North America, Western Canada

Gulf Islands in Fall - Discover Hundreds of Semi-Mediterranean Islands

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Sail Intricate Waterways Across Hundreds of Mild Islands

This small ship cruise explores the Gulf Islands, Canada, an archipelago of islands in the protected Salish Sea between Vancouver Island and the mainland of British Columbia. It is one of the world’s best small-boat cruising destinations. You’ll island hop in the National Park, visit wildlife colonies, walk the rainforest and rocky bluffs, and explore remote beaches and tiny islands.

Some departures may have slightly modified itineraries. Please confirm the itinerary with an Expedition Specialist.

Highlights

• Secluded Islands
Once the summer crowds begin to fade, fall is the perfect time to explore quiet towns and hundreds of islands off the roadmap.

• Unique Microclimate
Located in a rain shadow, the Gulf Islands have a unique semi-Mediterranean climate that keeps the region drier than the rest of the BC coast

• Diverse Landscapes
Some islands grow cacti, some great rainforests, and others host white shell beaches and meadows of wildflowers

• Nature’s Spectacle
Migrating birds, spawning salmon and marine mammals including seals, sea lions and orcas.

Days 1-3 Welcome Aboard!

Day 1: Orientation, cruising into the Gulf Islands, Canada. Seabird island visit, wildlife watching, porpioses. Anchorage at Saturna Island, southern point of the Gulf Islands Canada.

Day 2: Morning hike on Saturna Island, forest ecology learning. Cruising, beachcombing a remote island, sea lion and seabird haul out. Wild life viewing through the gulf islands

Day 3: Village visit, sailing in Georgia Strait and one of many channels in the area. Anchorage Prevost Island, within the Gulf Islands BC. Exploring the interidal life at low tide. Hike to view and mariner’s light.

Days 4-6 Island Exploration

Day 4: Cruising to either Wallace Island, Penelakut Island or other central Island. Historic and First Nations history. Wildflower meadows or mushroom, fall foliage highlighs, island anchorage. Optional kayak.

Day 5: Sailing, Russell Island anchorage, woodland shore walk and Kanaka history.

Day 6: Morning shore walk, cruising to port watching for wildlife.

Please note:

Itineraries are subject to change.

28 October, 2026 to 02 November, 2026
Maple Leaf

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Cabin

$3,700 CAD pp

Semi-Private Sleeping Areas The spacious main cabin is airy and divided by half-walls and heavy curtains into four berths, providing sleeping accommodations for eight guests. Each area contains large comfortable beds (six and a half feet long), space for your belongings, brass reading lamps, fluffy duvets and blankets. They have walls on two-and-a-half sides and thick, heavy curtains on the other one-and-a-half sides. There are three heads (washrooms) aboard, all with hot running water and shower conversions. If you are a solo traveller, you will be sharing one of the quarter berths with a same-sex solo traveller or you will be placed in our comfortable wheelhouse accommodations. Or, depending on the make-up of guests, our wheelhouse lounge seats convert into comfortable beds.

25 October, 2027 to 29 October, 2027
Maple Leaf

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Cabin

$3,850 CAD pp

Maple Leaf

Vessel Type: Schooner

Length: 92f / 28m

Passenger Capacity: 8

Maple Leaf is a 92-foot wooden schooner built in 1904, designed for intimate coastal exploration with a maximum of eight guests. She offers a deeply personal, human-scale experience that prioritises direct engagement with the natural world, accessing remote coastlines, rivers and anchorages unreachable by larger ships. Accommodation is simple but warm: four semi-private sleeping areas, shared washrooms, and communal spaces centred on conversation, observation and shared meals prepared onboard. Stability under sail, long range, and a highly experienced crew make her exceptionally capable despite her modest size.

Constructed from Douglas fir, yellow cedar and mahogany, Maple Leaf blends working-vessel toughness with Edwardian craftsmanship and modern functionality. Life on board revolves around open decks, zodiac landings, kayaking, wildlife observation and, for those inclined, hands-on sailing under crew guidance. Her long history — from luxury yacht to high-performing halibut fishing vessel to pioneering expedition ship — gives the experience a sense of continuity and authenticity. Travel aboard Maple Leaf is immersive, physically engaging, and deliberately unpolished, favouring depth, access and presence over luxury conventions.

Inclusions

• All meals, snacks and beverages prepared from the freshest ingredients by our superb chef.
• Fine wines featured with the evening meal, and a limited amount of beer included and available throughout the trip. (Liquor is not a large part of our trips, so plan on light consumption).
• Services of our naturalist and professional crew.
• Shore excursions.
• Use of gear on board, including rubber boots, kayaks and fishing gear (with fishing licence).
• All accommodations on your vessel and, on trips with a land day, in a local lodging.

Exclusions

• The price does not include transportation to or from the starting and ending points of the Maple Leaf, Swell, and Cascadia trips, except for flights from Vancouver to the start of Cascadia’s Haida Gwaii trips and trips with a current Flight Promotion.
• Canadian trips are subject to a 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST), while Alaska trips are exempt.
• There is also a sustainability fee of $200 added to each fare on booking.
• Tipping for the crew is not included and is confidential and at your discretion.
• Fishing licenses are not included and must be acquired by guests wanting to fish prior to their trip.