Guided Flotillas!
You can explore new cruising grounds with confidence, having an expert flotilla leader and the camaraderie of fellow sailors, or share familiar cruising grounds with the companionship of new faces! Our flotillas give you as much privacy or togetherness as you like. Each day you can cruise together with the flotilla or separately. You are welcome to raft to other boats in the group, or seek solitude in your own corner of an anchorage. You can join your cruise mates for evening hors d’oeuvres after exploring shore-side trails, poking your dinghy (or a kayak) into tiny inlets, or enjoy a relaxing evening watching the shadows of the evergreens stretch into the water.
What are the benefits of flotilla cruising?
Flotillas are an ideal setting to gain confidence and familiarize yourself with new cruising grounds, while enjoying the camaraderie of fellow cruisers. Your flotilla leader serves as a knowledgeable guide, providing skills “coaching” and docking or anchoring assistance as needed. Have a question? Assistance is always there.
In addition to safety and guidance, your flotilla leader(s) provide history and in some cases naturalist briefings on each cruising area. For example, each day’s cruise begins with a weather report and a chart briefing. They’ll review your destination and course and highlight both hazards and special natural scenes en route. In addition you’ll have the opportunity to learn about the history of each area, the original peoples, the Spanish and English explorations of the region, and even anchor in the same coves as George Vancouver.
In other words, it’s the best of both worlds as we help one another moor, point out wildlife, avoid rocks and reefs, and share prawns, oysters and crab straight from the sea.
Summer Guided Flotilla: San Juan Islands & Canadian Independence Day in Victoria, BC
7 days. June 27 - July 3, 2020
Enjoy summer cruising in the picturesque and beautiful US San Juan Islands and to Victoria, BC. The flotilla gives time for a relaxed adventure, exploring the best of the San Juan Islands (including Sucia Marine Park, Roche Harbor Resort and Stuart Island) as well as our favorite Canadian Destination, Victoria BC (Vancouver Island). One of the most beautiful harbors in the world, during the summer months it is the focus of festivals, shows and music. We will moor for two nights in the center of this vibrant heritage city, at the base of Empress Hotel, just steps from historic streets and distinctive English architecture...the perfect place to enjoy Victoria's Canada Day celebration and fireworks display. Then we’ll make our way back to US waters to spend a night at beautiful Rosario Resort and Spa. You can enjoy a special pipe organ concert in the magnificent Moran Mansion. A truly memorable experience!
(read more)
Summer Guided Flotilla: San Juan Islands
7 days. August 22-28, 2020
NOTE: This flotilla has room for 2 more monohulls. This late summer flotilla explores the classic destinations of the San Juan Islands, alternating between beautiful marine state parks (such as Sucia and Stuart Islands) and historic resort marinas (such as Roche Harbor and Rosario Resort). While we cruise among evergreen-studded islands we will keep our eyes peeled for eagles, herons, seals and sea lions, try to spy some orcas and do some hiking. If you have not cruised these islands before this will be a great introduction. Mixed in with all the beauty will be the opportunity to socialize with other boaters as we raft up for the night.
(read more)
Fall Guided Flotilla: Sailing the San Juan Islands (Sail Only)
7 days. September 12-18, 2020
Looking for a chance to enjoy a flotilla environment while focusing on sailing without the pressures of a set itinerary? This one's for you! This flotilla is timed to take advantage of the nice weather and uncrowded anchorages typical of September in the San Juan Islands. The intent will be to sail from destination to destination (though you can motor if you want). Each day's destination will be chosen based on current wind conditions and participant interests. The San Juan Islands provide us with plention of interesting options for destinations. Once we reach our destinatio we will raft up for happy hour or you can tuck away on your own. Sorry, sailboats only on this flotilla.
(read more)
Fall Guided Flotilla: Desolation Sound
14 days. September 19 - October 2, 2020
Discover the joys of exploring Desolation Sound at the end of the season, when the crowds have left and the air turns crisp. From Bellingham journey through the San Juans, Gulf Islands, and Sunshine Coast to Desolation Sound. Two weeks allows us time to explore, discovering the nature and history of this incredible cruising ground along the way. Serving as guide, naturalist and local historian, your experienced flotilla leader will help you discover an enriched cruising experience among these beautiful and diverse inlets and islands. Charter one of our well-maintained yachts or, if you prefer, we often have several by-the-stateroom rental options available.
(read more)
Fall Guided Flotilla: End of Season Hoorah!
10 days. October 3-12, 2020
("10 Days of Charter for the Price of 7 Days"... a 43% added value!)
