Join us on the water to explore the region’s history!
The Museum at Campbell River offers summer historic boat tours in partnership with Campbell River Whale Watching and Adventure Tours. Each trip explores the history of the region from the comfort of one of their boats that include both indoor and outdoor seating areas, and an on-board washroom. As well as an experienced Captain, there is an on-board naturalist who is constantly on the lookout for wildlife to point out, and a Museum Guide to share historic points of interest.
Trip Destinations
The Thurlow Islands
The Thurlow Islands are a hidden treasure. Although sparsely inhabited today, they have a rich history featuring logging camps, forestry stations, commercial fishing, and gold mines. Stop at Blind Channel Resort for a delicious meal and a brief chat with a member of the Richter family, a family who have been living on West Thurlow Island for several generations.
Sonora Island
Cruising past Quadra, Read, Maurelle, and Stuart Islands to reach Sonora Island, you will experience the area’s notorious tidal rapids, and hear tales from the past of many landmarks along the way. Stop in at the exclusive Dent Island Lodge.
Desolation Sound
Experience the myriad bays and inter-connected coves nestled among the small islands of Desolation Sound. Retrace areas explored by Captain George Vancouver of England and Captains Galiano and Valdez of Spain in 1792. The tour views the rugged beauty of the coastal mountains and we can imagine daily life for people in the past. Trip includes a visit to historical Refuge Cove and Prideaux Haven, one of the most popular boating anchorages in the region.
Redonda Islands & Waddington Channel
Heather Harbord, author of Desolation Sound, referred to West Redonda as the “Social Centre of the Sound.” West Redonda had two settlements – Refuge Cove and Redonda Bay. Of the two, Refuge Cove has always been bigger, and today is still a hive of activity, at least in the summer months, with its charming and eclectic community. East and West Redonda are known for their topography, towering peaks and the deepest waters of the passage. Some areas contain the warmest ocean water on the west coast of North America.
Cortes Island
Whaletown on Cortes Island received its name from a whaling station located there in the late 1800s. Hear about the impacts of this station and find out about historic whaling practices in the region. While we circumnavigate the Island you will also learn about some of the other stories this unique island has to tell including historic Squirrel Cove and beautiful Von Donop Provincial Marine Park.
Quadra Island
The largest of the Discovery Islands, Quadra has a long history of human habitation. Hear some of the many colourful stories of mining, logging and homesteading as you navigate through the many tidal rapids, reefs and Provincial Marine Parks surrounding the island.
Members Discount
The members discount will take the form of an 8% refund applied to the purchaser after the trip.
Partner
History Boat Tours is a partnership between Campbell River Whale Watching and the Museum.
2023 Schedule
| Date | Time | Destination | Meal Detail | Price* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 21 | 1:30pm - 5:30pm | Circumnavigate Quadra Island | Bring own lunch to eat on boat. | $210 |
| May 28 | 1pm - 6pm | Redonda Islands and Waddington Channel | Bring own lunch to eat on boat | $230 |
| June 4 | 12:30am - 5:30pm | Thurlow Islands with lunch at Blind Channel Resort - SOLD OUT | Lunch included at Blind Channel Resort. Alcohol not included. | $270 |
| June 11 | 1:30pm - 6:30pm | Desolation Sound with stop at Refuge Cove - SOLD OUT | Catered lunch included to eat on boat. | $245 |
| June 18 Father's Day | 3pm - 8pm | Thurlow Islands with dinner at Blind Channel Resort - SOLD OUT | Dinner included at Blind Channel Resort. Alcohol not included. | $295 |
| June 25 | 12:30pm - 5:30pm | Sonora Island with lunch at Dent Island Lodge | Lunch included at Dent Island Lodge. | $265 |
| July 2 | 12:30pm - 4:30pm | Desolation Sound - SOLD OUT | Bring own lunch to eat on boat | $210 |
| July 9 | 3pm - 8pm | Thurlow Islands with dinner at Blind Channel Resort | Dinner included at Blind Channel Resort | $295 |
| July 16 | 12:30pm - 5:30pm | Sonora Island with Tea at Dent Island Lodge - SOLD OUT | Tea with a light snack included at Dent Island Lodge | $245 |
| July 23 | 8am - 12pm | Desolation Sound - SOLD OUT | Bring own lunch to eat on boat | $210 |
| July 30 | 8am - 12pm | Desolation Sound | Bring own lunch to eat on boat | $210 |
| August 5 (Saturday) | 7:30am - 12:30pm | Redonda Islands - Waddington Channel | Bring own lunch to eat on boat | $230 |
| August 13 | 12:30pm - 5:30pm | Thurlow Islands with lunch at Blind Channel Resort - SOLD OUT | Lunch included at Blind Channel Resort. Alcohol not included. | $270 |
| August 20 | 8am-12pm | Circumnavigation of Cortes Island with a visit to Teakerne Arm | Bring own lunch to eat on boat | $210 |
| August 27 | 8am-12pm | Desolation Sound - SOLD OUT | Bring own lunch to eat on boat | $210 |
| September 3 | 8am-12pm | Desolation Sound - SOLD OUT | Bring own lunch to eat on boat | $210 |
*Prices are per person plus GST. If purchasing online, a 6% online processing fee will be added. All passengers will meet 30 minutes before the scheduled departure. Customers will receive a full refund on cancelations up to 48 hours of tour date. No refunds will be issued within 48 hours of trip. For more information about registration, please contact Lorna or Edna at Visitor Services at the Museum at 250-287-3103. They will be happy to assist.
If the trip you want is full, please call us at 250-287-3103 to be added to the wait list. More spaces are sometimes added on short notice dependent on weather conditions.
