Cruises & Boat Tours
BC Ferries' Northern Expedition in the Inside Passage, BC Ferries photo
Cruises in British Columbia have more than 27,000km/16,780mi of coastline, thousands of lakes and many mostly uninhabited islands to explore. Frommer’s travel guide called BC one of the “World’s Great Sailing Regions” (2009).
Popular cruising areas include the Inside Passage, Great Bear Rainforest, Queen Charlotte Islands/Haida Gwaii, Desolation Sound and the Gulf Islands. Choose from a wide selection of cruise operators, five of which were even recommended by Frommer's travel guide and/or National Geographic Adventure magazine.
On a BC cruise, discover granite cliffs with plunging waterfalls, sail through temperate rainforests, and float in quiet fjords and inlets with protected sanctuaries that are home to lots of wildlife.
Cruises range from multi-day trips and single day excursions to harbour and dinner cruises, with some operators offering rentals (for experienced skippers) or private charters with custom itineraries. Cruise companies may depart from several different ports and usually carry 10-15 guests.
Travelling the coast? BC Ferries offer cruise-like experiences while servicing 47 destinations, and some Alaskan cruises make ports of call at Vancouver, Victoria, Nanaimo and Prince Rupert.
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Learn more about cruising in BC’s regions and cities:
Vancouver Island: Ancient rainforests, marine wildlife and the laid-back lifestyle of the Gulf Islands.
Northern British Columbia: Iconic routes that include the Inside Passage and Queen Charlotte Islands/Haida Gwaii, plus the Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary.
Cariboo Chilcotin Coast: Aboriginal villages and the majestic fjords and inlets of the Great Bear Rainforest (home of the rare Kermode (Spirit) bear).
Vancouver, Coast & Mountains: Warm waters in Desolation Sound and river safaris on the powerful Fraser River.
Thompson Okanagan: Houseboats with great amenities and dinner cruises on balmy lakes with vineyard views.
Kootenay Rockies: The world's “longest free ferry ride," sailboat charters and houseboat rentals on Kootenay Lake and Lake Koocanusa.
Vancouver: City skylines and mountain vistas from hop-on/hop-off ferries, along with harbour and dinner cruises.
Victoria: Charming coastlines with views of the Olympic Mountains and Juan de Fuca Strait.
Cruising on BC Ferries
BC Ferries was named one of the “World’s Top 10 Ferry Boat Rides” (2009) by The Society of American Travel Writers. Major routes such as the Inside Passage, Discovery Coast Passage and some southern crossings have comfortable amenities, such as Wi-Fi, spa services, movie lounges and even on-deck barbeques. Visit the BC Ferries Vacation Centre in Vancouver for ferry, accommodations and tour packages.
Cruises to Alaska
Many Alaskan cruises depart from Vancouver, while Victoria, Nanaimo and Prince Rupert can serve as ports of call en route – more than one million cruise passengers visited BC in 2010! Shore excursions include visits to Stanley Park and The Butchart Gardens, historical neighbourhoods such as Gastown or Victoria’s Inner Harbour, or nature tours in Nanaimo or Prince Rupert.
Popular BC Cruise Areas
Cruise along the Inside Passage and to ancient Queen Charlotte Islands/Haida Gwaii on a century-old schooner or drift past grizzly bears in the Great Bear Rainforest on a classic motor yacht. To travel back in time, step onboard a heritage tugboat charting northern waters, or join an authentic paddlewheeler tour following the Gold Rush route.
Along Vancouver Island’s west coast, delve into coastal life on a working freighter or charter a luxury yacht to linger in the warm waters of Desolation Sound. Enjoy the comforts of home on an Okanagan Lake or Kootenay Lake houseboat or wine and dine on a Vancouver dinner and harbour cruise.
Practical Points
- The peak season for cruising is from March to October, but some tours are offered year-round.
- Most multi-day cruises require reservations, while some harbour and day cruises can be booked on the spot. It’s best to check in advance.
- Most cruise operators provide all food, beverage, equipment and some outdoor clothing, but remember to bring warm, layered clothing as ship decks can be breezy.
- Seasickness is generally not an issue in the sheltered inside passages but for trips on open waters (like Vancouver Island’s west coast), be prepared for some motion.
- Visit local Visitor Centres for help with trip ideas, planning and transportation.
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Visitor Centres
#209-1110 Government St.
Victoria, British Columbia
V8W 1Y2
Rated "Trip of a Lifetime" by Frommer's (2000-2011) & a "Best Adventure Travel Company on Earth" by National Geographic Adventure (2009). Take a multi-day adventure cruise on the 28 m (92 ft) schooner Maple Leaf to really experience BC's wildlife, landscape & culture. Cruise islands & fjords, explore ancient rainforests. A-list naturalists & guides lead you to intimate bear, whale & seabird viewing & First Nations sites. Frequent shore trips, gourmet cuisine, friendly crew & accommodations. Queen Charlotte Islands, Great Bear Rainforest, Vancouver Island, Gulf Islands. By a leader in sustainable tourism, these trips are for people who enjoy the path less travelled. Visit us for information.
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Easter in the Gulf Islands aboard the Maple Leaf!
This special event Easter cruise features a chef-prepared dinner & remote island easter egg hunt!
