Nanaimo region. The Princess Louisa National Park was established on July the 24th, 1965 – over fifty years ago. It spans 964 hectares and boasts mountains, forests, and intricate shorelines – perfect for waterborne exploration. Glaciers from thousands of years ago helped form the majestic granite gorges that frame the park. Mountains tipped with snow emerge out of the sea and stretch to heights of over 2000 meters. The oceans surrounding this impressive landscape could be mistaken for a lake due to their placidity. The famous Princess Louisa Inlet do move with the tides, but currents are virtually non-existent except for the Malibu Rapids that create the entrance to the inlet. The inlet is often referred to as Suivoolot by the natives, which translates to mean sunny and warm.The waters in this part of the park which is almost completed enclosed, are around 1000 feet deep, and half a mile wide. The marine side of the park is managed by the Princess Louisa International Society in cooperation with BC (British Columbia) Parks. The society […]

Nanaimo

If you are planning on doing some sailing in Vancouver this year and not sure when the best time of year to go is, well read on to discover more about the climate in Canada and what you might expect during the different seasons while sailing in Vancouver. Canadian Climate Canada is often thought of as having cold weather and snow, but in actual fact the climate in Canada is as diverse as it’s landscape! There are 4 distinct seasons, throughout the country, and daytime summer temperatures can reach 35 degrees Celsius, and the thermostat can drop as low as -25 degrees in the winter! Generally mild moderate temperatures are common during the Spring and Fall. Out on the prairies in the summer it can be very hot and dry, but on the coast if you are sailing in Vancouver it can be milder, whilst the centre of the country can get very humid. Across the country spring is generally pleasantly warm, whilst Autumn can be crisp and cool, but the landscape is stunning with the the fall colours of orange and red bringing to life the landscape. Vancouver Island Vancouver tends to enjoy a maritime climate; which is typical […]

Nanaimo

A short video on Nanaimo highlighting why it is such a great place from which to start your sailing charter