A new summer yacht tour sets sail in Vancouver starting this month

If you’ve always wanted to book a private yacht tour for you and your friends, this is your opportunity to do just that. The Vancouver Maritime Museum has officially partnered with Vancouver by Sea to launch a new, immersive sailing experience that explores Vancouver’s fascinating maritime past and present, and the views alone are well worth it.

Aptly named the Vancouver Maritime Experience, the small-group journey spans three hours total, beginning at the Museum and then journeying across Vancouver’s beautiful harbour for two hours of sailing.

“This partnership allows us to extend the museum experience beyond our walls,” shares Vancouver Maritime Museum’s executive director, David Jordan. “Visitors don’t just learn about Vancouver’s maritime history — they experience it firsthand, from the same waters that have shaped the city for generations.”

The curated museum-to-sea experience begins before guests even hit the water. First, they’ll be able to step onto St. Roch, a historic vessel that once served as an Arctic supply and patrol vessel for the R.C.M.P. Now a National Historic Site, St. Roch will showcase various maritime stories of life on the water.

With light historical narration provided throughout the visit, guests will gain a deeper understanding of the city’s working waterfront, shoreline features, and iconic maritime landmarks, according to the Museum.

Guests will then transition to the sailing yacht to take to the water and experience Vancouver’s maritime history for themselves.

Sailings are available on select Thursdays and Sundays this summer, with morning and afternoon sessions available. Timing and routes will be adapted daily, based on weather and marine conditions.

The yacht tour itself will be operated by Canada’s largest sailing school, MacSailing, which has been based on Vancouver’s waterfront since 1999. As such, skippers — or the captains of the vessels — are professionally trained and experienced.

Ready to see Vancouver from a whole new perspective? The intimate yacht experience is $1,099 per group, with up to eight passengers permitted. Split eight ways, that comes to just under $140 per person. Still a splurge, but definitely worth it if you’re already eyeing private boat tour experiences, which typically operate a shorter journey for the same price range.

Note that sparkling and still refreshments are included.

Once you rally together your small group of friends, you can book the experience online.

Looking for other ways to get out on the water this summer? Consider adding the Museum’s heritage cruise to Bowen Island to your bucket list!

Happy sailing.

When: Select Thursdays and Sundays in June, July, August, and September
Time: 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., or 2 to 5 p.m.
Where: The yacht departs from Vancouver Maritime Museum — 1905 Ogden Ave., Vancouver
Cost: $1,099 per group (up to eight passengers)

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