Mothership Adventures > BC Cruising Tours | Vancouver Island and the Inside Passage

Cruising the Inside Passage of BC

The perfect way to explore the British Columbia coast in comfort…

Clients Choose your area, choose your interests for a stimulating and informative holiday! In 2012 we are offering two Coastal History Adventures, an Acrylic Art Workshop and a Photography Workshop. What you'll see and do will depend on your choice of tour but you can always count on great food, excellent service, comfortable accommodation and beautiful surroundings. We’ll explore the remote areas of the BC coast while traveling with professional instructors and workshop leaders. They are sure to inspire you with their knowledge, experience and contagious enthusiasm for their field of expertise. What better way to cruise the coast than to learn and further your skills while experiencing the very channels the Columbia III has been safely plying for over 50 years.

Foredeck of Columbia III Painting and photographing the magnificent landscape is always comfortable from the spacious covered back deck, through the large salon windows, and from the captain’s bench in the wheelhouse. We are often treated to incredible displays of wildlife such as orcas, humpback whales, sea otters, seals, sea lions, porpoises, dolphins, bears, deer and seabirds.

Using our stable inflatable skiff for daily shore outings we can explore ancient First Nations village sites, visit remote communities accessible only by water, and investigate tide-pools and seabird nesting colonies. A hike in the rainforest or walk on a clamshell beach are enjoyable additions to a day of onboard instruction sessions on the Columbia III. You can join the group outings or relax by the fireplace with a good book. The Columbia III is always warm and cosy and awaits your return after the day’s excursions.

Mark Hobson Painting West Coast artist and naturalist Mark Hobson has given several fabulous watercolour workshops aboard the Columbia III. This year Mark will be joining us in the Great Bear Rainforest for an acrylic painting tour. As well as being an accomplished and renowned artist, Mark’s enthusiasm for coastal biology and natural history adds greatly to the tour’s educational opportunities.

Boomer Jerritt, one of BC's most accomplished photographers, is leading our 2012 Broughton Archipelago Photography Workshop. A multi-faceted visual artist, Boomer, along with being a photographer also produces original fine art pieces and teaches photography at the college level. His workshops are thoroughly engaging and lively! Boomer’s recent photographs can be admired in the book he co-authored with Ian Douglas: Campbell River, Gateway to the Inside Passage.

Port Neville Store For the last six years Jeanette Taylor has led our Coastal History Adventures in Desolation Sound, Bute Inlet and the Broughton Archipelago. During her first year aboard she helped us celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Columbia III. Jeanette’s tours are so popular because she combines her illimitable enthusiasm for history and storytelling with a lifetime of comprehensive research. This year she will join us for two tours, including our first exploration of Knight Inlet. In the fall of 2010, Jeanette published her latest book The Quadra Story, A History of Quadra Island.

The Columbia III is also available for charters. The possibilities are endless - celebrate a birthday or an anniversary, explore, paddle, hike and more, but one thing is certain, you'll have an excellent holiday.

"Thanks for an outstanding trip. The captain and crew were "above and beyond" to ensure everyone was happy. Great boat, great food, in the best place in the world. First class people running a first class operation. Highlight of the summer. Keep it coming."
- Kevin, Vancouver BC 2005

"Thanks again to the Campbell Family. A great coastal "experience" is created by your hospitality and an outstanding week of fun, laughter, and wildlife. You create memories and friendships that will last a lifetime. You keep the trip fun and are the role model experience that others should aspire to. Thank-you."
- Kevin (again!), Vancouver BC 2007

Cruising Tours are 3 - 6 days long and the cost is all inclusive (meals, wine, life jackets and guiding are all included). If there are off-ship activity costs such as museum admissions or First Nations feasts they are included as well. Just bring your personal gear and settle in for a real treat!

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