August 15 – Sept 4 |
Ever wondered what all the fuss about sailing the Pacific Northwest was? Wonder no more! We’ll set out from Ketchikan, Alaska, at the height of the summer season and sail down the coast. Some of our possible stops include the Haida Gwai, Prince Charlotte Sound, and Desolation Sound before arriving into bustling Vancouver, Canada’s West Coast Metropolis. Click on the drop down menus below for more information.
Ardent Training is offering a significant discount on the RYA Day Skipper Theory online course to anyone signed up for this trip. If you’re interested in taking the course, let us know when you sign up!
- Cost:
$4450$3950 - Date: August 15 – Sept 4, 2022
- Start: Ketchikan, Alaska
- End: Coal Harbor Marina, Vancouver, British Columbia
- Length: 21 days, 20 nights
- Focus: Coastal Cruising | Island Exploration | Marine Mammals
While we can’t guarantee that our protocol will 100% prevent a COVID infection onboard, we are hopeful that it will reduce the risk of a serious COVID-19 Infection far from advanced medical care.
COVID Protocol:
Everyone on board the vessel for this trip MUST provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination, with the final dose ocurring at least 15 days prior to boarding.
14 days before trip: I agree to take maximum precautions to minimize my risk of infection with COVID-19 by following CDC guidelines.
72 Hours Before Boarding: I agree to take a PCR covid test at my own expense. If a testing site is available that can provide results in less than 72 hours, I agree to get tested as close to the date and time of boarding as is consistent with receiving results before boarding.
Day of Arrival at boat: We will take your temperature and administer a rapid antigen test to you before you come in close contact with the rest of the crew. With proof of a negative PCR result, a temperature of under 100.4 F, and a negative rapid test, you will be able to board Sea Dragon. Once everyone is on board, we will fall into the normal routine for trip operations. We’ll become a “bubble” with no masks required on board. You’ll choose your bunk, we’ll have a group dinner on board and go through safety briefings for departure.
In the event that you do not provide proof of vaccination, test positive on either the PCR test or your pre-boarding rapid test, or have a fever, you will not be allowed aboard the vessel, and we will be happy to transfer your payment to a trip of your choosing at a later date.
Reserve your spot now with only a $500 deposit! This deposit is non-refundable per our crew contract. However, it is transferable or refundable in the event that we are forced to cancel this voyage.
Contact UsCall Us: +1 (305) 330-4212 (Pacific Time)
I highly recommend this trip to anyone considering it. Its a fantastic way to see some beautiful parts of the world and expand your sailing skills in a truly unique way.
– Fran M.
I had always wanted to sail the San Juan Islands and the Pacific Northwest. It was great to join a boat with knowledge of the area and that handled the provisioning, cooking and all the other details of running a boat so that I could just enjoy the sailing and the San Juans.
– Richard J.
Click on a heading below to learn more!
Tentative ItineraryClick Here to See Tentative Itinerary Map
Day 1: Arrive on Sea Dragon in Ketchikan
Day 2: Sail Training / Passage Prep in Ketchikan
Day 3: Ketchikan to Prince Rupert (90 miles) Clear In
Day 4: Prince Rupert
Day 5: Sail to Connis Cove, area for river otters, explore ashore
Day 6: Sail to Patterson Inlet, explore ashore
Day 7: Sail to Dunn Passage / Weinberg inlet, explore ashore
Day 8: Sail to Surf Inlet / Penn Harbor (Princess Royal Island)
Day 9: Explore Surf Inlet, common area to see spirit bears
Day 10: Extra Day for weather / exploration
Day 11: Sail to Clifford Bay, explore ashore
Day 12: Sail to Pearse Islands (overnight sail)
Day 13: Arrive Pearse Islands
Day 14: Explore Pearse Islands (resident population of Orcas)
Day 15: Sail to Forward Harbor, Desolation Sound, explore ashore
Day 16: Sail to Thurston Bay Marine Park, Desolation Sound, explore ashore
Day 17: Sail to Gorge Harbor, Cortes Island, Desolation Sound, explore ashore
Day 18: Sail to False Bay, Lasqueti Island
Day 19: Explore Lasqueti Island
Day 20: Sail to Coal Harbor, Vancouver
Day 21: Depart in Vancouver by 0900
What's Included
– 20 nights accommodation on Sea Dragon
– All meals (vegetarian), snacks, and drinks on board
– Sailing Instruction
– Safety equipment and foul weather gear
– Use of inflatable paddle boards
Contribution does not include:
– Transportation to and from Seattle and Vancouver
– Transportation to and from the boat
– Additional nights spent ashore
– Personal expenses while in port
Packing List
Travel Details
Ketchikan International Airport (KTN) is short ferry ride from town. If you want even more water adventure, you can take the Alaska Marine Highway ferry from Bellingham! Vancouver International (YVR) is about 20 minutes away by car, and very easily accessible by rail.
All crew members will require a passport and visas from their home country that will allow them to travel to/ from the USA and Canada. Please note that if you are not a US or Canadian citizen, you will likely need to complete a Canadian ETA prior to traveling. Please ensure you have the appropriate paperwork completed before joining the vessel. Please look into the specific type of visa you need for arriving at these destinations by sea, or contact us directly to discuss.
Boat Tour
Your Crew
ALESSANDRA PEPARINI – Captain
My passion for the ocean started very early… when I was a kid I spent all summers in the water! My activities were from fishing to swimming, from snorkeling to the first freediving, from kayaking to simply playing with the waves. My confidence with the water and my sensitivity towards the ocean and all kinds of creatures in and outside the water started growing during these early years and is what has drove me to my working choices and lifestyle.
I start sailing late, when I was 18yo and I have immediately felt in love with it. At 20yo, together with a friend, I owned a 7m boat which we totally rebuild inside. After some time working at a sail loft specializing in canvas work, I started doing charters and deliveries in the Med as a deckhand, cook, and mate while during the winter I continued working full time as swimming instructor, specializing in working with people affected by disabilities (physical and mental). After several years of doing this and working on custom composites with Carboway I decided something was missing in my life.
So, when my second and last dog had died for old age I have decided to leave for an Atlantic crossing in 2016. Even though I had a ticket back to Europe, I never used it and I kept on sailing until I arrived in the Pacific, where I worked freelance on superyachts and doing deliveries.
I really enjoy long passages and being in remote places, I feel 100% part of the nature around me. And when I am not on a boat I love going up the mountains hiking or climbing, otherwise freediving. I am excited to be working on board Sea Dragon because I enjoy heaps teaching how to swim and be in the water to people, transmitting my passion, I would like to give back to the ocean, which is in need, using Sea Dragon as a way for teaching people how to be respectful and minimize their impact on nature around them.
Alessandra holds her Yachtmaster Offshore with Commercial Endorsement, a CMAS Advanced Diver, an AIDA Advanced Freediver, and holds her STCW endorsed Proficiency in Medical Care at Sea.
Jake Hutchinson – First Mate
Holly Barnard – Deckhand