NEXT ADVENTURE
8 LEFT!
June 7th - 18th
Orientation at 3pm Friday, June 7th
Pre-board & Check-out at 5pm Friday, June 7th
Disembark at 3pm Tuesday, June 18th
Come explore the fjords of British Columbia, wine and dine in the San Juan Islands and bask in the tranquil majesty of Princess Louisa Inlet. Our exclusive guided flotilla takes you through the San Juan Islands, Canadian Gulf Islands and into the revered Princess Louisa Inlet. On the way you'll stay in secluded anchorages, visit charming towns, enjoy fresh seafood and meet like minded cruisers. The spectacular scenery, exceptional wildlife and protected waters make this truly a boater’s paradise! Now you can enjoy this incredible cruising destination with the camaraderie of the flotilla and the support of a lead boat complete with a Coast Guard licensed Skipper, a certified Marine Technician and a Pacific Northwest focused Naturalist. Take all of the stress out of boating and enjoy nothing but the relaxation and serenity that this area has to offer!
ADVENTURES
UnforgettableEXPERIENCES
Cruise through BC's Stunning Fjords
Expand your cruising knowledge as we navigate our way from Bellingham, WA through the San Juan Islands, across the national border into Canada, over the strait of Georgia, into the fjord of Jervis inlet and through the narrow, Malibu rapids to reach the revered Princess Louisa Inlet. This tranquil anchorage is worth the trek! We'll spend two nights enjoying this special destination and the unmatched beauty of the area. Along the way, our exclusive flotilla takes you around the San Juan & Canadian Gulf Islands—many of which are completely secluded and only accessible by private boat. Lounge on your yacht’s open-air deck with an evening cocktail, walk through moss covered ancient forests, visit the unique communities that thrive among the islands, and learn about the natural history, wildlife and indigenous people of the area.
There’s no better way to experience Princess Louisa Inlet than with our flotilla—reserve your spot today.
Explore
San Juans, Gulf Islands, & Princess Louisa
Your flotilla takes you to a new destination almost every day: enjoy an invigorating hike on Newcastle Island, get a hot stone massage while at Rosario Resort, dine on fresh seafood with a waterfront view in Roche Harbor, visit the eclectic Saturday market in Ganges, roast marshmallows over a campfire with new friends on Sucia Island. Spend two relaxing days in Princess Louisa Inlet, soaking in the incredible scenery and exploring the area by kayak, dinghy and on foot.
Connect
With Loved Ones
Time and time again we hear that our flotillas are the most romantic experience in a couple’s life. And we don’t doubt it. Nothing does more for a relationship than some fresh ocean air and a much-needed escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life—no cellphones, no computers, and no rushing around. Whether you book a trip with friends, family, or your partner—this trip offers the peace, laughter, and adventure you need to reconnect with the people you love, and have a fantastic time doing it.
See
Bald Eagles, Seals, Sea Lions, & Whales
The Salish Sea is home to a wonderful diversity of wildlife. As we cruise, expect to see a variety of seabirds, porpoises, Sea lions, Harbor seals, Bald eagles, Oyster catchers, and Great Blue Herons. Hopefully, we'll also have the opportunity to see some of the whale species that reside in these waters, specifically Humpback, Minke and Orca whales. In fact, there is a distinct population of 75 killer whales that is often seen in this area in large pods of around 30 whales. Your naturalist will help you to spot wildlife and to understand more about how this unique ecosystem functions. You can also take advantage of some of the best fishing in the region: Lingcod, Pacific Halibut, and Sockeye Salmon are abundant in the area during June and July. There are additional options for crabbing and gathering shellfish.
Captain
Your Own Luxury Yacht
Enjoy a pristine, freshly-varnished yacht, with spa-quality linens, a professional-grade kitchen, and a private sitting area—complete with all the sunsets and glasses of wine you can handle. The icing on the cake? You get it all to yourself. Our fleet of Grand Banks yachts--which are all at least 42-feet long--are some of the best in the business; each boat undergoes an extensive 18-page checklist that ensures you get to skipper a near-perfect yacht.
