Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions about Weather and Boat Tours:

General Information ...... Princess Louisa Inlet Tour

We regularly get requests from site visitors for information about our boats, tours, destinations and extra services. We have gathered the best or most frequently asked questions below.

General Information

Weather

• The Sunshine Coast is in a temperate Mediterranean climatic region. Vegetation is varied. The dominate vegetation is coastal forest, leading to Pacific Northwest Rainforest regions inland.
• "Normals" is the term used for values of climatic elements averaged over a fixed, standard period of years. To be included in data published by the Environment Canada data a minimum of twenty years of records is required. Values we quote here are "normals".
• Summer temperature "normals" range from 15C (60F) to 20C (70F). It can appear much hotter in the direct sunshine. Winter temperature "normals" range from 4C (40F) to 15C (60F). Rainfall "normals" suggest we experience some rainfall on 20% of our summer days and 60% of our winter days. It is our opinion that the soft lights and low cloud on "grey days" add to the scenery on our sightseeing outings.
• Rain quickly adds to or fills water falls and heightens the drama of the inlets. Unless unsafe to operate each trip will run regardless of weather conditions. It has never been necessary to cancel a scheduled day.
• The Inlets around the Sunshine Coast are relatively calm. Compared to the open ocean areas it's very protected here. Because our Inlets twist and turn as opposed to running in a straight line there isn't much fetch. This serves to reduce limit wave height. In our small fast boats we're able to choose a path that keeps us in the lee of big hills and points.
• There are areas where katabatic and adiabatic winds blow. for the most part we can go around these effects.

Clothing

• It is generally a good idea to carry a light sweater and or rainwear.
• Sunscreen and sunglasses are equally recommended.
• A hat is suggested if you are to be exposed to direct sunshine.
• Comfortable footwear is recommended. Soft-soled shoes are best on the boats. Keep in mind that if you go ashore you may wind up in sand and or mud.

Vessels Licensing

• Vessel licenses are issued by Transport Canada, following the guidelines of the Canada Steamship Act. The act defines "passengers" as those on any passage involving payment of any kind. "Charter" implies that you are renting the boat and taking responsibility for it, with no one on board making separate payment.
Any passenger carrying vessel and any vessel chartered with crew included is a "commercial vessel".
• Larger passenger boats have mandatory inspections. Boats less than a defined size and passenger count are included ina voluntary inspection program. Sunshine Coast Tours operates and hires in vessels in both categories, but most of our boats are in the smaller category..
• Seating for all passengers is a requirement. Generally we make sure 100% of this is protected from the weather; Outside seating is in excess of this. We task vessels that are completely seaworthy in the worst of weather conditions that this area can experience. Cancellation due to weather is extremely unusual.

Vessels Boarding

• Please do not board any of our boats without the crew present. Tour loading will start approximately ten minutes prior to departure.
• Our normal base of operations is in Egmont on the Sechelt Peninsula. On scheduled tours we load guests from Backeddyt Marina. Alternate group arrangements can be made to suit.
  

Smoking

• To be compliant with provincial laws stipulate we do not allow smoking onboard the tour boat. Ashore in the Provincial Park the main consideration is the control of fire and litter. You are asked to not smoke while at the Malibu Club.
  

Safety

• A safety briefing is given early in every trip. Please listen for it and ask questions about items that may not be clear to you. We carry safety equipment as required by the Canada Steamship Act and the Safe Boating Regulations. Every passenger boat has a compliment of children's life jackets. These are designed for individuals between 20 and 40 kg. For infants under 20 kg an adult supervisor should take a second adult life jacket to serve as a raft.
• Our life jackets are IMO certified and not designed to be worn throughout the day. They are not available to be used during the trip, especially as cushions.
• Individuals are welcome to bring specialty equipment such as personal or children's PFD's.

Travel Directions

• Our web site outlines driving Instructions to our loading point in Egmont. From Vancouver go to Horseshoe Bay and take the BC Ferry to Langdale.
• You can check the BC Ferries web page for last minute schedule information at www.bcferries.bc.ca. Recorded phone information 604 886-2242.
• Ferry sailing is 40 minutes long. Payment is required in Horseshoe Bay only return trip is free.
• After departing the ferry follow the traffic up the hill and around the corners on the Gibson's by-pass to Highway 101. Turn right on the highway. Follow traffic through Sechelt. Pass the Madeira Park and Garden Bay turnoffs. At Egmont Road (1 km before Earl's cove) turn right. At Maple Road turn left. Watch for the sign for Egmont Marina Resort.
• From Powell River go to Saltery Bay and take the BC Ferry to Earl's Cove. Ferry sailing is 50 minutes long. Payment is required in Saltery Bay; travel off the Sechelt Peninsula is free.
• After departing the ferry follow the highway 1 km to Egmont Road. Turn left. At Maple Road turn left. Watch for the sign for Egmont Marina Resort.
  

