Sailing Log

Last week Great Bear Charters took their guests to the San Juan Islands.  There was plenty of sunshine, laughter, old growth trees, sandy beaches, mountain views and wildlife to explore for these curious little ones.

Sailing up to the San Juan Islands aboard Singawing with Great Bear Charters.

Climbing trees on Sucia Island.

Skipping rocks in the San Juan Islands.

Felled old growth tree on Stuart Island.

Holding hands on a hike along the shore.

Observing and discovering in the San Juan Islands with Great Bear Charters.

The crew at Great Bear Charters was sad to learn that Victoria, one of 85 endangered killer whales left in Puget Sound, was found dead in February.  Ken Balcomb, a scientist with the Center for Whale Research on San Juan Island, has followed Victoria since she was 3 weeks old.  Due to the young whale’s good health prior to her death and the extreme injuries, Ken Balcomb is trying to determine the cause of death.  More than half of these incidents in Washington are never determined.  Underwater recordings that may determine the cause of death will be released in August.

If you would like to read more: What Killed Orca Victoria?

Living in the Pacific Northwest, we are lucky to witness many rainbows.  Sailing with Great Bear Charters to destinations such as Alaska or the San Juan Islands, you are bound to catch a rainbow sometime.

A beautiful rainbow is captured during a sailing charter in Lowe Inlet in the Great Bear Rainforest.

A seagull enjoys this beautiful rainbow at a marina in the San Juan Islands.

There are many opportunities for island hopping in the San Juan Islands with Great Bear Charters.  Here is a charter guest exploring Sucia Island in Ewing Cove.

Charter guest explores Sucia Island in the San Juan Islands.

The Great Bear Charters‘ crew members are preparing for a busy season.  Here is Nicole cleaning the spreaders on Singawing.  In three weeks Great Bear Charters will be kicking off the season with a private charter to the Gulf Islands for two wonderful families on a sailing vacation.

Great Bear Charters Crew prepares for private yacht sailing charters this season.

Great Bear Charters prepares delicious meals on their Schwenker, a German swinging barbecue.  Here sailing charter guests enjoy an onshore dining experience with breathtaking views of Desolation Sound.

Charter guests enjoy a delicious meal cooked on the Schwenker in Desolation Sound with Great Bear Charters.

Sailing and cruising with Great Bear Charters is a fine way to unwind.  When you are ready to climb out of that hammock, there are many exciting activities to keep you busy, both in the water and on land.  Kayak to hot springs in Alaska or at sunset in the San Juan Islands.  Swing across the warm waters of Desolation Sound on a rope, or dive into the Pacific Ocean off Vancouver Island.  The options are many and the results are invigorating.  If it is difficult to imagine this, here are some moments captured to help you along.

Take in the stunning landscape while kayaking in Fossil Bay, San Juan Islands, off Sucia Island.

Witness a rushing waterfall while hiking in Prince of Wales, Alaska.

Kayak to Hot Spring Trail in Warm Spring Bay, Baranof Island, Alaska.

Take a dive off the schooner, Singawing, into Hot Spring Cove, just outside Vancouver Island.

Kayak the Cordero Channel with Great Bear Charters, in route from Desolation Sound to Broughton Archipelago.

Rope Swing into the 78 degree waters of Prideaux Haven, Desolation Sound.

Enjoy a bath in Teakerne Arm, Cassel Falls, Desolation Sound.

Kayak during sunset in the San Juan Islands off Sucia Island with Great Bear Charters.

Great Bear Charters brings you to unique harbors and inlets that allow you the experience of beauty and natural wonder in pristine Pacific Northwest locations.  Here is the schooner, Singawing, shore tied in Desolation Sound.

Singawing shore tied in Desolation Sound during a private yacht vacation with Great Bear Charters.

Great Bear Charters introduces their guests to many stunning bluffs and viewpoints along shoreline trails.  Here is an overlook along a beautiful hike to Turn Point lighthouse on Stuart Island in the San Juan Islands.

Great Bear Charters hike to Turn Point lighthouse, Stuart Island, San Juan Islands

A family chartered vacation aboard Singawing is a child’s paradise.  Great Bear Charters provides a unique adventure within a comfortable cozy sailing schooner.  Magical moments such as discovering a purple starfish, smelling Andrea Knutson‘s homemade cookies, reaching out to a seal, or curling up under a blanket to watch the sunset brings joy to children of all ages.  Catching a fish for the first time, waking to the sights and sounds of nature in the Pacific Northwest, and exploring untouched islands are parts of the journey that a child remembers.  Parents onboard appreciate the living and moving classroom that this unrivaled vacation offers for families.  These rich experiences sailing with Great Bear Charters will be cherished for a lifetime.

Relaxing in Desolation Sound

Provincial Park, Desolation Sound

Hiking in Desolation Sound

Bed Time in the Gulf Islands

Swimming and Kayaking in Desolation Sound

This little boy caught a Ling Cod that was later grilled for a delicious dinner in the Broughton Archipelago.

It's time for a movie, after a rigorous day in the San Juan Islands.

Dixon entrance leaving Ketchikan, Alaska

Mud bath in Princess Louisa Inlet

A little girl feeds Popeye the Seal in Friday Harbor. This animal is famous in the San Juan Islands for eating fish out of people's hands.