Desolation Sound & Discovery Islands, B.C
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Desolation Sound & Discovery Islands, B.C. On SV Maple Leaf A Frommer’s “Trip of a Lifetime” H undreds of sun- Islands & Fjords of Desolation Sound invigorating dip in the chill ocean. warmed islands lie in a Sail into a world where time stands still, beneath Walk with your experienced naturalist through the dry- glaciated peaks, rainforested hillsides, and expansive rainforest to see up close the unique colors of arbutus protected sea between waters that turn into secret coves you will explore. trees and salmon berry flowers that bloom in spring. Vancouver Island and the Discover hidden island lakes nestled in the forest. While Desolation Sound is one of the world’s most snowy peaks of the Coast popular cruising destinations, you will enjoy the area These trips are a great opportunity to experience the mountain range. in a unique way: without the bustle of other boat- relaxing pace but full days aboard Maple Leaf. In the ers. By touring Desolation Sound and the Discovery quiet beauty of these islands, you will feel as if you are The Discovery Islands and Islands in early May you will enjoy the tranquil waters thousands of miles from anywhere. Desolation Sound are the in the calmness of spring, before other cruisers arrive. Breathtaking Landscape: A worlds that for decades have Maple Leaf’s crew know the area well. Together you Photographer’s Dream entranced the readers of will explore, sail across blue-green waters, meander into steep-sided fjords, and set anchor in hidden coves Take in the vibrant spring colors of this beautiful piece M. Wylie Blanchet’s coastal that are near waterfalls and trails to secret island lakes. of coastline, where glacier-carved peaks plunge into classic, The Curve of Time. deep water fjords. It is the perfect destination to join Activities our experienced crew in photographing the natural beauty all around. Summary: Sailing, cruising, walking, hiking, natural history, wildlife viewing, scenic photography, Landscapes change as you cruise past smooth stone beachcombing, explorations by small boat, islets laden with arbutus trees and towering cliffs such kayaking (optional), swimming (optional), browsing as those on West Redonda. Toba Inlet local communities. Sit back on deck and enjoy, and you’ll see why this is Desolation sounD The possibilities are endless in this beautiful and known as one of the world’s best cruising destinations. Campbell River eclectic region. The Strait of Georgia, Vancouver Island’s inland sea, can offer exceptional sailing as you Comox & Courtenay make you way around the Discovery Islands and into Desolation Sound. En route, visit an island village that Vancou is home to interesting crafts people and artists. Ver i slan Gulf is. Within Desolation Sounds’ sheltered waters you will D national Park find bountiful wildlife as you discover marine birds, reserVe seals, sea lions, river otter, and bald eagles. Colourful Sidney intertidal life will delight you as we explore together 20 km from our zodiacs and on beach walks. Enjoy sandy © Maple Leaf Adventures Corp. All rights reserved. Printed on recycled, post-consumer paper Printed on recycled, Corp. All rights reserved. © Maple Leaf Adventures shore beachcombing or, for the most daring, a quick, Photo credits: Kevin Smith, Thomas Kerr (sea lion) Thomas Kerr (sea Kevin Smith, Photo credits: www.MapleLeafAdventures.com Desolation Sound & Discovery Islands, B.C. Sample Itinerary: Sample Itinerary: Desolation Sound, Gulf Islands & Salish Desolation Sound & Discovery Islands Sea Supervoyage Note that, as with all expedition cruises, itineraries vary depending on the interests of the guests, and the actions of weather “Thank you for the and wildlife. These sample itineraries are meant to give you an idea of the typical trip. privilege of being aboard this beautiful ship, experiencing the Day 1 Board at Sidney, orientation, cruising the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve. Seabird, shore Day 1 Welcome aboard and cruise to Cortez Island. magical beauty of the islands.” walk to spectacular views. Rainforest walk with naturalist. Small com- munity visit. Welcome dinner. - Elspeth McVeigh, Day 2 Visit the beaches and old homestead at Cab- Day 2 Cruise to spectacular Teakerne Arm, where a Vancouver, B.C. & United Kingdom bage and Tumbo Islands, as well as the wild- life colonies at the Belle Chain Islets. Cruising waterfall plunges down a steep cut beside the up Galiano’s outer coast and through Porlier ship. Walk to a lake with a picnic lunch. Cruis- Pass, watching for seabirds in the nutrient- ing the scenic passages. Evening shore trip. 2018 Dates & Prices - rich waters. Anchorage, inner islands. Evening Day 3 Sail or cruise into Toba Inlet. This spectacular Maple Leaf kayak optional. fjord, 35 km long, cuts deep into the coast mountains. As you cruise the snow-capped Desolation Sound & Discovery Day 3 Dodd Narrows and sailing Georgia Strait. Shore trip and anchorage, Hornby Island. peaks tower