Mileage's

• Langdale to: Egmont 92 km (58 mi) - 1 1/2 hour drive
• Earl's Cove to: Egmont 10 km (6 MI)

Confirmations / Refunds / Discounts

• Tickets must be pre-purchased to reserve seating. Refunds are not available. For parties 6 or larger we offer a 10% discount on the tour price.
• Departures are available year round. On scheduled days there is no minimum number of tickets. We make every effort to not cancel scheduled sailings, regardless of passenger compliment. We will consider adding days to our existing schedule. You will need to make a special request.
• Reservations are strongly recommended. Once ticket sales are confirmed the tour schedule will be fixed. Until that point we may make changes to the scheduling.

Pets

• To ensure the comfort of everyone on board, and to comply with rules at the Provincial Park and the Malibu Club we ask you to make alternate arrangements for your pets.
• Please do not bring them on the tour.

Tax

• Tour tickets are subject to Canada's 5% GST (Goods and Services Tax) and British Columbia's 7% PST (Provincial Sales Tax). These are haromonized into one 12% HST (Harmonized Sales Tax).
• The tour company is required to collect and remit this tax. It is applied at the time of purchase. We try to show prices as the final all up cost. Generally it will be broken down for your convenience. If you are comparing our tour to others make sure you consider this 12% cost. Many operators do not show it until time of purchase.

HST Refund

• A program exists to allow nonresidents to collect refunds on hst paid on some items purchased in Canada and subsequently exported. There is a limited number of eligible items, including short term accommodation. HST paid on goods and services consumed in Canada is not refundable. Tour tickets purchased here are considered to be in this category. HST paid on tour tickets is not refundable.
• Additional information is available from Revenue Canada. Their toll free number is 1-800-668-4748. Their web site is http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/search/menu-e.html. Search for form RC4031

Swimming

• Sometimes people swim in the Inlet while our regular scheduled tour is visiting Princess Louisa Inlet Marine Park. We encourage swimmers to avoid being in the water around the dock, near boat traffic.
• We do not have any opportunity to swim from the boat during regular scheduled programs.
• Charter groups are able to schedule time to swim if they desire. The individual responsible for the charter will be considered in charge of swimming activity.

Disability Access

• In the fullest context of the term our boats are not accessible to the disabled. We would like to make every effort to be as accommodating as possible and help individuals overcome obstacles to access the boats.
• The ramp from the landing to the dock can be quite steep. It varies with the tide. At extreme low tide the ramp is almost 50 degrees slope. At high tide the ramp is only five degrees. The walk down the dock from the wharf head to the boat is approximately 160 feet (55 meters). Boarding involves stepping over the side of the boat.
• To board the Bline one has to step over the side of the boat. At our home dock this is eight inches above the dock level. There is 18 inches of freeboard above the back deck level. Access to the boat interior involves stepping down two regular steps and taking a seat.

Princess Louisa Inlet Tour

Lunches

• Our regular tour price does not include lunch.
• A lunch option is available from many of the accommodation hosts on the Sunshine Coast.
• We recommend you bring a lunch of "finger food", one that is easily consumed on board while we travel. Here are some other lunch options.
• There are picnic sites at the Provincial Park that can be used. There is no opportunity to picnic at Malibu Club. During our time at Malibu we are asked to remain with the camp host while they conduct a guided walk around the main facility. Wandering around unescorted is not allowed.

Schedule - how much time ashore?

• Travel to Princess Louisa Inlet takes just under two hours. We run along the shore and stop to look at key, interesting features and places.
• We are in Princess Louisa Inlet for almost two hours. Some of this is travel time. We allow approximately one hour ashore beside Chatterbox Falls, at Princess Louisa Inlet Marine Park.
• We budget another 30 minutes ashore to participate in a guided tour around the Malibu Club. This is subject to change on the day depending on the events scheduled at Malibu.
• Our run time home takes one and one half hours. The balance of the day is used for clearing the harbours and the unpredictable that always occur.

Children

• The trip is adult orientated. It is a fairly long day; with a lot of time spent on the boat traveling.
• By all means, bring your children along but please provide for entertainment of small children.