Queen Charlotte Islands Basic -- Advanced courses  This extended cruise is a great venue for Basic, Intermediate or Advanced certification.  It is also a good opportunity to complete the Coastal Nav. course. In addition to the listed sections we can custom tailor longer or shorter legs to suit your available time.

Sailcraft's   premier cruise for 2011

Our new trip for 2009 took us up the historic Inside Passage past the home of the legendary white Spirit Bear into the historic mists of Haida Gwaii. (the Queen Charlotte Islands).   The experience was so fantastic that we have decided to do it again in 2011 as Sailcraft's final adventure.   Read our blog

Guests who take the first leg leaving from Vancouver experience the wonders of the Inside Passage and Desolation Sound as we transit Johnstone Strait and adjoining waters on our passage to Port Hardy. 
From Port Hardy, we will cross the open water of Queen Charlotte Sound on our second leg to Calvert Island  and voyage up the Inside Passage past Bella Bella, Klemtu, and the historic ghost towns of Namu, and Butedale to Pacific Royal Island the home of the White Kermode bear   We will anchor in a couple of coves so that we might have a chance of spotting this elusive creature.  From Princess Royal, given appropriate weather, we head across Hecate Strait on an overnight passage to Queen Charlotte City. 

In Charlotte City  we will re-provision and will try to arrange for a First Nations orientation seminar.   Within the fabulous beauty of this area we will work on our Sailing and Navigation skills and if we are able to obtain the appropriate permission, we may be able to visit the sacred site of SGang Gwaay, and see the word heritage site of a traditional Northwest Coastal Village as well as explore the rain forest and soak in a natural Hot Springs while over looking the Islands of Gwaii Hannas. After almost 2 weeks of sailing and exploring, we return to Charlotte City/Sandspit.

After 4 weeks in Haida Gwaii we will have new sailing and navigation challenges as we now head back to Port Hardy.  Weather will be our friend or foe as we plot our course back and decide whether we will be able to sail Offshore or will be forced to head back down the Northern Inside passage.  
Regardless of the route we will have 12 days to explore Coves, Bays, Beaches and Villages and if 2009 was any indication we will again be besieged by whales and eagles along the way.

Out last leg will continue to be every bit as challenging as the previous ones with a (weather permitting) trip down the outside of Vancouver Island.  This leg will be a mixture of short days and overnight sails as we again explore the many bays and inlets along the coast.  After a day in Victoria to re-aquaint ourselves with civilization, we are off to Vancouver via the beautiful Gulf Islands.  This last leg is virtually identical to our VanIsle cruise.

While we have divided the trip up into several sections, we can combine legs or shorten them to suit individual time requirements. 
All legs of this cruise are "Hands On" with everyone participating in safety procedures and drills, passage planning, navigation, anchoring, sail trim, helming, and shipboard duties. It will be a learning experience for all. Your. Instructor \ Skipper will provide instruction for all activities and prepare crew members who wish to complete certification courses.

Vancouver to Port Hardy -- Cost --- $1198.00 Single   $1989.00 Couple -- 8 days
Hardy to Sandspit -- Cost ---  $1398.00 Single   $2189.00 Couple -- 12 days
Gwaii Hannas -- Cost --- $2898.00 single, $5288,00 couple -- 14 days -- limited to 4 students
Port Hardy to Vancouver -- Cost --- $2898.00 single, $5288,00 couple --- 14 days

Your hosts: June, Hale, and Abby

Photos of this cruise                          Log & photos from 2009