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Vancouver Island’s Inside Passage – An Odyssey Through Time & Nature

Vancouver Island’s Inside Passage – An Odyssey Through Time & Nature

From CAD $5,950

Description

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.
Some departures may have slightly modified itineraries. Please confirm the itinerary with an Expedition Specialist.

Trip Name
Vancouver Island’s Inside Passage - An Odyssey Through Time & Nature
Days
8
Overview
Vessel Type: Schooner Length: 92f / 28m Passenger Capacity: 8 Maple Leaf is a 92-foot wooden schooner built in 1904, designed for intimate coastal exploration with a maximum of eight guests. She offers a deeply personal, human-scale experience that prioritises direct engagement with the natural world, accessing remote coastlines, rivers and anchorages unreachable by larger ships. Accommodation is simple but warm: four semi-private sleeping areas, shared washrooms, and communal spaces centred on conversation, observation and shared meals prepared onboard. Stability under sail, long range, and a highly experienced crew make her exceptionally capable despite her modest size. Constructed from Douglas fir, yellow cedar and mahogany, Maple Leaf blends working-vessel toughness with Edwardian craftsmanship and modern functionality. Life on board revolves around open decks, zodiac landings, kayaking, wildlife observation and, for those inclined, hands-on sailing under crew guidance. Her long history — from luxury yacht to high-performing halibut fishing vessel to pioneering expedition ship — gives the experience a sense of continuity and authenticity. Travel aboard Maple Leaf is immersive, physically engaging, and deliberately unpolished, favouring depth, access and presence over luxury conventions.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Days 1-3 Welcome Aboard!
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 viewingDay 3: Seymour Narrows, historic Ripple Rock, porpoises, rainforest shore excursion, Port Neville. Johnstone Straight and the steep-sided islands of the Broughton Archipelago.
Day 2 - Days 4-6 Alert Bay
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 3 - Days 7-8 Broughton Archipelago
Day 7: Broughton Archipelago, visit with researchers, visit to historic boardwalk village Telegraph Cove. Celebration dinner.Day 8: Cruise to port, watching for whales.
Day 4 - Please note:
Itineraries are subject to change. 

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
06-05-202613-05-2026CAD $5,950Cabins - Category 1
06-05-202613-05-2026CAD $6,650Cabin - Category 2, Option 1
06-05-202613-05-2026CAD $6,650Cabin - Category 2, Option 2
06-05-202613-05-2026CAD $6,850Cabin - Category 3
04-05-202711-05-2027CAD $6,130Cabins - Category 1
04-05-202711-05-2027CAD $6,850Cabin - Category 2, Option 1
04-05-202711-05-2027CAD $6,850Cabin - Category 2, Option 2
04-05-202711-05-2027CAD $7,060Cabin - Category 3

Inclusions

    • 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.

Map