above. Watch for seals and sea Islands lions, seabirds and other animals. Anchor- May 6 - 10 Day 4 Set sail for Savary Island, a slender island age at Prideaux Haven, at the confluence of 5 days, 4 nights C $1970 with specatacular white sand beach, at the Malaspina Inlet and Homfray Channel. Depart: Campell River, BC entrance to Desoaltion Sound. Shore trip. Cruising to seabird haven Mitlenatch for Day 4 Explore Prideaux Haven. Cruise the mainland Return: Campbell River, BC zodiac explore and birdwatching. Anchorage shore to the Copeland Islands. Desolation Sound, Gulf Islands & Cortez Island. Day 5 Cruise to Campbell River, watching for wild- Salish Sea Supervoyage Day 5-6 Cruising, anchorage and shore trips in Deso- life en route. Apr 26-May 4 lation Sound such as specatacular Prideaux 9 days, 8 nights C $3410 Haven, Teakerne Arm on West Redonda Island Depart: Sidney, BC and Desolation Sound marine park. Return: Campbell River, BC Day 7-8 Exploring Toba Inlet, and further island groups in Desolation Sound. Evening anchor- age day 8 at Rebecca Spit marine park. Day 9 Cruise to Campbell River, watching for wild- Maple Leaf Adventures life en route. PO Box 8845, Stn. Central, Victoria, B.C., V8W 3Z1 Canada toll free 1-888-599-5323 local 1-250-386-7245 Photo credits: Kevin Smith, Thomas Kerr (seals) Thomas Kerr Kevin Smith, Photo credits: www.MapleLeafAdventures.com Trip price is in Canadian dollars. Prices/dates subject to change About the Ship The Ship, SV Maple Leaf Maple Leaf is a beautiful 92-foot schooner. The Coast’s Beloved, Historic Tall Ship Built of coastal Douglas fir, high elevation yellow cedar and mahogany, she is a tough expedition vessel and a work of artistry. Transport Canada Certified Maple Leaf is certified by Transport Canada as a passenger carrying vessel. This stringent, world-class desgination is the highest standard of certification for vessels in Canada (higher than most charter boats, sail training vessels, and fishing vessels, for example). Comfort and Beauty Maple Leaf’s accommodations are very comfort- able. Mahogany and fir line the galley, dining salon and wheelhouse. The spacious main cabin is airy and divided by half-walls and heavy curtains into four “cabins,” providing sleeping accommodations for eight guests. There are three heads (washrooms) aboard, all with hot running water and shower Above: The Maple conversions. Leaf’s wheelhouse lounge. Unparallelled Access to Special Places Right: One of the Maple Leaf has an extensive library and three many on-deck seat- decks. Her sea-kindly attributes, long range, sails ing areas, this one and size allow you to access extraordinary wilder- along the aft rail of ness areas of the coast most people will never reach. the ship. She is outfitted for engaging with the natural world: rigid hull inflatable boats for accessing wildlife colonies and remote beaches, kayaks, a hydro- phone for listening to whales, small temporary tanks for exploring intertidal life, GoPro underwa- ter cameras, presentation screen & more. www.MapleLeafAdventures.com Photos: Top - Brian Falconer; Middle and Bottom - Kevin J. Smith About the Ship Top: A detail from the wheelhouse at night. Middle left: The dining lounge. Middle right: A snack served on deck. Bottom left: One of the sleeping cabins. Bottom right: One of the heads (bathrooms) www.MapleLeafAdventures.com Photos: This page - Kevin J. Smith BOUTIQUE EXPEDITIONS BY CLASSIC SHIP Alaska | Great Bear Rainforest | Gulf Islands | Haida Gwaii | Vancouver Island General InformatIon How to Get Here BookInG & CanCellatIon PolICy Photos: Brandon Harvey, Scott Forsyth, Jeff Reynolds The Trips S ince 1986, trips with Maple Leaf Adventures have been described by guests and international media as the “Trip of a Lifetime”. Join us and discover the amazing natural wonders of the British Columbia and southeast Alaska coast. Your 5-day to 11-day tour explores this vast paradise of 50,000 islands and 40,000 km of shoreline. You will travel in the spirit of adventure, aboard authentic, classic coastal ships. Unlike big or pocket cruise ships, these nimble, 8 or12-passenger boats are a historic part of this coast. They give you the most exclusive access to remote areas and wildlife, while also providing an all-coastal, expert crew, and the luxuries of the good things in life, such as meals prepared by a chef, beautiful surroundings, great companions, and warm comfort. •Alaska Adventure USA The best of Alaska’s inside passage and west coast: glaciers, rainforest, bears, whales, wil- Canada derness, towns, culture. Usually 10 days Sitka, AK Petersburg, AK USA •Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands) Explore the 150+ islands of “Canada’s Gala- pagos”, including Gwaii Haanas. Highlights include Haida monumental villages, spectacu- lar whales, ancient rainforest and marine life. Usually 8-9 days Prince Rupert, BC •Great Bear Rainforest Kitimat, BC Cruise the fjords of one of Earth’s largest Masset, BC great wild rainforests, home to grizzly, black and spirit bears, whales and spectacular Sandspit, BC scenery.