NW Explorations

Next season’s Mother Goose flotillas are planned. Four trips, May through August 2027:

Bellingham to Ketchikan via Haida Gwaii · May 17 – June 13 · 28 days

Ketchikan to Bellingham via Haida Gwaii · June 16 – July 13 · 28 days

Vancouver Island 360 Flotilla · July 16 – August 9 · 25 days

Desolation Sound and the Broughtons · August 12 – 30 · 19 days

On each one you skipper your own charter, with an experienced lead crew handling the route planning, the daily briefings, and the reservations.

And for the first time in decades, these flotillas are open to power boats (no sailboats) outside our fleet. We are building out the web pages for each flotilla now, with the full route, what is included, and what each trip asks of you.

If you would like to cruise alongside us in your own vessel, send us a message with your boat details and we will start the conversation.

On Friday, members of the Marine Trawler Owners Association (MTOA) arrived in Bellingham before an afternoon of boat check-outs. Saturday morning, eight boats from our fleet cast off together.

MTOA ran this one as a self-guided club cruise, cruising together without one of our lead boats. Some groups want a lead boat handling the route, the anchorages, and the day-to-day decisions. Others have experienced skippers who would rather make those calls themselves. Either way, our job is the groundwork: matching members with the right boats, planning itinerary options, and making sure every crew leaves the dock knowing their vessel.

We've done this before. MTOA members have cruised with us in past seasons, and we have coordinated flotillas for other clubs such as Ocean Reef Yacht Club and the New York Yacht Club.

If your club has talked about cruising the Pacific Northwest together, we'd be glad to start that conversation. The trip could be a week in the San Juan and Gulf Islands or a longer run north. Reach our charter team at [email protected].

Safe travels, MTOA. We'll see you back in Bellingham.

Sucia Island, in the northern San Juans, is a state marine park shaped roughly like a horseshoe. Wind and tide have carved its sandstone into honeycomb ledges and curving walls, and trails follow the shore between quiet coves. It’s a natural first stop on a San Juans charter from Bellingham.

Thinking about a first charter in 2027? Our charter team is glad to help you plan it.
https://www.nwexplorations.com/contact/

Tin Hau, a Fleming 55, joins our bareboat charter fleet for 2027. She's named for the goddess of the sea revered by fishermen in southern China — fitting, since Tony Fleming began building boats at Junk Bay, Hong Kong, where an ancient Tin Hau temple still stands.Three staterooms sleep six, stabilizers were installed in 2020, and a 12′ tender and two Hobie kayaks come aboard for exploring the San Juans, Gulf Islands, Desolation Sound and beyond.

Now available for bareboat charter reservations in 2027.

Contact us to learn more about booking Tin Hau for your next adventure.

1-800-826-1430
[email protected]



Image credits: Joel Highet, Bright Pix Media

Most winter damage on a boat comes down to one thing: water expanding as it freezes. The tricky part is where it happens. Shore-water inlets, filter housings tucked in a lazarette, and strainer bowls are common freeze points, and they’re rarely the spots you’d think to check. Freshwater freezes at 32°F, saltwater around 28°F. A short cold snap is all it takes. If your boat stays in the water this winter, know where to look; or let us keep watch for you.

Talk with us about getting your boat monitored:
(360) 676-1248
[email protected]

Golden Hour is our newest charter vessel. A Sabreline 47 built for unhurried PNW cruising. Two staterooms sleep four, a lower helm and a flybridge give you a choice of views as your cruise the San Juans, Gulf Islands, or Desolation Sound and beyond.

Now available for bareboat charter reservations in 2027.

Contact us to learn more about booking Golden Hour for your next adventure.

1-800-826-1430
[email protected]

Winter Watch is open for the season. Whether you’re still cruising or tucking your boat in until spring, a vessel left in the water through a Northwest winter needs regular, knowledgeable attention. Our Service team checks on your boat on a set schedule; bilges and pumps, shore power, lines and fenders, engine and battery systems, so you have a trained set of eyes on it even when you can’t be there.

Talk with us about getting your boat monitored:
(360) 676-1248
[email protected]

Some of the best cruising in the Pacific Northwest is the quiet kind. In from the water, a good anchorage to yourself, and a comfortable place to settle in for the evening. Starweather is built for exactly that, and she has open weeks for the rest of this season.

Step into her salon and she feels more like a home on the water than a boat: warm wood, easy seating, and windows that keep the view close. She's a Nordhavn 57 with three staterooms sleeping six, a full galley, washer and dryer, air conditioning, and Starlink aboard, so a week or more settles into an easy rhythm. And for a boat her size, she's approachable to run, with stabilizers and bow-and-stern thrusters doing much of the work.

Open weeks run from mid-August through late September, and again through October. If you've been thinking about a fall cruise, we’re here to help make it happen.

View more details about Starweather - 57’ Nordhavn: https://www.nwexplorations.com/charter-boats/57-nordhavn/

Call us at 1.800.826.1430
or email [email protected]

2026 Vancouver Island 360 Flotilla – Day 18: Sooke to Victoria

Our last full day in Canadian waters. Perfect calm leaving Sooke, flat conditions and blue skies all the way into Victoria by noon. Ross and Evelyn greeted us on the dock. That evening, all the geese and goslings met on Deception to celebrate—looking at photos, remarking on the journey. Over 700 nautical miles through difficult waters, we had built skills, relationships, and confidence. Tomorrow the flotilla returns to Bellingham. Olivia stays behind. Thanks for reading and following along.

https://www.nwexplorations.com/2026-vancouver-island-360-flotilla-day-18-sooke-to-victoria/

2026 Vancouver Island 360 Flotilla – Day 17: Deer Group Islands to Sooke

A 0530am start into sunrise for 72 nautical miles. Large swells gave way to open ocean. Breaching humpbacks, porpoises bow riding, flocks of sea birds. Eight hours of rotating driving, snacking, and napping underway. Entering Sooke Harbour was dynamic—wind and currents ripping, a challenging dock that all the skilled captains pulled off. Cocktail hour on Athena, sharing memories and snacks. Whistler left the flotilla on their early morning departure. Early nights tonight. Off to Victoria tomorrow.

https://www.nwexplorations.com/2026-vancouver-island-360-flotilla-day-17-deer-group-islands-to-sooke/