Note: This itinerary is intended to give you a general idea of what we will do and visit. We may alter it slightly if the weather (or fantastic encounters with wildlife) dictate. This area has so many highlights that there are always plenty of options available.

Click here to veiw area map.

Day 1
Board at Sidney, B.C., 2 p.m.
Cruising Gulf Islands and Saanich Inlet
Beer tasting and lecture with B.C. micro-brew "elder" Paul Hadfield.
Introduction to world of beers, brewing history
Anchorage: Saanich inlet

Day 2
Cruising through Gulf Islands and Samsun Narrows
Salt Spring Island shore walk, history of "Lady Godiva" and Salt Spring land preservation
Cruising to Nanaimo
Nanaimo History
Pairing food and beer
Private brewery tour, tasting and dinner Longwood Brew Pub
Anchorage: Protection Island

Day 3
Mid-Vancouver Island's Brew History
Pubs, saloons and prohibition
Fat Cat Brewery tour and tastings (Nanaimo area)
Lunch and tour at Crow & Gate Pub (historical significance)
Cruising to Galiano Island Anchorage: Galiano Island

Day 4
Off the Beaten Track: Wildlife and Secret Islets
Includes wildlife viewing, cruising, shore walks, optional kayaking
Natural history information
Anchorage: Saturna Island

Day 5
Scenic shore walk, Saturna Island
Sailing in Boundary Pass, with possible wildlife viewing
Gulf Islands Brewery tour and tastings
Dinner aboard with Salt Spring Island feast
Anchorage: Salt Spring Island.

Day 6
Breakfast and farewell preparations
Disembark, noon, at Sidney.

All beers sampled are superb micro-brews, and include pale, Scottish and brown ales, wheat beers, lagers, porters, stouts, alt beer, kolsch, bock and a few goodies thrown in. Each beer is different in character as the local brewmasters put their stamp on them.