Go cruising in the Vancouver, Coast and Mountains region to access spectacular scenery and the mild, protected waters of the Sunshine Coast and Fraser River. Desolation Sound Marine Provincial Park (on the Sunshine Coast) is one of the most popular destinations for BC cruises.
Set sail with a cruise operator named “Best Adventure Travel Company on Earth” by National Geographic Adventure (2009), combine a night at a historic hotel in Lund with a sunset dinner cruise, or blend cruising with ocean paddling by wet launching a kayak from a mothership schooner.
Sailboat charters are plentiful on the Sunshine Coast; there are also powerboat or paddleboat cruises available on the Fraser River.
Cruises range from multi-day sailing trips with nights spent onboard (accommodations vary from ship to ship) to single day excursions. Groups are usually under ten guests. West Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay), Gibsons, Sechelt, Lund and Mission are popular ports of departure for cruise companies.
BC Ferries
BC Ferries' southern routes travel to the Sunshine Coast and nearby islands (including Vancouver Island). Relax on deck with quick and scenic sailings to Bowen Island or Gibsons (Langdale terminal). Planning a trip? Stop by the BC Ferries Vacations Centre in Vancouver for ferry, accommodation and tour packages. Reservations are strongly recommended for all holiday sailings.
Desolation Sound and Sunshine Coast Cruises
Discover why Desolation Sound is one of the most popular cruising areas on the Sunshine Coast (and in BC): warm waters ideal for swimming and wildlife watching, sheltered bays for calm anchorages, and lofty mountains that frame ocean views. Other popular cruising areas near here include Princess Louisa Inlet, Jervis Inlet and Howe Sound.
Sail the straits on a scheduled day tour with Misty Isles Adventures' classic schooner – splash around in the water, wet launch a kayak, explore sandy beaches or watch sea lions sunning on rocks. Tours depart from Cortes Island (accessed via ferry from Campbell River). Multi-day trips are also available.
Other Sunshine Coast cruise options include exploring the area’s rugged beauty on the Inside Passage tour with Bluewater Adventures – named as one of the “Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth” (2009) byNational Geographic Adventure magazine – or spending a few hours sightseeing with Sunshine Coast Boat Tours.
Custom charter a trip here with Pacific Yellowfin Charters and enjoy amenities such as gourmet fare and flat-screen TVs, or take in the snow-capped mountains during winter with Ocean Adventures Charter Co.
Fraser River Powerboat Cruises
Travel the Fraser River by powerboat – the river’s strong tides and shallow waters can only be navigated by small vessels. Fraser River Safari’s fully enclosed “Safari Craft” allows ample opportunities for viewing wildlife, while Hell's Gate Jet Boat Tours tackle the white waters of Fraser Canyon. Both operators also offer nature and history tours to Pitt Lake and Harrison Hot Springs.
Paddlewheeler Riverboat Tour
Be transported to the 1800s onboard Paddlewheeler Riverboat Tours’ authentic paddlewheeler and experience how Gold Rush pioneers, fur traders and settlers once travelled the Fraser River. Dine and dance on a sunset cruise or journey to Fort Langley National Historic Site (the birthplace of BC) for a truly historical feel. Tours depart from New Westminster’s Riverside Market.
Lillooet River Jet Boat Cruise
Cruise remote sections of the lower Lillooet River on a guided jet boat tour with The Adventure Ranch (departs from Pemberton). Drift over exhilarating white-water rapids and finish with a visit to Skookumchuck Hot Springs.
Unique Cruises
Set sail with Orca Wind Sail Charters and be pampered on deck with gourmet food and spa services, such as chef-prepared seafood meals, massages, manicures or pedicures.
Interested in painting and writing? Join Mothership Adventures on theColumbia III and spend a week with guided instruction from a local artist to capture the landscape of Desolation Sound and learn technique and composition.
Harbour and Dinner Cruises
Complement a stay at The Historic Lund Hotel with a dinner harbour cruise to Desolation Sound. Savour a delicious meal and sunset views, or opt for an afternoon picnic lunch and travel to the white-sand beaches of Savary Island (dubbed the “Hawaii of the North”).
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 be prepared for some motion.
- Local Visitor Centres are a great source of information, and can help with trip planning and transportation.
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