Vancouver Island Yacht Charters

Nanaimo

The Harbour City is known for many things; the beautiful waters, the astounding scenery, and awe-inspiring wildlife, but also… the mouth-watering food. In Nanaimo this yacht holiday, be sure to check out our top ten places to dine… Hilltop Bistro Head to Hilltop Bistro for Nanaimo’s best fine dining experience. The relaxed  yet, prestigious atmosphere really is quite inviting. The menu is comprised of food that is locally sourced, and recipes inspired about the natural surroundings. The chef often has a number of signature dishes on the menu, blending many exciting and surprising flavours together to delight the palate. The wine menu is impressive too. Fine Hilltop Bistro on Rutherford Road.   Marina’s Taverna Marina’s is the place to go for a good old pizza! They also have a fabulous array of Greek cuisine that is perfect for a light bite in the mid-afternoon. With numerous sharing platters, as well as tasty main courses, Marina’s is a lovely place to relax and graze. The beer here too is particularly good.Visit Marina’s on Terminal Avenue North.   Nori Japanese Restaurant No vacation is complete without sampling the local sushi. Nanaimo certainly has an abundance of fresh fish for the chef’s down […]

Nanaimo

Things are heating up in Nanaimo! This summer has so far been one of the hottest on records, with temperatures on Vancouver Island reaching all-time highs according to meteorologists. Now whilst it is great to enjoy the sunshine on board one of our many beautiful yachts, with such hot conditions it is also important to remember your key sun safety facts. In this article, we will talk you through staying safe in the sun. Throughout July, Environment Canada put in place a special weather warning for the mid island area, and this was due to there being a ridge of high pressure over the Island. Coastal temperatures, as usual, remained a little lower, but we saw temperatures of 30 degrees and over here at the coast, which soared to a staggering 40 plus degrees in land. These numbers are about 10 degrees hotter than the island average for this time of year, which tends to be around the 22/23 degree mark. Climate specialists are concerned by this hot anomaly, and resultantly are advising people to take precautions when out and about.

Nanaimo

With all this hot weather we have been having, we thought that here at Nanaimo Yacht Charters we would take a look at the best of the many beaches this beautiful island of ours has to offer. From Nanaimo beaches to Tofino beaches, let this article be your guide to beach days on Vancouver Island this summer.

Nanaimo

This Canada Day, celebrations were amped up around the country and in Nanaimo, to celebrate this great country’s 150th birthday. In this article we will run you through what happened this year, and also take a look back through the history to inform you on how we got to this point. This Year   Charitable Remit As well as all the merriment, there was a charitable undertone to the events. A number of not for profit groups celebrated gaining funds from the Nanaimo Foundation who delivered $70,000 in community grants. This number was around double what is usually donated to local causes, and the number of charities benefiting also increased. The Foundation doesn’t look for charities of a specific theme, instead they look at the sustainability of the project beyond the length of the grant, and an impact that can be measured beyond its length too. Between 1982 and 2015 the foundation has handed out almost 300 grants totalling a whopping $2.5 million dollars for charities in the region. This year, recipients included the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Vancouver Island Community Canoe Project, the Gabriola Arts Council and Historical Museum Society, the Ladysmith Resources Centre Affordable Housing Project, […]

Nanaimo

May saw Nanaimo residents embark on emergency preparedness week. This annual event, ran from May 7th to May 13th, and was instigated by city officials to ensure local people are prepared for the worst in terms of climate disasters such as a potential earthquake for example. Climate change is a real threat to waterside communities and businesses with rising sea levels, and an increasing amount of extreme and damaging weather being seen the world over. This week, Nanaimo residents had the chance to engage with educational programmes and materials to put into place their own emergency plan should the worst happen. Local people also had the opportunity to check their emergency plans with professionals to ensure that any previously made plans were still valid and robust. British Columbia has identified, in total, 56 potential threats, 22 of which are deemed serious. These threats range from fire (the biggest threat), to tsunamis (a somewhat lower threat). Over the years massive changes in infrastructure and investment in disaster proofing has reduced the risk for water related disasters. An awful lot of training and investment also goes into the emergency services to enable them to respond to whatever may occur. Emergency Program Manager […]