Take Advantage
Of Your Own Personal Crew
Whether you’re a seasoned captain or new to the boating world, the NW Explorations team will make your trip seamless. The lead boat—skippered by a U.S. Coast Guard licensed captain—travels with you the entire way, giving you tips, training, and keeping your itinerary on track. The NWE team helps with whatever you need, whether it's finding the best restaurant in town or making sure your boat is stocked with your favorite kitchen gadgets. Lastly, our certified naturalist will narrate key sightseeing spots, explain the history of local cultures and indigenous tribes, and pinpoint rare wildlife.
QUOTATIONS
What’s the difference between a vacation and an adventure? Having the experience of the NW Explorations flotilla team surely helps. The expertise is more than just how to run a boat; NW Explorations has unmatched expertise in elevating ‘ordinary’ boating into an adventure.
Of all the charter companies we have dealt with, these guys were head and shoulder above anyone we have ever dealt with. I highly recommend them if you ever consider a bareboat in the PNW.
We have chartered with NWE nine times now and CoL (Change of Latitude) is the best equipped boat we’ve used. Kirk was impressed by the spotless engine room and premium navigation equipment. I appreciated the quality cookware and little touches. Well done!
GALLERY
MAGAZINE REVIEWS
Our home for the week was Mystic Eagle. With three cabins and two heads, a beautiful main saloon and galley (and a washer and dryer), she was plenty spacious and quite comfortable for all of us. Special touches like a welcome bottle of wine, itinerary assistance and real personal attention make NW Explorations a great company to work with.
By joining NW Explorations on one of the company’s guided flotillas, you will be embarking on an adventure with fellow cruisers–and have the comfort of knowing an experienced captain is aboard the lead vessel. Along the way, you’ll hear from the lead boat regarding native culture, local history, and wildlife. Once the flotilla arrives at an anchorage, you have the option of participating in guided on-shore and dinghy explorations, or relaxing in your chartered Grand Banks yacht. NW Explorations is a first-class operation, but you don’t have to take my word for it. Consider the fact that 70% of their charters are taken by repeat customers.
REVIEWS
QUESTIONS
Especially for some of the longer legs we offer, guests often fly in and out to join our charter clients for portions of their trip. There are certainly locations along the way where scheduled flights facilitate this happening. In other cases, we must employ the assistance of chartered float planes. There is always a way to make “crew changes” happen along the way!
Each of our legs has a detailed itinerary which will specify areas that have cellular and/or Internet service to help our clients plan ahead if they will need to check in with family or business while away.
The flotilla price includes the rental of the vessel, insurance, moorage fees, and the support of the lead vessel, Deception. The lead vessel has a USCG licensed captain, a marine technician, and a naturalist. Our crew will be there to catch your lines, assist with any maneuvering needs, communicate over VHF on wildlife sightings/important sites, and even collect your garbage & recycling at the end of each day! Fuel and provisions are at the expense of the client as well as transportation costs getting to and from the specific port of call in which your vessel is moored.
Each leg has a detailed itinerary which will specify locations where provisioning opportunities will be available. We do recommend for those legs that originate in Washington or Alaska and cross into Canada shortly thereafter to wait and purchase their fruits and vegetables until they have crossed into Canada. Certain restrictions apply and can change regarding these items.
CANCELLATION FEES: (1) All cancellations must be received in writing. (2) Final payment is due 120 days prior to your departure date. If you must cancel your charter, the following terms shall apply:
Greater than 365 days: Cancellation fee of $150 per week, no proration
- 120 – 365 days: 50% of reservation deposit
- 119 – 90 days: Entire reservation deposit
- 89 – 0 days: Entire charter fee
Each flotilla participant is asked to fill out a Medical & Emergency Form. The purpose of this form is to provide the crew on the lead boat with valuable information to use in the case of an emergency. To the extent that the crew is able to assist, they will make every effort to do so. For those situations that are outside our level of training, we have VHF radios and a satellite phone that allow us to be in constant communication with the US Coast Guard. Although it is not a situation that we anticipate or hope for our clients to have, we are prepared to make arrangements to have guests flown out to receive medical treatment if needed.
