Yacht Charter Special Offers | Boat Charters in vancouver

Group Courses

Course Schedule

Sail

Power

Other

April 17 – 25, 2026

Competent Crew & Day Skipper

Coastal Skipper or Bareboat Skipper

May 15 – 23, 2026

Competent Crew & Day Skipper

Coastal Skipper or Bareboat Skipper

June 5 – 13, 2026

Competent Crew & Day Skipper

Coastal Skipper or Bareboat Skipper

July 29 – August 9, 2026

Coastal Skipper or Bareboat Skipper

August 21 – 29, 2026

Competent Crew & Day Skipper

Coastal Skipper or Bareboat Skipper

September 4 – 19, 2026

Around Vancouver Island

April 17 – 25, 2026

Competent Crew & Day Skipper

Coastal Skipper or Bareboat Skipper

May 15 – 23, 2026

Competent Crew & Day Skipper

Coastal Skipper or Bareboat Skipper

June 5 – 13, 2026

Competent Crew & Day Skipper

Coastal Skipper or Bareboat Skipper

August 21 – 29, 2026

Competent Crew & Day Skipper

Coastal Skipper or Bareboat Skipper

Catamaran

April 9 – 13, 2026

IYT Catamaran Endorsement

April 17 – 25, 2026

Bareboat Skipper Catamaran

Women’s Only Sail

June 21 – 29, 2026

Competent Crew and Day Skipper

Bareboat Skipper

Women’s Only Power

May 8 – 16, 2026

Competent Crew and Day Skipper

Bareboat Skipper

New for the 2026 Season!

Gulf Islands Gourmet Loop

Desolation Sound Explorer

North Island Explorer

June 5 – 13, 2026

8 Days/Nights

Build your navigation, crew and skippering skills on this cruise in the Gulf Islands that will be as delicious as it is educational. Gourmet dining, farmers markets and the best tastes of Vancouver Island as you explore the South Coast’s best anchorages, harbours and shoreline restaurants.

Open to sailors at all skills levels – including anyone who just wants to experience cruising for the first time in one of the world’s most beautiful cruising grounds.

Certification & Training Focus: Introduction to Cruising, Competent Crew, Bareboat Skipper and Coastal Navigation

For more information, check out this link: VoyageMakers

July 29 – August 9, 2026

12 Days/Nights

Summer weather, fast currents, delicious food. Make this summer one that you will never forget as we explore the Sunshine Coast, Desolation Sound and the Discovery Islands during the best time of year. Enjoy learning new navigation and anchoring skills while enhancing your boating resume. This experience will help you gain valuable sea miles in complex waters, introduce you to BC’s most beautiful waterfalls.

Open to sailors at all skills levels – including anyone who just wants to experience cruising for the first time in one of the world’s most beautiful cruising grounds. Learn the skills you need for more adventurous explorations on your own boat or to prepare to circumnavigate Vancouver Island with us.

Certification & Training Focus: Coastal Navigation, Coastal/Bareboat Skipper (IYT-ICC)

For more information, check out this link: VoyageMakers

September 4 – 19, 2026

15 Days/Nights

Refine all of your seamanship skills in dynamic fall weather as we explore the fast running currents and anchor in quiet anchorages that will prepare you for more adventurous explorations at home and abroad. Experience world-class rapids, sail the Johnstone Strait and experience the Discovery Islands and Broughton Archipelago while you learn the skills you need for more adventurous explorations on your own boat or to prepare to circumnavigate Vancouver Island with us.

Certification & Training Focus: Coastal Navigation, Yachtmaster Coastal (IYT)

For more information, check out this link: VoyageMakers

For those interested in our courses, please fill out our Course Availability form.

Want to plan your own private course? Send us an email at info@nanaimoyachtcharters.com!

Frequently Asked Questions

How many people will be on the course with me?

For the sailing courses, there is a maximum of 6 students with 1 instructor. This is rarely the case, and there is more commonly about 3-4 students with 1 instructor.

For our power courses, there is a maximum of 4 student with 1 instructor. Again, we more commonly see 2-3 students with 1 instructor.

What will I eat? Do we go to restaurants every night?

We provide the food! We have the local grocery stores deliver the provisions to the marina, and we bring them onboard for you.

If you have eating restrictions, such as dairy-free or gluten-free, there is an additional fee to cover the difference in the provisioning price.

Do I have to share a cabin? Can I share a cabin with my partner/friend?

Want to share with a friend or a partner? The second person in the cabin gets 25% off the course cost. All cabins do accommodate two people, but you are on a boat! So it might be tight quarters.

Otherwise, nope! The course cost includes your own cabin, linens, and provisions. If you would like to share a cabin with someone, we can see if there’s someone else willing to share. In this case, we would split the 25% discount between the two people. If there’s no one willing to share, then you would pay the entire course fee.

Do I have to be there for the preboard day? What happens on that day?

Nope! Though, if you are not planning on getting here on the preboard day, please let us know. Having everyone onboard first thing in the morning helps you get an early start to the day. We totally understand if you want to spend one more night in your own bed before heading out for a week – just make sure you let us know!

The preboard day is designed to let you get situated with the vessel, get all your things onboard, and let you meet your fellow students! There isn’t any classwork that occurs, and you will only be leaving the docks the following morning. You are able to hop on the boat any time after 2PM to start getting ready to learn.

Are there any workbooks I have to complete? Is there anything online?

Yes! If you are completing the CRYA/ISPA courses, there is a workbook you will need to complete prior to your arrival. The ISPA is currently working on getting their theory portion switched to online. If completing the work online is an option for you, we will let you know. There are no final exams; however, however you must bring your completed workbook to the course for your instructor to mark.

For the IYT, there is an online component that you must complete prior to arrival. We administer the final exams onboard.

How do I secure my spot?

We require a 50% initial payment to secure your spot on the course. Full payment is due 60 days prior to the course start date. If you are signing up within that 60 day window, the full amount is due.