Offering Two Styles of Family Cruising
With the option of either chartering the whole ship, or joining other guests on a regular trip (max. 9 guests), Maple Leaf Adventures will ensure that your family receives the quality adventure you are seeking.
Our family adventure holidays in Canada are active family vacations and they are customized to your family’s age, interests, and enjoyments.
Imagine an odyssey by sailing ship, through one of the planet's greatest nature reserves: Alaska & British Columbia's Inside Passage.
The places you can explore with us...
Wild beauty, seabirds, and ancient culture of Haida Gwaii (formerly the Queen Charlotte Islands).
Glaciers, wilderness, and marine mammals of the Alaska Supervoyage.
Whales, elders, and history of Whales and Totems of the Rainforest.
Wildflowers, coastal hikes, and culture of the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve.
Warm lakes, beachcombing, and sailing with the Desolation Sound Family Adventure.
Skip trip features - go to this year's trip dates
Questions, or like to speak to a real person? Email us or phone toll free (1-888-599-5323) today!
THE FLAVOR OF OUR ADVENTURES:
Sailing, Shore Time, Hiking, Wildlife Viewing & Villages
You and your family will cruise the coastal islands, go ashore frequently and discover the nature, wildlife, and culture of the coast. View whales up close, hike the rainforest with your engaging naturalist, hear the history of coastal First Nations in an ancient village site with an elder as your guide. More details on these active family vacations are below.
Expert Guides, Superb Meals... Just Relax and Enjoy
Maple Leaf Adventures’ award-winning crew of experts will take away the stress of logistics management. Our family adventures give you time for fun, quality time and ... relaxation!
Our guides take you to the best places on the coast, while the Maple Leaf chef prepares outstanding meals for all ages. We are trained experts in wildlife viewing and in teaching teams of youths, adults and families to sail the Maple Leaf together.
A Wilderness Classroom for All Age Groups
Our superb naturalists are active in coastal research and make exceptional teachers. Their humor, curiosity, and passion for natural education draw in students of all ages, disguising the absorption of knowledge with fun and adventure. School-age children often create school reports and projects from the experiences and insight gained on their adventures aboard Maple Leaf.
The variety of activities on a Maple Leaf trip is perfect for multi-generational family holidays. These include:
- wildlife viewing (whales, seabirds, porpoise, sea lions, seals, bears)
- sailing
- shore time in the rainforest
- remote beachcombing
- exploring the creatures of the intertidal and subtidal zone (sea stars, crabs, anemones)
- hotsprings, glaciers, icebergs
- fishing
- guided nature exploration
- kayaking
- zodiac rides
- learning about the ship and navigation from the crew
- exploring ancient villages
Also:
- steer the ship
- climb the bowsprit
- meet First Nation elders
- photograph humpback whales
- speak with researchers in the field
Maple Leaf Adventures has
strong relationships with leaders and scientists along the coast to give you a top-quality experience.
Wildlife, Nature, Culture
Each trip is in a peak area and season for nature, wildlife and cultural experiences, and is based on Maple Leaf’s internationally recognized adventure cruises. See below for trip area details.
Active Vacations - Customized to Your Family
Our guides will use their expert area knowledge and relationships to tailor the trip to your family’s interests. From forested hikes to lakes for swimming, wildlife viewing and listening to whales, and sailing the schooner Maple Leaf as a team, there are many avenues for family bonding.
Time Away from Everyday Distractions
For decades, people have told us how a family adventure holiday in Canada on the Maple Leaf provides a magical time together, away from the distractions of everyday life.
2012 Family Adventure Holidays in Canada & Active Family Vacations
Haida Gwaii Adventure | Alaska | Whales & Totems | Desolation Sound | Spring Break Gulf Islands
Haida Gwaii / Queen Charlotte Islands
May 7-15 & 16-24, May 25-Jun 2, Jun 4-12 & 13-21
Rated the #1 national park in N. Amercia by National Geographic
This archipelago of 140 islands is home to abundant marine life and the powerful Haida culture. Whales, seabirds, and other marine mammals are numerous. Rainforests tower over the remote beaches while hot springs and sailing are trip highlights. Visits to Gwaii Haanas National Park and Haida Heritage Site and Haida villages, both modern and ancient, are unforgettable.
See the trip description or brochure for details, maps, and photos.
Or call us anytime to discuss how Maple Leaf Adventures can make your group's trip special.
- May 7-15 & 16-24, May 25-Jun 2, Jun 4-12 & 13-21, 9 days/8 nights
- $4,640 for regular trip price per person, or full ship charter (6 to 8 people) $37,120
- + sustainability fee & tax
- Up to 2 additional people for $2000 each - contact us for details.
