News Blog

Protected Anchorages in the Gulf Islands

The sun has officially set on summer, and winter is on the horizon. The “off-season” brings a plethora of wild and glorious weather to the Pacific Northwest. In an instant, things can change and even the most experienced boater may need to seek refuge. Below is a list of a handful of the many anchorages in […]

Bird Watching in Sidney B.C.

Previously, bird watching has been known as your “Grandmother’s hobby”, but more recently it has become a wildly popular past-time for all ages. Due to Sidney’s many ecological reserves and parks, local birdwatching has taken off. With Vancouver Island’s mild climate, there are large selections of birds who permanently nest, as well as migratory birds […]

A New Way to Travel – Northstar Air Tours

Vancouver Island is a big and beautiful place. The Island stretches 460 kilometers in length and 100 kilometers in width for a total of 32,134 km2 in area. We are surrounded by some of the most pristine and beautiful coastlines in the world, attracting people from across the globe. Our forests are dense and populated […]

Spring Boating Start-Up Checklist

Spring is in the air; is your boat ready to get back to cruising? If you did winterize your boat, you saved yourself some spring boat prep time and possible headaches now, which means the road between your boat and the water is shorter! Although it is always best to winterize a boat before putting […]

Five Hikes in the Gulf Islands

At Van Isle Marina, we are fortunate to be located in the heart of the Gulf Islands, one of the best cruising grounds in the world. There are more than 200 islands in the region, each different than the last. The sheltered waters of the islands are wonderful for fishing, swimming, and sailing, while the […]

Tips for Cool Weather Cruising

The lure of the open water, even during cold weather, can be overpowering. In locales (like ours!) where year-round boating is possible, do not let the cold keep you from experiencing a different — and exciting — facet of boating. Extra preparation and precautions should be taken before heading out on the water when the […]

Seven Cozy Places to Evade the Winter Chill in Sidney, BC

  Sea Glass Waterfront Grill: We are a little biased when it comes to our beloved onsite restaurant so don’t take it from us! Here is what Charlene B. from TripAdvisor.ca (where Sea Glass is rated as the number one restaurant in Sidney!) had to say: From soup, salad, flat breads, burgers, steak, seafood and the always […]

Are You Thinking About Sailboat Racing?

Would you like to give it a try in a supportive environment? SNSYC invites you to come along to our races! First timers get to race their boats free for one race series (6 races). Thereafter, it’s a modest $60 per year for guests (SNSYC members get a bit of a break), which covers over […]

Top Ten Tips for Boating and Marina Etiquette

Boating, as a recreational sport, has been around for over 300 years. During this time many customs and traditions have been developed; traditions that, over generations, have become the unwritten rules of the road. Just like being on land, we need to be good neighbours; help others when they need it, tidy up after ourselves […]

Simple Tips for Docking Your Boat Like a Pro

Pulling into a marina without knowing exactly how to maneuver your boat is one of life’s least pleasant experiences. Guests of Van Isle Marina are able to simply give a call to our Front Desk or Fuel Dock to request some assistance but not every marina functions this way! By using these tips, everyone from […]