We have a little something special for our Facebook followers, Blog readers and EcoCruising
Special subscribers...this coming Saturday September 30th - noon to 4 pm! 

With every season comes changes to the wildlife in our area and as we enter fall, the weather can
be a little unstable.  This fall we're going to be offering specials (weather permitting) for you to visit our beautiful area...with someone special onboard.

This coming Saturday - September 30th join us for a trip to Portland Island with nature
photographer Terry Venables.  You may have seen Terry's photographs on the Weather Channel
or interviews with various news agencies when the baby hawk hatched among the eagles in Sidney this summer.

You'll depart from Canoe Cove Marina E Dock at noon and set out through lovely Gulf Island
passages to your Portland Island destination.  Pack a little lunch with you, or maybe have breakfast at Canoe Cove Joe's before we leave. :)

We'll set you on Portland Island (aka Princess Margaret Marine Park) for a few hours to hike the
lovely trails and shoreline, take in photo opportunities and Tips with Terry or just enjoy the remote-ness of an island with no vehicles.  The trails are rated moderate and there are 6.5 km of them
(3 hour loop; cross trails, 1 hour) from any of the three camping areas located on Princess Margaret (Portland Island). And yes, camping area mean outhouses! :)

We'll depart from Portland at about 3 pm for a meandering route back to Canoe Cove Marina.    

There is no BC Ferry access to Portland Island, so this is a wonderful treat for those who do not
have their own boat.   There is limited seating for the journey - only room for 11.
​Cost per person is $30 return. 

Call us at 250-655-5211 to reserve your seat or email info@ecocruising.com

We just never know what we might see out on the water and this past Sunday was a beautiful day.  With at least 2 weeks of fabulous weather in the forecast - what's stopping you from getting out and taking in this beauty that surrounds us. 

Special thanks to Jessica Cherniak for sending in these photos taken while on her tour. 
Call 250-655-5211 or email info@ecocruising.com

Small island living is a beautiful challenge sometimes - we're open to ideas and suggestions to make it a little easier.  Send us your queries if you live on a small island near Sidney, BC.

We are so excited to be seeing these creatures back in our waters.  For several years, every comeback of the vibrant purple seastar was soon devastated by the "seastar wasting disease" and they literally disintegrated.  Finally after at several years, their numbers are increasing.  We are seeing more and more of the purple seastar, the mottled starfish but...still no sunflower stars.

We'll be keeping an eye out for them this summer.  Come along and search the Salish Sea with us this summer. 

This is really quite a funny story about a group from Piers Island that wanted to kayak Russell & Portland Islands.  They can see both islands from Piers, but crossing that channel with BC ferry traffic is a little daunting.  There were 3 couples and one teen, the guys were fine with walking the great trails on the islands, the ladies wanted to circumnavigate the islands by kayak.  
A plan was devised, kayaks & picnic baskets loaded...and the adventure began.  Mona, our son Jacob & I were part of that group.  Which kind of reminds us of "I liked it so much I bought the company!" 

We planned an adventure that was perfect for us - talk to us about what you'd like to do.  Have a SUP - we can expand your paddling world. :)

We're starting to see smaller sizes of these jellyfish, called "Egg Yolk" or "Lion's Mane".  They'll grow over the summer.  The moon jellies are appearing as well.  It's like the warmer temperatures bring a "bloom".  Will they shrink in the rain! No...and you won't either because you'll fully protected in our boats, with 360 degree views and UV protection when the sun shines!
Come out on the water and play, rain or shine.

It's nesting time for our seabirds - cormorants, gulls, oyster catchers and others and we know where to find them.  If you're a bird lover and want to add a few checks on your Birdwatcher List, we'd love to share with you.