boats at the dock of Van Isle Marina

Vancouver Island’s Premier Destination for Boat Travelers

For boaters touring the beautiful BC coast, Vancouver Island is a must-see. Among the many islands dotting the flank of our lengthy province, Vancouver Island is not only the largest but the most visited by tourists across the country and around the world. Over 4 million people each year come to the island to experience its natural beauty, thriving arts communities, and culinary adventures.

To the south you’ll find the busier part of the island and the Provincial Capital of British Columbia, Victoria, complete with attractions, museums and is the hub of hospitality. Travelling north up the island, you’ll find stunning coastal towns like Qualicum Beach, Tofino and Port Hardy.

If you decide to make Vancouver Island your destination by boat, you’ll need a safe place to moor, fuel your boat and body, and to get some maintenance done before you embark on your island adventure. In this article, we’re going to highlight Van Isle Marina in Sidney, BC, the one-stop shop and premier destination for Vancouver Island boaters:

Full-Service Fuel Dock

The fuel dock is a vital part of any marina. At Van Isle, boaters can find both diesel and ethanol-free premium gasoline along with a helpful fuel dock crew. The recently upgraded facility complete with electronic stainless-steel fuel dispensers has three marine gasoline and four marine diesel hoses to service you faster, with fuel flow control to accommodate both slow and fast flow requirements. Van Isle Marina is also proud to offer our Marine Fuel Discount Program for recreational and commercial marine vessels.

While you’re getting re-fueled, pop into the fuel dock store for anything else you may need. Here, you can purchase Chevron oils, fuel additives and other boating supplies like ice, fishing tackle, charts and tide books, cruising guides, snacks and more.

Learn more about the fuel dock prices and details on the Van Isle Marina website.

Yacht Park with Haul Out

If you’re arriving on the island after days of travel, it would be wise to find a marina that is a hub for different trades that provide a range of services. At Van Isle, we have a complete maintenance and storage facility that allows us to haul-out boats up to 45 tons or 75 feet. At our Yacht Park, boat owners will have a full range of maintenance options at their fingertips.

A full haul-out with Van Isle Marina includes the haul, position, block, and launch, while the half haul-out remains on a trailer. Inside the storage facility, you will have peace of mind knowing that your boat is being protected by a fully fenced yard, live web cams, security access, and is in the hands of fully insured contractors.

Aside from regular repairs and maintenance, you can also have a range of services completed on your boat, like bottom painting and power washing. More information about haul-out maintenance service can be found on our website.

Secure Moorage

To explore the island, you’re going to need a safe place to moor your boat. Van Isle Marina is proud to offer boaters nightly, monthly, and annual moorage for boats up to 200 feet. With over 500 berths both covered and uncovered, your boat will be safe while you explore what the island has to offer.

Along with a safe space to store your boat, you’ll have access to electrical service, parking, water supply, waste disposal, and Wi-Fi. At Van Isle Marina, we pride themselves on being the true one-stop-shop for boat owners, providing full service and safe moorage.

Waterfront Dining

Sea Glass waterfront dining

After completing your voyage to the island and docking your boat, head up to Sea Glass Waterfront Grill to experience contemporary west coast dining. With stunning views of the marina and surrounding area, sit back and relax while you enjoy your lunch or dinner.

At the Sea Glass Waterfront Grill, we pride ourselves on creating nearly everything from scratch and with local Vancouver Island ingredients. We specialize in fresh seafood and west coast entrees, with a variety of vegetarian and vegan options for all diners. And don’t forget about dessert! We’ve got four options (all gluten-free!), including Citrus Basque Cheesecake and Crème Brûlée.

Throughout the summer months, popular among boaters, the Waterfront Grill is open 7 days a week. Lunch is served from 11am – 3pm and dinner is available from 4:30 – 8pm. To make a reservation, give the Sea Glass Waterfront Grill a call at (778) 351-3663, or check out the Sea Glass Waterfront Grill menus.

Yacht Brokerage

While your boat is in moorage or has been hauled-up for maintenance, why not take a stroll over to the Yacht Sales dock. Maybe you’ve been thinking about selling your current vessel and opting for an upgrade in the near future? Or maybe you’re just looking for some inspiration.

Here in Western Canada, Van Isle are the yachting experts and the region’s exclusive authorized dealer of Pursuit Boats. This is the place on the island for buying (or selling) yachts. Whether you’re just browsing or planning your next upgrade, our Yacht Sales team will be ready to show you their collection of recreational vessels. We’ve got everything from pre-owned yachts to brand new sporting, sailing, motor and cruiser yachts.

When the time comes to make a purchase or sell your current boat, Van Isle offers the complete suite of Vessel Documentation Services to help any anxiety or headaches that come with finding and filing paperwork. We can do it all: Title & Lien Search, Closing Statement, Transfer of Funds, Bill of Sale, License Transfer, and the Casual Remittance Return Form.

Check out our current selection of boats and yachts for sale here at Van Isle.

Proximity to Town

One of the great perks of starting your Vancouver Island exploration at Van Isle Marina is the proximity to both Sidney and Victoria. The marina is located in the Sidney area, with downtown Sidney just a few minutes away. Stroll Beacon Avenue and take in the sights and smells of the quaint seaside town, while stopping at attractions like the Sidney Pier, Sidney Street Market and one of the several museums.

If you want to explore Victoria, the highway is just minutes away from Van Isle Marina. Hop on the highway and drive directly south for about 25 minutes and you’ll arrive in the heart and soul of Vancouver Island.