Nanaimo

About On our list of must visit places on a bareboat yacht charter around Vancouver Island, would have to be the stunning Princess Louisa Inlet on the British Columbia Coast. The inlet is approximately 8km (5 miles long), is almost completely enclosed and is never wider than 800 metres (½ mile) for it’s entire length. It can be found at the north eastern end of the Jervis Inlet, parts of the Inlet form the Princess Louisa Marine Provincial Park. Why visit? The Inlet is a unique example of fiordland on the pacific coast, and has a charm and beauty that really must be seen. The breathtaking scenery includes sheer granite cliffs rising from the placid water, along with dozens of waterfalls scattered along the coastline, created from the sun melting the snow on the mountains. At the head of the Inlet, you will encounter Chatterbox Falls which takes water from the surrounding mountain meadows which then cascade 40 metres into the Inlet throughout the year. Getting there: The entrance to the Inlet by boat is through a narrow entrance at Malibu Rapids where there can be a fast current of up to 7-10 knots, especially at spring tide, so caution […]

Nanaimo

If you’re planning your next Vancouver charter and looking for a complete change of pace, it may be worth taking a visit to the beautiful Lasqueti Island. Only 12 miles long and three miles wide, it’s only home to about 350 people. You’ll find Lasqueti Island southwest of Texada Island, which is not too far across the Strait of Georgia from Qualicum Beach and Parksville on Vancouver Island. The island can only be accessed by yacht, passenger ferry or plane, which gives you an idea of how remote this beautiful location is. Lasqueti is known for its eccentric community that live on the island. Its ferry terminal – False Bay is also the location for its small commercial center. Be aware that Lasqueti is completely undeveloped, there is no public transport and the roads are unpaved. But if you’re looking for a complete escape from the hustle and bustle of a busy town or city you can look forward to enjoying a wonderful selection of offshore reefs, coves, islands and islets. You can find local produce at Farmers’ markets every Saturday here plus festivals throughout the summer. Lasqueti is known for its mild climate, it’s a destination visited by Vancouver […]

Nanaimo

So if you’re preparing to set sail on a yacht charter, it certainly pays to be prepared before you leave. Having everything planned in advance will ensure that your yacht is fully prepared for every eventuality so that you can make the most out of your trip. Here are four great tips that will keep your yacht smooth sailing. 1. Check your inventory It pays to be prepared. Make sure that you have everything that you need before you hit the water. Double-check that the yacht has been serviced and that it’s in full working order. It’s also worth checking that you don’t have anything stored on the yacht that you don’t need. 2. Any problems? It’s certainly easier to deal with a situation once you know that it’s arisen but it’s better to make sure that you don’t have any issues before you start. Make sure you thoroughly check the yacht before sailing; are there any problems with the rig, deck fittings, sail or even the engine? Certainly, it’s important to check when the yacht was last serviced to ensure it’s fully seaworthy. 3. Safety first Have you got everything you need safety-wise? It’s all too easy to get […]

Nanaimo

So if you’re cruising Vancouver and looking for a new adventure, one of the most beautiful and serene ports you can visit has to be Secret Cove. As your yacht sails into one of nature’s most beautiful locations, discover a perfect location that has everything you need, whether for rest and relaxation, a romantic getaway or even a location for refocusing and revitalizing. As you approach the cove, you’re greeted by the stunning skyscrapers of Douglas-fir and Arbutus. With such a wonderfully romantic name you can certainly be assured of something special when you arrive. Enjoy breathtaking views from your yacht and look forward to a warm welcome as you come ashore to this beautiful bay. Secret Cove is well known for its protected anchorages, thanks to its gentle bays and coves. It’s definitely worth taking time out to visit some of the beautiful pristine wooded areas that the cove has to offer. You can also look forward to enjoying some fantastic great west coast cuisine at one of the local restaurants. Thinking of exploring into town, there’s a post office and liquor sales outlet plus you can also find a great parlor that serves delicious ice cream. You’ll also […]

Nanaimo

If you are planning a summer voyage on board one of our Nanaimo yacht charters, you are sure to want to check out the Indian Summer Festival which happens right across Vancouver from the 6th to the 15th of July in 2017. The festival is renowned world-wide due to its inclusive nature and bustling atmosphere. It is put together by the not for profit secular arts organisation; The Indian Summer Arts Society (ISAS). The society have a vision and a mission to create a culturally diverse and inclusive society, which is more challenging than ever with the current political landscape. ISAS try to make this dream a reality through a variety of challenging and interesting events for the arts which aim to inspire audiences to take on board the message of inclusivity. Global citizenship is the key theme which runs through all events, the pinnacle of which is the Indian Summer Festival which started back in 2011 with support from the fantastic creators of Jaipur Literature Festival; Teamwork Arts India, and the SFU Woodward’s Cultural Unit. The festival itself, as you may expect, is comprised of a whole variety of artists (musical, literary, arty) who come from all around Canada, […]