Island Cruising on Shaw TV

Island Cruising was recently filmed for 'The Daily', a show on Shaw TV, which profiles events and happenings in the Greater Victoria area. This was a really exciting opportunity for us to show people across Canada what they can expect when they plan their cruising vacation with us. Check out our video below - kick off your shoes and relax aboard "Growltiger," for an exhilarating glimpse of sailing in one of the most beautiful regions in the world.
Fair Winds and Calm Seas
Sharon
Island Cruising

Why Vancouver Island Snorkeling and Diving?

Why Vancouver Island Snorkeling and Diving?
Some interesting and unique tours are offered here on the Island - join a guide and snorkle with salmon, or swim with seals. Some excellent diving charters are operated where you'll definitely see Giant Pacific octopus and wolf eels, and the rare 6-gill shark that can grow to over 20 ft, inhabiting the areas around south Denman and Hornby Islands.
Vancouver Island diving offers some pretty interesting underwater topography, from rocky outcrops to sandy seabeds. There's also has a handful of decent artificial reefs that have been sunk for divers to explore, including a couple of Boeing 737's located off the eastern shores of the Island.

Other popular dive sites include Jedediah Island, Madrona Point and Nanoose Bay.

When's The Best Time To Go?
Winter is prime season for Vancouver Island diving. The Island's sea life is vibrant and plentiful year round, but local divers prefer winter. That's when the view-obscuring plankton dies off and visibility can reach 150 feet, with water clarity rivaling that of the most popular Caribbean dive sites (but not as warm!)
Underwater viewing distances from fall to spring is about 80 to 100 feet.

Save On Foods Van Isle 360 International Yacht Race

"Welcome to the 2011 Van Isle 360

International Yacht Race

The Van Isle 360 is a biennial, 580 nm. point to point race circumnavigating wild and rugged Vancouver Island, B.C. Sailed in ten legs the course provides inshore, offshore and overnight legs through some of the world's most challenging and beautiful waters.
Next Race - June 4 - 18, 2011

2011 Van Isle 360 - June 4 - 18, 2011

Tuesday Nov. 9 - 2011. We are working on the 2011 Entry Applications and Notice of Race and hope to have these ready by the end of the month. Please contact the race office to ensure you are on the contact list to receive updates as they become available. Stay tuned, more exciting news to come."

Polar Bear Cruise

We have some brave committed winter sailors going out on a cruise this week end. Can anyone submit some GOOD HEARTY meals they can prepare on their yacht??

How about submitting your best Polar Bear Cruise pictures too!!

VIC- MAUI 2012

The Royal Vancouver Yacht Club and the Lahaina Yacht Club are pleased to announce the 2012 Vic-Maui International Yacht Race.

The 2012 Vic-Maui race, the 23 edition of this ocean racing classic, will start from Victoria, B.C. Class starts will be staggered, with starts as early as June 28, 2012. The race will finish near Lahaina, Maui, a great circle route distance of 2308 nautical miles.

Vic-Maui, first contested in 1968 and runs every second year since, is the pinnacle of Pacific Northwest ocean racing. The Vic-Maui race challenges sailors to demonstate thier skills by beating out of the Juan De Fuca Strait, reaching around the Pacific High Pressure zone and running the trades to Hawaii. The 2010 Vic-Maui enjoyed excellent wind conditions, with line honors captured by a 35 foot high performance cruiser which finished in just 11 days and 15 hours.Overall win earned by a 48 foot performance cruiser which finished in twelve days and twelve hours. Vic-Maui records are waiting to be broken in 2012!

The adventure begins during the long daysof mid summer and each day of the passage south towards the tropics brings warmer temperatures. The days pass quickly with the fleet surrounded by dolphins and albatross, spectacular sunrises, sunsets and brillant star nights. teamwork gets the boats to the finish line near Lahaina, where day or night, each ariving yacht is greeted with the outstanding Hawaiian welcoming party.

LET ISLAND CRUISING BOOK YOUR TROPICAL YACHT CHARTER FOR YOU!

Dreaming of warm weather, diving into clear blue water and exploring diverse islands and landscapes? Let Island Cruising book your tropical yacht charter for you!!

Wether it is the tranquil anchorages, picture perfect beaches of the Caribbean, the isolation and stunning beauty of the Far East, the diversity of coastlines and cultures the Mediterranean has to offer or the swaying palms, coral lagoons, shimmering turquoise seas of the South Pacific , we can find you the perfect yacht for your adventure!!

Call: 1-800-663-5311 or www.islandcruising.com

St. Vincent and the Gredadines

St. Vincent and the Grenadines was named as the Best Sailing and Yachting Islands of the Year by Caribbean World Travel Magazines. Let us arrange your winter sailing vacation and see yourself why these islands are voted the best for sailing, diving, snorkeing and relaxing.

Sail-World.com : 67-year-old grandmother starts solo non-stop circumnavigation today

Sail-World.com : 67-year-old grandmother starts solo non-stop circumnavigation today: "67-year-old grandmother starts solo non-stop circumnavigation today


'Jeanne Socrates - starts today' .
Today is the day for Jeanne Socrates, 67-year-old grandmother, to begin her solo non-stop circumnavigation.

She's been held up by the weather for a few days, but today she is to be towed to her start line at Canada's Victoria Harbour entrance to be ready to sail away around 4pm local time.

Her attempt is being recorded by the World Speed Sailing Record Council, and for that she carries a 'black box' to record her attempt.

She says today she is expecting west wind over strong (Springs) ebb tide from Race Rock westward, so will have rough water, but a 'push' in right direction initially, with difficult sailing out of Strait of Juan de Fuca.

That's a calculation, and by late Tuesday, she thinks the storm that has kept her from starting should have abated. She needs to get away south from Canada before the winter gales start in earnest.

Of course attempting to sail single-handed and non-stop around the world may not be the typical behaviour of a 67-year-old grandmother."