Vancouver Island one-week bareboat

Your Vancouver Island bareboat sailing holiday starts at our base in Deep Cove Marina. This scenic marina is located near all the amenities you need to provision your yacht before you set sail on your British Columbia sailing adventure. Explore the shops, cafés and restaurants in before heading out into the Canadian wilderness.

Discover Deep Cove Marina

Enjoy sandy Sidney Split

Take the ferry to Sidney Split, a long sand bar and marine park where you can relax on the sandy beach, explore the saltwater eco marshes or enjoy bird watching.

Today you’ll depart from our base at Deep Cove Marina, cruising across the Haro Strait for Bedwell Harbour on South Pender Island. Here you’ll find Poets Cove Resort where you can enjoy a relaxing spa or sauna, dine at the restaurant or head out to explore nearby Beaumont Marine Park.

Discover Bedwell Harbour

Beaumont Marine Park

Anchor at Beaumont Marine Park and hike up Mount Norman for fantastic views of the Gulf and San Juan Islands.

Sail north through the Swanson Channel, passing North Pender Island and Prevost Island until you reach the wild, untamed coastline of Galiano Island. Wind your way past Parker Island and moor in Montague Harbour. British Columbia’s oldest marine park, Montague Harbour is great for kayaking, hiking, whale watching and fishing.

Discover Montague Harbour

Close to marine life

Visit the Floating Nature House, where families can get up close and personal with Montague Harbour’s fantastic marine life.

Just a short hop across the Trincomali Channel from Montague Harbour is Ganges Harbour. The artisan town of Ganges is a perfect place to enjoy the atmosphere of a quaint seaside town, with restaurants, shops, art galleries, markets and cafés to keep you busy.

Discover Ganges Harbour

Farmers market

Visit Ganges’ unmissable farmers market, taking place every Saturday during the summer months.

Let the gentle thermal winds carry you north up the Trincomali Channel. You’ll skirt the top end of Salt Spring Island before turning toward Vancouver Island and cruising south to Maple Bay. The largest marina north of Sidney, Maple Bay features all the amenities you might need, so use this chance to stock up on supplies.

Drink in the exquisite scenery on both port and starboard sides of your yacht as you sail south through the tidal waters of Samsun Narrows, then enjoy a brisk sail into Saanich Inlet. Grab a mooring buoy and dinghy ashore to explore the vibrant floral display of Butchart Gardens.

Discover Butchart Gardens

Boat cruise

Head for the docks during the summer months and take a 45-minute boat cruise around Tod Inlet and Brentwood Bay to see seals, herons, eagles and otters in their natural habitat.

Depart the Todd Inlet at Butchart Gardens and head back north through Saanich Inlet. Enjoy the short cruise along the stunning natural coastline of Vancouver Island before returning to the base at Deep Cove Marina. Once back at base you can spend your final night aboard your yacht before departing the next morning. Use any extra time to take the ferry to Sidney Split and explore the saltwater eco marshes.