Vic-Maui

The Victoria to Maui Race offically starts this Thursday, July 1 at 10:00 a.m. in the Victoria Inner Harbour. Come down and watch the start of the race and enjoy the actvities going on in the harbour to celebrate the starting of the race.

Yachtmaster offshore Cruise n' Learn from Maui to Victoria

We still have a couple of spots on this exciting trip. Join our instructor for this voyage of a lifetime, and get your Yachtmaster Offshore certification at the same time.
Vic-Maui challenges navigators to demonstrate their weather routing and navigational skills. Understanding the weather is critical when making decisions on navigating out of the Straits of Juan De Fuca and along the Washington, Oregon and Northern California coasts to get to the trade winds first. Success depends on the navigators skill in predicting where the Pacific High pressure zone will be.

Departs Maui on or about July 26. $4,995 per person.
Visit Vic-Maui's offical website: http://www.vicmaui.org/

Contact us for more information!

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Cruising destinations: Pender Island

Pender Island is actually comprised of two separate islands. Although, North Pender Island and South Pender Island were originally connected by a narrow strip of land, the isthmus was dredged in 1902 to allow the ferry to travel from Hope Bay (on the East side of the North Island) through the sheltered waters of Bedwell Harbour on its way to Sidney. Suprisingly, the bridge connecting the two islands was only built 53 years later, in 1955!

Things to see and do: Anchor at the Beaumont Marine Park and hike up Mt. Norman (typically takes one hour). Explore the Medicine Beach Nature Sanctuary, which is one of the last remaining wetland areas in the region. Play 27 holes of frisbee golf at the Golf Island Disc Park. Although the course features a bumpy landscape and many trees, it makes for a beautiful walk through the woods! Visit the Pender Island Museum, and find out more about the rich history of the Penders. Join Pender Island Kayak Adventures on a kayaking tour and explore the hundreds of bays and beaches that make up the 38 miles of coastline.

Marinas and anchorages: Poets Cove Resort and Spa is synonymous with a visit to the Pender Islands. Featuring a fantastic restaurant, a casual pub, an in-house spa (that offers some treatments, such as back massages, in the comfort of your own boat) and a hot tub & swimming pool, Poets Cove is a favourite among boaters! Another great marina is the Otter Bay Marina, which offers bicycle and scooter rentals, laundry, volleyball, badminton, a horseshoe pit, and a kids playground! Moorage is also available at Port Browning Marina and includes the use of the swimming pool. Mooring buoys and anchoring are avaliable at the Beaumont Marine Park, Medicine Beach Nature Sanctuary, Thieves Bay, Hope Bay and Otter Bay.

Hazards in the area: With its low topography and position in the shadow of the Olympic Mountain range, Pender Island is protected from storms and receives much less precipitation than the surrounding areas. One hazard to be aware of: there are some rocks along the west side of the breakwater at Thieves Bay. The area is marked well with many black buoys.

Diving News!

Island Diving
Summers here and its time to get certified!
PADI OPEN WATER course starting June 21.
$399.00 per person

Ever thought about diving, but not sure if you will like it? Heres your chance!
PADI Discover Scuba Diving Course - $35.00 per person
Learn the basics and theory of diving, how to use and set up the gear and expierence breathing under water.

Summers just around the corner get certified now so you can enjoy a full season of diving, if your already certified get your friends and family certified now!
Refer a friend and recieve a FREE tank and dry sit rental.

Daily Dive charters this summer to HMCS Mackenzie, GB Church and several other dive sites.

Let us know what your diving needs will be this summer!
For more information: www.islanddiving.com - 1-778-426-3483 - info@islanddiving.ca

Cruising destinations: Saanich Inlet

The 12 mile inlet that cuts into Vancouver Island is a perfect place to relax with its calm waters and light winds. Boat traffic is minimal in the inlet.

Things to see and do: Visit the award winning French restaurant, the Deep Cove Chalet. With its outstanding menu and gold medal winning wine cellar, you are sure to have a meal to remember! Anchor your boat out in the bay and tender in with your dinghy, or tie up at the Deep Cove Marina and staff from the restaurant will pick you up in their limousine. There are also a few wineries to visit on the Saanich Peninula: Muse Winery, located behind the Deep Cove Chalet, produces award winning, hand crafted wines. Wine tastings, wine terrace, bistro & gift shop open during summer months. Further up the Inlet, another small inlet breaks off: Tod Inlet. Here you can anchor your yacht and take your dinghy to the Butchart Gardens' dock. Stop in for high tea and visit the 50 acres of beautiful floral displays. Enjoy the fireworks display from the comfort of your yacht, or for a better view, bring a picnic blanket and stay late at the gardens. At the end of Tod Inlet, you can access the Gowlland Tod Provincial Park with 25 km of good hiking trails.

Marinas and anchorages: Brentwood Bay Marina is a 40-slip marina with great on-site facilities, including washrooms, showers, laundry, a fitness room, pool, an adult's only hot tub, and cable TV. There is also an elegant restaurant and spa a short walk from the docks. Anglers Anchorage Marina also offers transient moorage and is walking distance to the village of Brentwood where you can find all amenities. Alternatively, anchor in the heart of Tod Inlet for some peace and quiet - perfect for those looking to relax in a pristine, natural environment!

Hazards in the area: The Inlet is very sheltered and during the summer months is typically quite calm with light winds. When entering the Inlet stay well off the coast, and be aware of Wains Rock 0.2 miles off Moses Point (refer to chart 3441). When coming into Brentwood Bay Marina approach the docks from the north side, keeping the red Buoy on the starboard. Buoy marks dangerous rocks.

Cruising the Gulf Islands

Some very popular boating areas in British Columbia are the Gulf Islands. The islands are protected from the winds and rains of the west coast and marine life is abundant. During the summer, you might see killer whales, seal lions, harbour seals and porpoises. Blue herons, Canada geese, bald eagles, grebes and cormorants make up the bird species found on the Gulf Islands and surrounding waters. In and around this region, are over a dozen marine parks, designated for public use. Some offer small craft floats, buoys, interesting hiking trails, picnic and sanitation facilities. To protect and study the plant, mammal and bird life many places are set aside as ecological reserves. Please respect these fragile areas. Summer weather in the Gulf Island region means mornings of calm winds and seas. The afternoons can bring westerly winds and choppy conditions. It is a good idea to do your boat cruising in the mornings.
To Read more go to http://www.bcadventure.com/adventure/boating/island/cruz.html