Frequently Asked Questions

How do I book a sailing trip?

You can simply Contact Us and we will help you plan your sailing trip. To jump in on your own, check out these pages under the Booking... menu:

  • Adventures - each of our sailing adventures are described here
  • Trip Planner - set the options and calculate the costs for your choosen adventure
    • you can also use this page to register with us and book your adventure
    • all info you enter on this page will be emailed to you and kept in confidence



How do I get to Gibsons?

Travelling from VANCOUVER to GIBSONS is as easy as 1, 2, 3... using either Public Transit or your Own Vehicle. Plan for about two hours (...or more if you bring your vehicle on the ferry at busy times). PUBLIC TRANSIT

  1. Take Express Bus 257 to Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal
    • WESTBOUND from downtown Vancouver
    • There are several bus stops on West Georgia St
    • More Info & Schedule: TransLink website
  2. Take the Ferry to Langdale (Gibsons)
    • BC Ferries from Horseshoe Bay to Langdale (Gibsons)
    • Beautiful 40 minute trip, food available aboard, check out the observation deck!
    • Round trip is $14 each, get 22% discount if you purchase an Experience Card*
    • More Info & Schedule: BC Ferries website
  3. Transport to Gibsons Harbour
    • The Skipper will pick you up at the Langdale ferry terminal - no charge
    • If you arrive early, you can take the bus - about $2.25 each
    • Either way, you'll be at Gibsons Harbour in a few minutes - only 3kms (2 miles)
OWN VEHICLE
  1. Drive to Horseshoe Bay
    • Located at the west end of West Vancouver, off Hwy 1/99
    • Take BC Ferries exit (to Gibsons, Nanaimo, Bowen Island)
    • Try to avoid driving from downtown Vancouver during rush hour (3-6pm)
    • Directions from downtown Vancouver: Google Maps
  2. Take the Ferry to Langdale (Gibsons)
    • BC Ferries from Horseshoe Bay to Langdale (Gibsons)
    • Beautiful 40 minute trip, food available aboard, check out the observation deck!
    • Approximate round trip fares: $14 each passenger, $46 automobile
      • Get a 22% discount if you purchase an Experience Card*
    • More Info & Schedule: BC Ferries website
    • Get to terminal early or make reservation: Available Ferry Space
  3. Drive to Gibsons Harbour
    • Drive off the ferry and turn LEFT onto Marine Drive at the first stoplights
    • Drive 3kms (2 miles) to lower Gibsons to "Molly's Reach" (yellow restaurant)
    • Free parking: just past Molly's, facing up the big hill, turn LEFT onto Gower Point Rd and drive a block to unrestricted diagonal parking

*BC Ferries Experience Card - no extra charge to buy this card, but there is a minimum loading amount to qualify for the 22% discount. Keep the receipt (which shows the remaining amount on the card) and the skipper will buy your card for that balance. Too much hassle? If the above travel doesn't jive with your holiday plans, you can consider staying over in Gibsons and the beautiful Sunshine Coast for longer. Or arrange for your sailing adventure to start in Vancouver (extra fee of $200 applies - choose alternate Cast-off location on the Trip Planner page)



Where will we go?

There are dozens of beautiful, interesting places within sailing distance of Gibsons and Vancouver: Bowen and Gambier Islands in Howe Sound, Squamish, up the Sunshine Coast to Pirate's Cove, Thornmanby Island, Secret Cove, Pender Harbour, and further to Powell River and Lund, and into Desolation Sound. On the Vancouver Island side of Georgia Strait, we can visit Hornby Island, Nanaimo, Silva Bay, Ladysmith, Thetis Island, Chemanus, Montague Harbour, Saltspring Island, Sidney, Pender Island, and Victoria. And that's not an exhaustive list! There are many other ports, plus literally hundreds of great locations where we can simply drop anchor for the day or night. A number of factors will help us determine your adventure destination(s):

  1. Your preferences - where would you like to go?
  2. Number of days - 30 nautical miles (55 km) is a comfortable limit for a full day of sailing
  3. Prevailing winds, currents, and conditions - we can motor if needed but wind power is the best!
Check the articles on the Destinations page for more info.



What's a typical sailing day look like?

Here's a sample timeline for a sailing day, although not necessarily typical:

  • Wake up at a comfortable time
  • Enjoy breakfast on board or at a local cafe if available
  • Liesurely cast-off at 9 or 10, or if moored in a particularly beautiful spot, at 11am
  • Sail to the next location on our itinerary - remember with sailing "the journey is destination" so the sights, sunshine, and sensations of sailing make it one of the day's highlights
  • Enjoy lunch on board while at sea.
  • Stop in the afternoon for a swim to cool off or for a hike on a nearby island
  • Arrive at next desitination late afternoon, and setup for dinner
  • Enjoy a BBQ or a hearty dinner prepared in the galley, or take the dinghy over to a local pub or restaurant if available
  • Spend the evening exploring local natural and cultural attractions, which could include activities such as:
    • shopping in Nanaimo or Squamish
    • kayaking in the Gulf Islands
    • visiting artisans on Saltspring Island
    • or just relax on board with a book, listening to music, playing cards
  • Pack it in about 10pm, and sleep like a baby thanks to all the fresh air and sunshine



Where's can I find more detailed info?

For other information, refer to these pages under the About... menu:

  • The Charter - descriptions of available options and our policies
  • The Skipper - introductions to the skipper and first mate



How do you ensure safe operation during the COVID Pandemic?

In response to the COVID Pandemic, we've implemented these health & safety protocols:

  1. Only one group (family/friends/"bubble") per charter - the minimum charter fee has been waived !
  2. We provide guests with hand sanitizer (mandatory) & masks (optional)
  3. Meals are suspended on 4-hour charters - but guests welcome to bring their own snacks and drinks
  4. Sorry, no US or International guests accepted without assurance of completed 2-week isolation
  5. Tours of boat suspended, but guests welcome to check out cabin on their own and use head (with posted instructions)
  6. Boat cockpit, cabin, and head are sanitized between sailings.