Winter Outings?

Our boats are available for charter. Email to ask for details. Make sure to mention the type of activity (sightseeing, SCUBA, transportation) your asking about. Additional details of what you have in mind are helpful.

* Oct 20

The fall trips are special. these images came from this afternoon's Highlights Tour.

* Oct 14

A beautiful grey day. We had rain along the way but it stopped while we went ashore at the Provincial Park.

The sea lions are migrating through the area. They were up Inlet as far as Patrick Point. I haven't seen the whale lately but I hear reports of it being around.

Each day rafts of sea scooters seem larger than before. There are quite a few eagles around and most of the decidious trees are showing fall colours.

* Oct 11

This was a spectacular fall day, clear and calm all day. There were several changes of light that made for interesting views and photos. Compare this view with the same shot from Oct 3.

* Oct 3

What a day!

I always wonder if anyone reads these clips. I'll give a 25% on tickets for our Oct 10th Princess Louisa Inlet tour, or a 10% discount on a Princess Louisa Inlet tourin the next operating season to the first one who lets me know they read this.

* Sept 29

What a beautiful day! We had some rain while we travelled but it was dry when we were ashore in Princess Louisa Park. Then, it rained hard again for periods while we travelled home.

* Sept 27th

Today was the first time I've seen a humpback whale. What a surprise! It was moving slowly around Dacres Point. We shut down to sit and watch. The whale came over and spent about a half hour going around and under the boat.

The day was so clear that every contour and every colour stood out as individual. It was a special outing.

* Sept 23rd

it's so nice to be in such calm water every day. The big summer weather is behind us. Travel is in seas, almost mirror calm at times. The air is cool so very few people sitting outside all day. With these beautiful sunny days it's nice to be able to get up and go out for a view.

Overall traffic in the Inlet has dropped off as well. There are still people in the Park, but only a few. This week there's been an average of only three or four boats on the dock during our time ashore.

* Sept 19th

Fall is definately my favourite time of year. I like the changing light and the small, fast moving weather systems. Throught the course of the day we saw so many distinct but different faces of the Inlet it was amazing.

The big tidal exchanges have generated strong currents in Sechelt Rapids. Our Skookumchuck Tour was lots of fun. The flow is strong and there are a group of very strong paddlers playing on the wave.

* Sept 5th

Everything seems fuller and greener after a rain like we just had. My favourite weather in the Inlet has always been the soft light days of fall with "whispy" clouds hanging about the hills. Scenery was spectacular with new snow up high on the hills.

* Aug 30

What a beautiful day! I was surprised at how calm it was all day long. Nobody wanted to stay outside on the boat because the fall air feels cold as you run through it but when sitting still the heat of the sun was very obvious.

Today we spent extra time ashore at the Provincial Park. Circumstances prevented other stops. Everyone enjoyed the time. It became a 'lazy", relaxed afternoon.

* Aug 21

What a great stretch we're enjoyng now. The air has cooled off so the weather systems are a lot more stable. Mornings have been glassy calm. It's cool if you stay outside the cabin as we travel but very nice inside. Typically we get cloudy mornings that burn off through the day during this time of year. Afternoons in the Inlet are spectacular!

There are lots of recreational boaters about. Everyone is trying to fit in their holiday before end of summer.

* Aug 10th

Last night's rain was heavier up the Inlet than out on the Sechelt Peninsula. This orogrphic effect is always interesting. I don't know how much would have been measured but it was enough to open up some of the waterfalls along the way. What a treat for this time of year.

* Aug 9th

What a beautiful day! My favourite weather are the times with soft lights and wispy clouds drifting around the hillsides. I love the holes that open up and offer surprise views of selected areas!

The dool weather has made everyone more comfortable and taken away some of pounding of the direct sun. Don't be fooled about the fire hazard; stay very cautious.

* Aug 6th

It appears the heat wave is about to break. The fire hazard will remain extreme unless we get a drenching rain. If that happens look for the waterfalls in the Inlet to start to open up.

There have been lots of kayakers out in Sechelt Rapids. The group paddling is very strong and guests on the Skookumchuck Narrows tour have been mesmerized at the display of athleticism.