This flotilla is designed to be a relaxed exploration of our favorite locations in San Juan Islands and Gulf Islands. Time to unwind and enjoy the crisp final days of the fall cruising season. Our route will remain somewhat flexible to accommodate weather. Likely destinations include:
- Sucia Island. Pristine beaches, meandering hiking trails and a good place to spot eagles, seals and herons.
- Stuart Island. Cozy, scenic anchorages. A nice walk/hike along trails and country roads to the Turn Point Lighthouse.
- Roche Harbor (San Juan Island). Historic resort with restaurant and spa. Visit nearby San Juan Island Distillery, take a walk to the unusual mausoleaum or explore outdoor works of art at the sculpture garden.
Spring Guided Flotilla: Princess Louisa Inlet & British Columbia's Sunshine Coast
10 days. April 28 - May 7, 2021
("10 Days of Charter for the Price of 7 Days"... a 43% added value!)
Late Spring is the perfect time to visit the "Sunshine Coast". Days are long, breezes are kind, waterfalls are running strong and wildlife is abundant. This relaxed 10-day flotilla takes advantage of our “10 days for the price of 7 days” Spring Special...a 43% added value...and spring charter rates that are 12.5% less than our summer rates! Your flotilla leader will guide you along BC's Sunshine coast (the eastern shore of the Strait of Georgia), into Jervis Inlet and through Malibu Rapids to spend two nights at Chatterbox Falls. (Spend the day in between exploring Princess Louisa Inlet, relaxing, or hike to the top of the falls, and for the really ambitious, continue on with the 2-hour hike up into the forest to explore the Trapper's Cabin.) Other stops on this flotilla include protected Garden Bay (Pender Harbor), quiet Secret Cove, labyrinthine Smuggler's Cove, quaint Gibson's Landing, and historic Snug Cove (Bowen Island).
(read more)
Spring Guided Flotilla: Desolation Sound
14 days. May 8-21, 2021
(Includes one "10 Days of Charter for the Price of 7 Days" special date set within the 14 days!)
Take this opportunity to explore Desolation Sound before the crowds arrive and while the waterfalls are running strong. From Bellingham journey through the San Juans, Gulf Islands, and Sunshine Coast to Desolation Sound. Two weeks allows us time to explore, discovering the nature and history of this incredible cruising ground along the way. This flotilla takes advantage of one of our “10 days for the price of 7 days” Spring Special plus spring charter rates that are 12.5% less than our summer rates! Your flotilla leader will guide you through the San Juan and Gulf Islands, along BC's Sunshine coast (the eastern shore of the Strait of Georgia), and in to Desolation Sound and the Discovery Islands. A couple of lay days will allow time to relax, explore in depth, hike, or simply watch the sun move across the sky.
(read more)
Spring Guided Flotilla: Broughton Islands
28 days. May 22 - June 18, 2021
(Includes two "10 Days of Charter for the Price of 7 Days" special date set within the 28 days!)
Join us for an adventure into the pristine Broughton Islands Archipelago. Adjacent the Northeast coast of Vancouver Island, this area is an expanse of natural beauty, secluded anchorages and towering mountains. Be transported back in time and picture life in this sparsely populated region of the world. Witness wildlife in its natural setting. Embrace life “off the grid” life away from the hectic, modern world.
Destinations may include Dent Rapids, Blind Channel, Kwatsi Bay, Echo Bay, Waddington Bay, Simoom Sound, Port Neville, Telegraph Cove, and Port McNeil. Along there will be an option to make a brief side trip to visit a couple of sites in Desolation Sound.
(read more)
Summer Guided ASA Flotilla: Gulf Islands (Sail only)
7 days. June 19-25, 2021
Join fellow sailors in cruising the beautiful Gulf Islands of British Columbia, Canada. The Gulf Islands, just off the northwest corner of Washington State, are a cruising paradise. These islands boast sheltered waters, magnificent marine parks, quiet villages and an abundance of welcoming marinas. Wildlife abounds on the land and in the sea, with deer, bald eagles, sea otters, seals, sea lions and orca whales commonplace. There is little rain and relatively few visitors in September, making this an ideal cruising ground.
On this flotilla you'll depart Bellingham WA, clear into Canada at Bedwell Harbour on Pender Island, then enjoy a welcome reception at Bedwell Harbor. The next day it’s off sailing to scenic Thetis Island, which boasts the islands’ best ice cream! We’ll spend two nights exploring Ganges, the principal town of the Gulf Islands, with biking, hiking, fine restaurants and whale watching available there on Saltspring Island. After that we’ll sail to our anchorage in isolated Genoa Bay on Vancouver Island. Our last evening will be a farewell beach barbecue on the shores of Cypress Island in the San Juan Islands.
(read more)
