Voyage Makers Coastal Adventures

Services at
Port Sidney Marina, Mill Bay Marina & Beyond

Coastal Concierge at Port sidney marina

VIP Service For Group Bookings at Port Sidney Marina

Concierge services for groups and yacht clubs who want to simplify trip planning or elevate your members’ experience in coastal British Columbia.

Choose your level of service, from tailored itineraries and seamless provisioning to curated itineraries and on-shore activities. 

Eat & Drink Like A Local

Our deep knowledge of the region connects you to the best local provisions – from dockside seafood and island farm stands to hidden bakeries and small batch craft producers. 

Use our Port to Palate™ Culinary Guide to plan your own route – or let us design a culinary flotilla around you. 

Programs To Make Your Cruise Unforgettable

Make the most of your stop at Port Sidney.

Bring out the charts, gain local knowledge and discover off-the-beaten-path gems to make your group’s experience extraordinary. We offer customized seminars and talks to entertain, teach and support your group’s interests. 

Training for Boat Owners - on Sail, Power and Multihull

Port Sidney Marina

We teach more than just boating skills.

We teach the judgment and decision-making that help you go farther.

Owning a boat changes how you experience the world – it brings freedom, joy,  independence – and it demands judgment.

Real confidence isn’t measured by miles logged. It’s built through command and clarity under pressure – at every experience level.

We don’t just teach boating. We train skippers and create the experiences that shape them.

Training Built Around Your Needs

Voyage Makers offers a full range of recreational boating training customized to your needs, including:

  • Docking & Close-Quarters Handling
  • Coastal Navigation & Passage Planning
  • Multi-day & Focused Trainings for Certification
  • Coaching for Offshore or More Challenging Passages
  • Vessel Systems Reviews & Vessel Manual Development

We operate across Mill Bay Marine Group’s network of marinas — Port Sidney, Mill Bay, Port Browning, Pacific Gateway, and MK Bay — so your training takes place in the actual waters you’ll be navigating.

 

For clients requiring bareboat charter vessels, Voyage Makers operates out of Nanaimo, Port Sidney, and Brentwood Bay Resort.

Seaside Talks & Training at Port Sidney Marina

July, August & September Dates

We’re building a Summer & Fall Series for people who want more from the coast than a pretty view.

From wildlife and birding by boat to coastal food, cruising confidence, women on the water, and the adventures you keep saying you’ll take “one day,” these talks are designed to help you see the Salish Sea differently — and get you closer to living it.

Details coming soon. Sign up for our newsletter to be first aboard when registration opens.

 

Birding by Boat

Did you know Vancouver Island sits on one of the world’s great migration highways? Every year, millions of birds travel the Pacific Flyway, stopping in the estuaries, bays, shorelines, and protected waters of the Salish Sea. Join us to discover the remarkable birds that call our coast home, the migratory species that travel thousands of kilometres to reach British Columbia, and the sanctuaries that make Vancouver Island one of North America’s premier birding destinations. Whether you’re a dedicated birder or simply curious about the wildlife around you, you’ll never look at the coast the same way again. 

Cruising with Wildlife

From orcas and humpbacks to seals, sea lions, eagles, and shorebirds, the Salish Sea is alive with wildlife. Learn how to safely and responsibly enjoy unforgettable encounters while understanding the habitats, behaviours, and seasonal movements that make coastal cruising in British Columbia so extraordinary.

Port to Palate: Best Culinary Destinations by Boat

Some of the best dining experiences in British Columbia begin at the dock. Discover favourite dock-and-dine destinations, hidden culinary gems, local producers, waterfront restaurants, and unforgettable food experiences that make cruising the coast as rewarding for your palate as it is for your sense of adventure.

The Salish Sea Bucket List

If you could only cruise the coast once, where would you go? Explore the must-see anchorages, iconic destinations, hidden coves, wildlife encounters, hiking trails, waterfront villages, and unforgettable experiences that belong on every boater’s Salish Sea bucket list.

Women on the Water B.C. – Fall End of Season Celebration

Join women from across British Columbia’s boating community for an evening of connection, inspiration, stories, and celebration. Whether you’re a new boater or a seasoned skipper, this gathering is an opportunity to reflect on the season, share experiences, and look ahead to new adventures on the water.

 

Life is Short. The Coast is Long. Planning the Adventures You’ll Remember

One day, all that remains are the stories. Learn how to turn “someday” cruising dreams into meaningful experiences by identifying the destinations, adventures, and moments that deserve a place on your calendar before another season slips by.

From Dream to Departure: Making the Leap Into Cruising

Many people dream about sailing away. Far fewer take the first step. Whether you’re considering chartering, boat ownership, training, or extended cruising, discover practical pathways that can help transform your cruising aspirations into reality. Meet people who have done it – are planning to do it. And others who, like you, are wondering if this is for them.

 

The Psychology of Adventure: Why We Explore

Why are some experiences remembered for a lifetime while others are quickly forgotten? Explore the science and psychology behind adventure, curiosity, confidence, and personal growth—and discover why time on the water has such a powerful ability to change the way we see ourselves and the world around us. 

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