The U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency has announced the launch of a new streamlined, yet comprehensive way to clear customs for boaters travelling from Canada to the United States. ROAM (Reporting Offsite Arrival-Mobile) is an alternative method to the typical face-to-face customs clearing that most people are used to. Small pleasure craft arriving to […]
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 […]
In the spirit of all things spooky, this Halloween we have complied a list of the scariest stories from across the Gulf Islands. Whether or not you believe in ghosts, these tales are sure to send a shiver down your spine. Continue reading, if you dare… The Heriot Bay Inn, Quadra Island Nestled in the […]
Four Premieres for Riviera and Belize at the 2018 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show Australia’s premium luxury motor yacht builder, Riviera, will proudly present the World Premiere of its much anticipated flagship Belize 66 and the Americas Premieres of the Riviera 72 Sports Motor Yacht, the 39 Sports Motor Yacht and the sporty and adventurous […]
Summer has officially come and gone. As much as we love Summer and all it has to offer, Fall is a close second when it comes to our favourite season. At Van Isle Marina, we are lucky to be experiencing lovely warm weather, while still being treated to the beautiful Fall colours. Transient moorage guests […]
As part of Van Isle Marina’s Corporate Social Responsibility, we chose to support the Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue (RCM – SAR). RCM – SAR is a highly-trained, all-volunteer unit with a 24/7 state of readiness. In a situation of marine distress, they would be the first rescue vessel on scene. The rescue vessel, […]
Microbreweries, craft beer and distilleries have taken over British Columbia by storm. Our accessibility to fresh hops and local ingredients creates a tremendous variety of brews from the few hundred craft breweries in our vast province. Moorage for these breweries are within 20 minutes of walking, which make them great pit-stops for trips up the […]
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 […]
The crabbing season in British Columbia is officially in full swing! Waters around Sidney are great for catching large Red Rock crab. They tend to prefer rocky bottomed waters and require the protection of bays. While typically Red Rock crab is less meaty than Dungeness crab, they are equally as tasty. Dungeness are much meatier, […]
July is one of the most fruitful (pun intended!) months for fresh fruits and vegetables, so every week during the summer there are markets that pop up across the Gulf Islands, and on the Saanich Peninsula. Farmer’s Markets are a wonderful way to connect with the community, find new recipes, and shake hands with the […]
