Vancouver Island Yacht Charters

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

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

Our Sailing Blog will be live soon

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 […]