Maple Leaf Adventures is offering a quick getaway to explore the wild and unseen parts of the National Park Reserve in the Gulf Islands on a minicruise in October.
The three-night trip, aboard the 92-foot schooner Maple Leaf, explores far-flung parts of the island archipelago by day and anchors in quiet coves at night.
Maple Leaf usually has longer trips. But a rare window in their calendar allows the company to offer this short trip. It's an opportunity for people whose schedules or budgets don't stretch to a typical trip, but who'd like to experience a Maple Leaf adventure.
Highlights include remote islands not accessible by ferry, wildlife colonies, a historic farm settlement, and sailing with views of the islands spread out in a panorama across the Salish Sea.
Maple Leaf's local naturalist will talk about the natural history and human use of plants, and the crew will teach how to sail the Maple Leaf. Gourmet meals and snacks are prepared by the ship's chef. Optional activities include kayaking in quiet coves.
"People who have lived on the B.C. coast for years tell us that our trip has shown them a side of the islands they never imagined existed. There is so much of the true Gulf Islands that you can't see from road, town, or ferry," says Capt. Kevin Smith, Maple Leaf's president. "I've been exploring by boat all my life, and I've been lucky to find amazing, little-known places that I love to share with our guests."
The three-night, fourday trip runs Sunday, Oct. 21 to Wednesday, Oct. 24 and costs $1,390 plus tax per person, which includes all accommodations, meals, shore trips and use of gear on board.
Departure and return is from Port Sidney Marina in Sidney.
For more information, call 250-386-7245 or go to MapleLeafAdventures.com or info@MapleLeaf Adventures.com