- Includes all accommodations, all gourmet meals and snacks, all beverages incl. wine & beer, all shore excursions, and use of gear on board including kayaks.
- >> BOOK / INQUIRE about this trip
Alaska Inside Passage Family Adventure
Jul 7-19 & 19-31
Explore the glaciers, rainforests and wildlife of Alaska's magnificent Inside Passage with Maple Leaf's expert naturalists and guides. Whale watching, bear viewing, beachcombing and sailing the tall ship as a team are highlights, as are visits to historic Alaskan towns including Ketchikan and Petersburg.
See the trip description or brochure for details, maps, and photos.
Or call us anytime to discuss how Maple Leaf Adventures can make your group's trip special.
- Jul 7-19 & 19-31, 13 days/12 nights
- $6,780 for regular trip price or full ship charter (6 to 8 people) $54,240
- Plus sustainability fee & tax.
- Includes all accommodations, all gourmet meals and snacks, all beverages incl. wine & beer, all shore excursions, and use of gear on board including kayaks.
- Up to 2 additional people for $2500 each - contact us for details.
- >> BOOK / INQUIRE about this trip
Whales & Totems Adventure - Vancouver Is. & beyond
Aug 15-20 & 22-27, Oct 8-13
There is a special place to which the family lines of Northern Resident Killer Whales return each year; it is the Broughton Archipelago, a network of 200+ islands and protected channels beside BC’s fjords. The area is also popular with other cetaceans: dolphins, porpoises, humpback and minke whales. On this trip you’ll sail and cruise the channels, view and listen to the whales, visit remote floating communities, walk the rainforest, and visit First Nations village sites, both new and old, including a private guided tour of U’mista cultural centre.
See the trip description or brochure for details, maps, and photos.
Or call us anytime to discuss how Maple Leaf Adventures can make your group's trip special.
- Aug 15-20 & 22-27, Oct 8-13, 6 days/5 nights
- $2825 per person for regular trip price, or full ship charter (6 to 8 people) $22,600
- Plus sustainability fee & tax
- Includes all accommodations, all gourmet meals and snacks, all beverages incl. wine & beer, all shore excursions, and use of gear on board including kayaks.
- Up to 2 additional people for $1500 each - contact us for details.
- >> BOOK / INQUIRE about this trip
Desolation Sound Family Adventure
Contact us for dates.
Desolation Sound is one of the world’s most popular cruising areas. Hundreds of sun-warmed islands lie in a protected sea between Vancouver Island and the snowy peaks of the Coast mountain range. Hiking, swimming, beachcombing, sailing, fishing and wildlife viewing are all highlights of trips in Desolation Sound, as well as the opportunity to visit island villages that are home to artists and craftspeople.
Ask about combining this trip with a Whales & Totems trip for a “best of” adventure cruise.
Spring Break in the Gulf Islands, BC, Family Adventure
Mar. 29 - Apr. 3, Apr. 5 - 1, Apr11-16 ( call for other dates)
While the rest of the north is still clothed in winter's blanket, BC's warm Gulf Islands are already well into spring. Wildflower meadows burst with blossoms, migrating birds feed in coves and bays, marine mammals patrol the calm waters and the forest rings with birdsong. Sail among the 200+ islands, hike to spectacular views, visit the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, beachcomb and discover the intertidal life that clings to the rocks. The Gulf Islands is the perfect natural escape - for fun, rejuvenation and adventure.
- Mar. 29-Apr. 3, Apr. 4-9 (or call about other dates), 6 days /5 nights
- $2,225 per person for regular trip price, or full ship charter (6 to 8 people) for $17,800
- Plus sustainability fee & tax
- Includes all accommodations, all gourmet meals and snacks, all beverages incl. wine & beer, all shore excursions, and use of gear on board including kayaks.
- Up to 2 additional people for $1100 each - contact us for details.
- >> BOOK / INQUIRE about this trip
Looking for Different Dates?
We have several trips in summertime set aside for family/friends private charters. They are outlined here. If you’d like to go at a different time, you can reserve one of our other scheduled trips. See the Schedule & Pricing for dates. Advance planning is required!
What Guests Have Said About Family Adventure Holidays in Canada with Maple Leaf
“You’ve not only met my expectations - you’ve exceeded them. People speak of ‘the trip of a lifetime’ and on behalf of my family I would like to say our days together have been that.”
- Skip Elworthy, Ontario
“That was my first time to Haida Gwaii! It was the best trip I’ve ever been on! Even better than Disneyland!"
– Samantha Patrick, age 8, B.C.
“Thank you so much. This has been an amazing trip and it will stay with me forever.”
-Amy Loewen, age 13, Manitoba