*Aug 3rd

I saw a huge flow through Sechelt Rapids in Skookumchuck Narrows tonight! On our evening tour I also saw more kayaks than I've ever seen before. They demonstrated an extremely high skill level too. At one point I think I counted four boats on the wave simultaneously!

*Aug 2nd

Sunshine continues to beat down on us. A few brave soles stay outside for the whole of the day but most retreat inside at some point for a break. Make sure to drink lots through the day.

Most of the winter snow is gone. The last couple of weeks accelerated the summer melt. Loquilts Creek, at the head of Princess Louisa Inlet continues to run as it is fed with glacial melt but almost all the other creeks and streams s all but dry.

July 28th

Road construction in and approaching Egmont has slowed everyone down a bit. Anticipate it taking a bit of extra time to drive here.

The unusually high temperatures and lack of cloud are raising the UV index to extreme. Be careful with exposure to the sun!

The tug that capsized in Sechelt Rapids did so during a period of slow current. The full report will take time to prepare but there is no direct impact with tours to this area.

* July 24th

It's been a week of "Big Weather"! The adiabatic wind that builds on hot days has started early and grown as strong as we've ever seen it. The Inlet is extremely dry and the fire index is Now "extreme". Overall it's becoming a unique summer. If you've seen the Inlet before and want to experience it with another feel this is a great time to join our tour.

** July 22nd

We got to work with a new aircraft today. West Coast Air provided an Otter for some of the participants on our Float & Fly day. It's much more normal to fly in the famous Beaver. Views from either aircraft are spectacular!

* July 18th

We're enjoying the spectacular summer weather. The Inlet is in typical form for this time of year. Views are endless and everything seems big! We passed a log boom the other day but otherwise there is little activity other than recreational boats. Wildlife has retreated into the protection of the forest. Saw lots of eagles but most pelagic birds are out at sea.

July 13th

What a beautiful day! The grey sky and low clouds are my favourite. The seas were a bit confused in the morning but had developed some pattern by afternoon. That helped to smooth things out. Not so many people in the Park but still interesting boats to look at.

* July 12th

Following the rains everything dried up very quickly. We're back to summer levels with the waterfalls and most of the snow on the peaks has melted.

The Park has really been very busy! There are lots of boaters out enjoying the summer. Princess Louisa Inlet is as popular as ever.

The Ranger has the Park in excellent condition. The vegetation is as lush as I've ever seen it. It's always nice but the growth this spring has been spectacular.

* July 5th
At mid afternoon we noticed a significant change in weather. It was a disappointment for the kayakers we took up Inlet for a 3 day paddle home but the tour boat enjoyed flat seas on the run home. Obviously the next couple of days will bring showers. This will help reduce the fire index. It will also keep the forest views green. If enough rain falls it will fill the catch basins and waterfalls will begin to flow again!

* July 3rd

Watch for the next cycle of Skookumchuck tours to begin tomorrow Saturday July 4th. Book on line, through your accommodation host or by calling our toll free line direct.

* June 30th
We were out in Sechelt Rapids (Skookumchuck and had a chance to watch a group of "long boaters". These boats are more commonly seen on flat water, involved in travel. To see them surfing on the wave was spectacular! We added a couple of photos to the Skookumchuck album on the photo gallery

* Week of June 20
This was a series of big weather days in the Inlet; not a good time to be in an open boat.On the trip home the operator slowed up a bit to help smooth things out.This kind of thing sometimes makes us a bit late getting back.

* Monday June 11th
Wayne started out in calm seas but through the day the wind built. The weather patterns we are experiencing now are unusual and giving us unusual wind patterns. By afternnon sea state 3 leading into 4 were throughout the Inlet. Thank goodness all of our boats are fully enclosed so everyone can sit in protected areas and still enjoy the trip.

* Tuesday June 10th
What a fantastic day. It was unusually calm so we enjoyed flat seas in both directions. There were several eagles along the way and lots of seals. Water falls are pretty dry but the spring melt is keeping most of the major cascades full. Loquilts Creek and Chatterbox Falls are raoaing more than any other area.