Trawler Training I - Inside Passage Explorer

Port Townsend to Port McNeill
May 28 - June 2, 2009

Trawler Training LessonsIn this instructional cruise from Port Townsend on the Olympic Peninsula to Port McNeill at the north end of Vancouver Island many different waters and situations can and will be encountered. Races (rapids), anchoring, docking, and dinghy handling are just some of the fun and games to be had along with the navigation, currents, and chart (paper and electronic) reading that takes place. These issues and more will be discussed and handled to make this a successful voyage. Trips ashore for exploration, bear watching, and whatever else (kayaking?) the group wishes to do are included in this 5 day voyage up the Inside Passage.

Check Schedule

Find out more about Ronn Patterson and Richard Foregger
Back to top of page

Trawler Training II - Inside Passage Explorer

Port McNeill to Ketchikan
June 3 - June 8, 2009

Trawler Training FunThis cruise continues where the 1st one ends. The objective, like the first part, is to help you gain the experience, skill, and confidence to navigate, explore, and carry out destination cruising. We enter a very remote part of Canada and have two open ocean crossings to add to the adventure. Generally we have time to stop in Prince Rupert on the Canadian mainland and other smaller, remote settings before we enter the US in Ketchikan. The scenery for both of these cruises is spectacular and, as with the first part, we’ll have time for hiking, etc. as well as the training aspect of the trip. Either of these cruises can be done alone, and a 15% discount on the total applies if both legs are reserved. Captains Patterson and Foregger carry USCG certification and both are excellent instructors.

Check Schedule

Find out more about Ronn Patterson and Richard Foregger
Back to top of page

Spirit Bears and Wilderness B.C. with Weldon Lee

Ketchikan to PortMcNeill
September 8 - September 17, 2009

Spirit BearBritish Columbia and southeastern Alaska will provide you with a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Not only is Johnstone Strait home to the resident orcas of Vancouver Island, this area also boasts a fascinating native culture. This stretch of the Inside Passage of northern British Columbia is brimming with wildlife.

It is a well-kept secret—or rather thousands of secrets. Princess Royal Island is the home of the white black bear, also called the kermode bear or Spirit bear. This is an area for those hankering to explore areas still unexplored. The island consists of a complex number of watersheds and inlets dominated by primeval ancient forests - each with their own personality. It is the home of abundant wildlife with characteristics of tameness similar to that of the Galapagos. We'll travel through Queen Charlotte Strait with potential feeding humpbacks and Orcas. Some of our best days with humpbacks and Pacific white-sided dolphins have occurred here.

Check Schedule

Find out more about Weldon Lee
Back to top of page

Orcas, Orcas, Orcas with The SeaDoc Society

Port McNeill to Friday Harbor
September 19 - September27, 2009

OrcaMore orcas inhabit this region than exist in the rest of British Columbia and southeast Alaska combined! This cruise spends time with resident orcas at two communities as well as the transient orcas in between. The northern resident community is near Johnstone Strait and the southern resident community is near Friday Harbor, Washington. This region, the top of Vancouver Island to Friday Harbor, is the heart of a strong native culture with well-developed art, religion and social structure.

The setting is one of unbelievable beauty - deep green bays rimmed by forests and mountains, punctuated by the black and white of the Orca whale. We will spend as much time as possible with the Orcas, visit bird pinniped rookeries and go ashore for brief hikes and beach combing. We will also make special visit to the wonderful native museums.

Check Schedule

Find out more about The SeaDoc Society
Back to top of page


British Columbia

Dolphin Charters operates under permit from the Tongass National Forest.

NOTE: All itineraries and schedules are subject to change based on weather conditions and the captain's discretion.

List of Trips