Salish Sea Journey
A guided cultural experience blending Indigenous storytelling and marine ecology, delivered in partnership with Talaysay Tours. Travel along the coastline by canoe while learning how the Salish Sea has shaped life, culture, and connection to place.
Why this sail
Guided Indigenous storytelling
Learn directly through stories that share Indigenous perspectives on land, water, and the Salish Sea.Canoe journey along the coastline
Travel quietly by canoe, following traditional routes that emphasize relationship with the water and shoreline.Connection between culture and ecology
Stories are woven together with insights into marine life, coastal ecosystems, and seasonal rhythms.Delivered in partnership with Talaysay Tours
This experience is led with care, authenticity, and respect, grounded in living culture and place-based knowledge.Meaningful and reflective
Designed to deepen understanding and appreciation rather than rush from point to point.
Starting at
$145 per person
Dates
May 1 - September 30, 2026
Duration
3 hours
Style
Small groups of 12 or Private
Perfect for
Curious travellers, families, educators, locals, and guests seeking deeper cultural context
What’s Included
Indigenous cultural guide
Canoes and paddles
Safety equipment
Cultural storytelling and interpretation
The Experience
This journey is about listening, learning, and moving with intention.
From the moment you launch, the pace slows. As you paddle along the coastline, stories unfold—connecting the land, water, and people through time. The canoe creates a quiet, respectful space for reflection and conversation.
The route follows sheltered coastal waters, with time to pause, observe, and absorb both the landscape and the meaning carried within it.
Culture, Nature & Respect
This experience is guided by values of respect and relationship.
Stories are shared with care and cultural context
Nature is observed without disturbance
The journey emphasizes listening rather than performance
This is an opportunity to experience the Salish Sea through a different lens—one rooted in place, memory, and continuity.
How the Sail Unfolds
Each journey is shaped by weather, tides, and group dynamics. While no two outings are the same, most include:
Shoreline welcome
An introduction to the journey and its cultural context.
Canoe launch
A smooth transition from shore to water.
Story-led coastal travel
Paddling interwoven with storytelling and reflection.
Quiet pauses on the water
Time to listen, observe, and ask questions.
Return paddle
A gentle return along the shoreline.
Choose Your Booking Type
This experience is available as a scheduled group sail or as a private booking. Group sails offer a relaxed, social way to enjoy the harbour at our most accessible price, while private bookings give you exclusive use of the boat with a flexible pace and focus for your group.
Trust & Safety
This experience is operated by MacSailing, Canada’s largest sailing school, operating on Vancouver’s waterfront since 1999.
Our vessels and operations comply with Transport Canada regulations, and our skippers are professionally trained and highly experienced, operating under established safety procedures developed through decades of instruction, coaching, and on-water programming.
Safety equipment is carried onboard, and routes are selected each day to prioritize comfort, conditions, and guest experience.
FAQs
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No. This experience is designed for beginners and non-sailors.
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Seals and seabirds are common, but wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.
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Yes, for older children comfortable on boats.
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Conditions are usually calm. We choose routes that prioritize comfort.