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We offer multi-day cruises through Haida Gwaii's (Queen Charlotte Islands) Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, Northern Vancouver Island, Great Bear Rainforest, North Coast/Khutzeymateen and SE Alaska. Our 68' vessels provide the perfect base from which to tour remote coastlines. On these first rate 'learning journeys', we expect to see whales, birds, bears, rich intertidal zones and a great number of birds. With our Native Guides, we visit ancient villages with totem poles and hope to catch a glimpse of the Spirit Bear! Our professional crew, including an on-board Naturalist, will take you to places few have ever been. All aboard!
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283A Bamfield Boardwalk
Bamfield, British Columbia
V0R 1B0
Join us for a memorable trip exploring our local area & all its wonders. You may see sea lions lounging at their haul out, harbour seals shyly watching us go by, eagles in their nests tending to their young, sea otters at home in the kelp beds, black bears foraging on the shoreline, gray whales devouring tons of krill and humpback whales playfully breaching. Diving charters, accommodations, kayak rentals & Broken Group Island kayak shuttle available.
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We welcome you to join us on an unforgettable adventure exploring BC the best way possible! Our vessel, the Canadian Shore, is perfect for the BC coast waters & our crew has all the experience to make your trip truly extraordinary. The Canadian Shore is capable of travelling to the perfect BC destination to fulfil your adventure & sightseeing cravings. The BC Coast is packed with perfectly natural & spectacular sights; each of our packages, whether you're travelling on a 1 or 7 day trip, we plan to tour the best of the best and see the most!
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Moored At Penticton Marina
Penticton, British Columbia
V2A 1H5
Get aboard Penticton's genuine paddlewheeler! Experience the beautiful south end of Okanagan Lake from the waterside and create lasting memories for your family and friends Apr-Oct. We offer Scenic Cruises, Dinner Buffet & BBQ Cruises, Wine tasting events, live music, on fully licensed premises.
Or charter for your business or private function: weddings, anniversaries, reunions, club and staff socials, fundraisers. BYO food is possible or let us do the catering, casual to high end. 48 passenger capacity on 2 decks. Roofed open air deck plus enclosed deck with panorama windows. See you this summer!
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7813 Okanagan Landing Rd
Vernon, British Columbia
V1T 7Z3
Starting in June, we serve a leisurely luncheon on the water, a perfect way to entertain your guests. Jul-Sept, twice a day, leisurely cruises start at Paddlewheel Park. Cruise into Adventure Bay then up north Okanagan or past Ellison Provincial Park while enjoying a cold beverage or a light snack from our fully stocked bar. White Linen and China Dinner cruises every Friday & Saturday nights. Learn about Lake Okanagan and the beautiful Okanagan Valley. When booking online, allow 24 hrs for our response. Live entertainment upon request. Come join us for fun in the sun!
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Government Dock
Gold River, British Columbia
V0P 1G0
Relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery of Vancouver Island's rugged West Coast as you tour its inlets with Get West Adventure Cruises aboard the MV Uchuck III, a 136-foot passenger and freight vessel providing service through historic Nootka, Esperanza, and Kyuquot Sounds.
Our schedule provides day and overnight cruises through some of Vancouver Island's most spectacular scenery, perfect for a short adventure or family vacation. Watch the day-to-day events of a working coastal vessel, explore the shores and waterways of isolated inlets, and see a variety of wildlife - black bears, eagles, sea otters, Pacific dolphins, gray and killer whales.
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2 Second Beach Rd
Skidegate, British Columbia
V0T 1S1
Our mission is to provide a high quality, professional guiding service to all sectors of the tourism market, encompassing extensive Haida knowledge of the land & seas. We are the only Haida owned & operated charter/tour company licensed to operate within the Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve & visit the Haida Heritage sites of Kumshewa, Skedans (K'uuna Llnagaay), Tanu (T'aanuu Llnagaay), Windy Bay (Hlk'yah Llnagaay) & Hotspring Island (Gandll K'in Gwaayaay).
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100 Bernard Ave
Kelowna, British Columbia
V1X 7R4
KelownaDinnerCruises does public dinner cruises Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights with live bands performing every night. We have a fully licensed bar & kitchen. We are also available for private charters such as wedding receptions, birthday or staff parties.
In the afternoons we do daily lake tours & offer evening sunset cruises. The Boardroom dinner cruise boat has a hot tub, slide, fireplace, dance floor, 2 bathrooms, TV/DVD, iPod & 2 stereo systems to ensure that your event is fun & memorable. Located in Kelowna at 100 Bernard Ave (across from the sails downtown); shuttle service available. Kids are welcome.
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Historic Lund Hotel
Lund, British Columbia
V0N 2G0
Let us 'spirit' you away for an unforgettable scenic dinner cruise into world renowned Desolation Sound aboard the fully licensed 58' passenger motor vessel, 'The Swan Spirit'. Enjoy our fabulous 'Buffet at Sea' amid comfortable booth style seating in the fully enclosed lower lounge, or enjoy the sunsets on the open upper observatory deck as we cruise amongst the islands & inlets of BC's largest & best known marine park. The buffet style meal is fabulous & the sights are unforgettable. Don't forget your camera!
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