If you’re hoping to explore some of the other Gulf Islands with your boat resting safely in moorage, the BC Ferries Swartz Bay Terminal is just minutes away from Van Isle Marina, and can whisk you to Pender, Salt Spring, Mayne, Galiano and Saturna Island.

5 Reasons to Consider Buying a Pursuit Offshore Boat

Life in coastal British Columbia is nothing short of spectacular. From the appealing mild weather to the stunning BC scenery dotted with quaint islands, lush forests and towering mountain ranges, we’ve got plenty to explore. But in order to fully take advantage of everything this beautiful province has to offer, you’re going to need a boat – and not just any boat.

Pursuit’s line of offshore boats are perfectly designed for exploring the coast of BC and its surroundings. Their award-winning offshore boats are designed with comfort top of mind. Completely safe in the open ocean, these boats will allow you to live, work and relax for extended periods of time, both securely and enjoyably.

In this article, we’re going to highlight some of the key reasons to consider buying a Pursuit boat for your weekend fishing trips, romantic island getaways, family day trips and everything in between.

Comfortable for Long Trips

One of the biggest selling points for Pursuit’s line of offshore boats is the comfort level, meticulously designed and built for weeks long and even months long trips. Ranging from 32 feet – 46 feet, the offshore line provides true live-aboard space for you and your passengers.

In each model, you’ll find berths in either the forward or aft sections (or both), which will allow 2-4 people to sleep comfortably. You’ll also find a fully functional galley complete with maple cabinets, a glass cooktop, microwave and stainless-steel refrigerator, along with an enclosed head with a stand-up shower.

But aside from the galley and head, which will provide you the functionality of home, Pursuit’s offshore boats also come standard with various entertainment options, from the JL Audio System to LED TVs.

Everything from the complete functionality down to the specially crafted upholstery will ensure you’re truly equipped for long, comfortable trips in a Pursuit offshore boat.

Fishing Capabilities

If you’re passionate about fishing or curious about diving into the hobby, coastal BC is an excellent place to be. And with a Pursuit offshore boat, you’ll have all the capability you’ll need. Like all Pursuit models, the offshore line comes standard with plenty of rod holders, live wells, fish boxes, tackle storage and cabin rod storage space. To learn more, check the specifications that are available with each Pursuit offshore model.

Along with specific features designed for fishing, there are other aspects of the Pursuit offshore models that make them ideal for fishing. Standard in every model is an anchoring system, bow thruster and dedicated transducer location. There are also safety features built in that can go a long way when fishing, such as grab rails and anti-slip cockpit flooring.

Beauty in the Details

The Pursuit offshore series are highly functional boats designed for fishing and longer trips with family and friends. But that doesn’t mean that anything has been sacrificed when it comes to style and design. Front to back and top to bottom, the offshore series is beautifully designed and meticulously crafted.

Every model features a hand-laminated hull and moulded frameless tempered glass windows. When you custom order a Pursuit boat, you’ll have your choice of hull, helm, boot stripe and interior colour packages. And when you head down into the cabin, you’ll notice no detail has been left out. From the stainless steel and countertops to the upholstery to the luxurious head, the Pursuit offshore line exemplifies beauty in the details.

Purpose Built & Protected

For decades, Pursuit has been committed to designing and building high quality offshore boats. Whether you’re buying an offshore boat or a model from one of their other lines like Dual Console, Centre Console or Sport, they like to say every Pursuit Boat is ‘purpose-built’.

While the term ‘purpose-built’ is usually applied to necessity, Pursuit boats are built with a very different purpose in mind – for romantic weekend getaways, beach days with the family and fishing expeditions with your friends. The purpose is bliss. And it’s evident in every stitch, fixture and surface.

But you don’t have to take our word for it. Pursuit is willing to put their money where their mouth is with the Pursuit Protection Plan. Regardless of which model you end up purchasing, each Pursuit boat comes standard with:

  • 5-year hull/deck structural warranty
  • 5-year blister-free warranty
  • 2-year limited warranty

As a new Pursuit boat owner, the Pursuit Protection Plan goes a long way in providing you with real peace of mind. After all, it’s a big investment. And you can rest easy knowing the manufacturer has your back.

Availability

Along with being one of the largest full-service marinas in the province, Van Isle Marina is proud to be the exclusive dealer of Pursuit Boats in Western Canada. So if you’re looking to purchase a Pursuit yacht, you’re in the right place. At our docks right now, we have a selection of both the OS325 and OS355 models.

The OS325 model is the smallest model in the offshore collection at 34 feet, but it is every bit of stylish and will comfortably sleep two guests. You’ll still find the hardwood, sleek stainless steel and LED TV. It’s got twin Yamaha F300 engines that give you cruising speeds of 30 mph and a fuel tank capacity of 370 gallons.

The OS355 model is the midsize offshore model at 38 feet, powered by triple Yamaha engines for an extra kick. This model sleeps four with a little more seating and storage, and a larger galley, TV and live well.

When it comes time to actually purchase your new boat, Van Isle Marina can provide some real peace of mind. Apart from our highly experienced Yacht Sales team, we offer the full collection of vessel documentation services, including:

  • Title & Lien Search
  • Closing Statement
  • Transfer of Funds
  • Bill of Sale
  • License Transfer
  • Casual Remittance Return Form

To browse our collection of Pursuit offshore boats, come visit our docks at Van Isle Marina. Located at 2320 Harbour Road in Sidney (Google Maps), in Tsehum Harbour, our marina is just minutes away from the BC Ferries Swartz Bay terminal and the Victoria International Airport. Reach us by phone at 250-656-1138 or contact us today!