Vancouver Island’s Inside Passage - An Odyssey Through Time & Nature
Cruise the East Coast of Vancouver Island on a Boutique, Classic Ship
An amazing journey through the wild island archipelagos on Vancouver Island’s east coast. Highlights of Desolation Sound, Discovery Islands, and the Broughton Archipelago, including wildflowers, beaches, waterfalls, seabirds, marine mammals, rainforests, and exploring.
Highlights
• Nature’s Spectacle
Seabirds, seals, orcas, humpback whales and bears call this region home.
• Diverse Ecosystems
From the warm islands to the steep-sloped rainforest of the Broughton Archipelago.
• Explore Ashore
Navigate the inside passage of Vancouver Island, and step onto secret coves.
• Heritage Tugboat
As a guest, you’re welcome to join us in the wheelhouse and learn how the crew makes navigation decisions.
Day 1: Forest hike to panoramic view. Visit to beaches, historic farmsteads and wildlife islets (seabirds, sea lions).
Day 2: Cruising Georgia Strait, explore ashore in the Discover Islands beaches and wildlife viewing
Day 3: Seymour Narrows, historic Ripple Rock, porpoises, rainforest shore excursion, Port Neville. Johnstone Straight and the steep-sided islands of the Broughton Archipelago.
Day 4: Coastal villages, Alert Bay’s U’mista cultural centre, marine mammals.
Day 5: Intertidal exploration ashore—the wondrous world of creatures that live where the tide comes in and out.
Day 6: Cruise to next anchorage and watch for killer whales and porpoises.
Day 7: Broughton Archipelago, visit with researchers, visit to historic boardwalk village Telegraph Cove. Celebration dinner.
Day 8: Cruise to port, watching for whales.
Itineraries are subject to change.
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Cabin
Vessel Type: Schooner
Length: 92f / 28m
Passenger Capacity: 8
About the Maple Leaf
Outfitted for Engaging with the Natural World
Maple Leaf is a classic, 92-foot schooner. She accommodates up to 8 guests in 4 semi-private sleeping areas, with 3 shared washrooms, and a crew of 4 or 5.
Maple Leaf is a sea-kindly vessel with a long range. She can take you to the coast’s wildest, remotest corners more comfortably and safely than most other vessels. Her sails and 40,000-pound keel keep her steady, and her crew’s warmth and culinary delights keep your soul soaring.
A Classic Wooden Sail Boat
Her curved deck planks, mahogany and glass butterfly hatches, fir beams, mahogany cabinetry and the sweep of her long cap rail are a pleasure to look at.
Modern Comforts with Edwardian Elegance
Maple Leaf’s interior is in harmony with her heritage: modern conveniences and good space design, melded with a decor that nods to her Edwardian past.
Dining Lounge
Unwind with books, journaling, and conversations in our cozy onboard library and dining lounge. We dine on deck or in this lounge, depending on the weather.
Galley
From the tiny galley, Maple Leaf’s chefs produce incredible meals and snacks fresh each day. Enjoy fine meals and discussions about the day’s adventures with the crew and naturalist.
Wheelhouse Lounge
The captain and first mate skillfully navigate and plan routes here. They’re happy to share insights and explain the systems. This space features natural history guidebooks and showcases mahogany and Douglas fir craftsmanship that shines throughout the vessel.
Sleeping Areas & Heads (Bathrooms)
The main cabin accommodates eight guests with divided sleeping areas, each featuring large comfortable beds, storage space, reading lamps, and cozy bedding. There are three washrooms with hot water showers.
Decks
Maple Leaf has lots of deck space, on which people may choose to sit and watch the coast’s scenery, chat with others, steer the ship, or have quiet time alone.
Shore Boats
Our two zodiacs provide ample space and great access to explore along shorelines, up rivers, near wildlife colonies, and onto beaches.
Kayaks
While at anchor, enjoy one of our two single kayaks. The kayaks are stable and easy to use, with assistance from crew getting in and out.
Fishing Tackle
We have fishing rods and lures ready for jigging. Obtain your fishing licence prior to your trip and take a turn at jigging for halibut or lingcod.
Other Equipment
The ship provides guidebooks, visual aids, and a hydrophone to listen to whale sounds, enhancing appreciation of local flora, fauna, and marine phenomena.
Inclusions
• All meals, snacks and beverages prepared from the freshest ingredients by our superb chef.
• Fine wines featured with the evening meal, and a limited amount of beer included and available throughout the trip. (Liquor is not a large part of our trips, so plan on light consumption).
• Services of our naturalist and professional crew.
• Shore excursions.
• Use of gear on board, including rubber boots, kayaks and fishing gear (with fishing licence).
• All accommodations on your vessel and, on trips with a land day, in a local lodging.
Exclusions
• The price does not include transportation to or from the starting and ending points of the Maple Leaf, Swell, and Cascadia trips, except for flights from Vancouver to the start of Cascadia’s Haida Gwaii trips and trips with a current Flight Promotion.
• Canadian trips are subject to a 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST), while Alaska trips are exempt.
• There is also a sustainability fee of $200 added to each fare on booking.
• Tipping for the crew is not included and is confidential and at your discretion.
• Fishing licenses are not included and must be acquired by guests wanting to fish prior to their trip.
Small Ship Cruise
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