Explore the wild, rugged coastline of Vancouver Island — a premier sailing destination full of stunning anchorages, remote inlets, and vibrant coastal communities.
Cruising the West Coast of Vancouver Island is a practical, experience-driven course designed for sailors and cruisers eager to explore one of British Columbia’s most breathtaking and remote coastal regions. Led by Gio and Julie Cappelli of Pelagic Blue, the class covers essential skills for safe and enjoyable cruising including route planning, tides and weather, anchoring, provisioning, and more, drawing on the instructors’ extensive experience sailing these rugged waters. Whether you’re navigating inlets and fjords, discovering secluded anchorages, or preparing for an offshore adventure, this course offers the knowledge and confidence you need to cruise the wild west coast with ease.
REGISTER NOW
ONLINE COURSE OVERVIEW
Who is this online class for?
This class is ideal for sailors and cruisers planning coastal voyages along Vancouver Island’s rugged west coast who want practical knowledge for safe and enjoyable cruising. It’s also a great fit for adventurers eager to explore remote anchorages, secluded inlets, and small coastal communities along British Columbia’s wild coastline. Whether you’re interested in learning how to safely navigate, provision, and plan passages in remote coastal temperate waters, or you’re seeking insights into local wildlife, anchorages, and cultural highlights, this course offers valuable guidance for anyone preparing to cruise this unforgettable region.
What Will I Learn?
Discover one of British Columbia’s most breathtaking coastal cruising areas. The west coast of Vancouver Island offers approximately 350 miles of downwind sailing divided into manageable legs, making it an ideal shakedown cruise for offshore adventures to come. In this class, Gio and Julie Cappelli will guide you through the essentials of cruising the wild west coast of Vancouver Island. Drawing from years of experience navigating these remote waters, they’ll cover everything you need to know to plan and execute a successful trip. You’ll learn how to read weather and tides to take advantage of the predominantly downwind passages, navigate safely through inlets and fjords, and identify prime anchorages. Whether you’re planning a voyage south from Port Hardy to Victoria or Neah Bay, or looking to sail north toward Barkley Sound via the Strait of Juan de Fuca, this course will provide practical strategies for provisioning, route planning, and managing variable conditions. You’ll also get insights on wildlife viewing, local culture, and how to fish responsibly to enhance your cruising experience.
List of Topics:
- Overview of the west coast cruising region and key routes
- Weather patterns and tidal influences for safe and efficient passage planning
- Navigation tips for sheltered inlets, fjords, and open coastal legs
- Anchorages: how to find and choose the best spots for safety and scenery
- Provisioning for multi-day coastal cruising with a focus on sustainability
- Wildlife and environmental considerations for respectful cruising
- Strategies for fishing and gathering fresh food along the route
- Coastal village highlights and local resources for cruisers
- Safety protocols for variable weather and emergency preparedness
- Tips to maximize comfort and enjoyment while cruising in remote places
Why Cruising the West Coast of Vancouver Island Is Worth the Effort
Rugged, remote, and unforgettable
Vancouver Island’s west coast is a dream destination for adventurous cruisers. But it’s not for the unprepared. With dramatic fjords, exposed passages, and limited resupply points, this stretch of coastline demands thoughtful planning and local insight. This course gives you the confidence to go beyond the beaten path and explore one of the most rewarding cruising grounds in the Pacific Northwest.
Tides, weather, and wild coastlines
Whether it’s finding the perfect anchorage or timing your passage through tidal narrows, sailing here means learning to read the water, not just follow the chart. This course covers essential strategies for safe navigation, trip planning, and provisioning in remote waters—so you can spend more time enjoying the journey and less time worrying about logistics.
Real-world guidance from full-time cruisers
Gio and Julie Cappelli of Pelagic Blue have sailed thousands of miles across the Pacific and spent years teaching on the BC coast. Their hands-on, practical approach is built around experience—not theory—so you’ll get advice that works in real-life conditions. From weather windows to local wildlife, they’ll share the tips that make this coastline not only accessible, but unforgettable.
YOUR HOST
Gio & JuLIE CAPPELLI
Pelagic Blue
Gio and Julie Cappelli took a “seabattical” from their careers as marine biologists in 2021 and chose to embrace life at sea full-time. Since then, they’ve dedicated themselves to teaching cruising skills and leading sail training expeditions through their company, Pelagic Blue, with a special focus on preparing sailors for safe, confident bluewater cruising aboard their own boats.
They regularly conduct training expeditions along the stunning coast of British Columbia and other favorite sailing grounds worldwide. With over 20,000 miles sailed across the Pacific, Gio and Julie bring a wealth of practical experience to their instruction. Both are graduates of Skagit Valley College’s Marine Maintenance Technology program, holding ABYC and NMEA certifications, and are USCG Masters. In addition to running Pelagic Blue, they teach offshore cruising workshops and classes with John Neal of Mahina Offshore Services. When not at sea, they enjoy hiking, fishing, planning their next voyage, and helping their students prepare to set sail with confidence.
ONLINE CLASS REGISTRATION
@ 4:30 PM PT / 7:30 PM ET (90 min)
Regular Price
$39
ASA Member Price
$29
ON-DEMAND ACCESS
All registrations include unlimited on-demand access to the recordings of the live online class. So if you are unable to attend live you can still register and watch at your leisure.
ASA MEMBER DISCOUNT
American Sailing Members can claim their discount in the Member Portal. If you're not a current member then for only $59/year you can join or renew today!
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google
Privacy Policy and
Terms of Service apply.
