Our Schedule
For most of the year, we moor the Gravina in Anacortes, Washington, right next to the San Juan Islands
and BC's Gulf Islands. We are available most of the year for charters in Puget Sound. Generally, though, in the summer, we travel to Southeast Alaska, sometimes for almost the whole
summer, and sometimes for only a month or so.
Reserve the Gravina
Click here to contact us for more information.
What's included?
Your charter includes:
* For overnight trips, everything on the boat for the duration of your trip - meals, all fuel costs, fishing gear, and authorized use of the skiff. We also have two kayaks. Skipper and cook are included in the cost.
* For day trips, we provide a skipper and boat by the hour, all fuel included. We also can provide you with full or partial galley services.
What to expect
When you come aboard the Gravina, you will intimately explore the wilderness of the Inside Passage in British Columbia and Southeast Alaska.
You will see it from a beautiful, classic 52' wood boat that shows the care and attention given to every facet of its reconstruction.
The Gravina has all the modern conveniences: hot water, a shower, a comfortable head, a heating system with a thermostat in each compartment, and a large freezer and refrigerator. But it is a work boat, updated to be comfortable, not luxurious. It is not a cruise liner. No ballroom or promenade. The social and seating areas are the galley, wheelhouse, and deck, where there is a rain-sheltered stern.
One advantage of the Gravina is the small size of the group. Each group of four can choose their own activities. There are many: fishing, though we are not a dedicated fishing charter operation; exploring, mostly from the Gravina, but also from kayaks and from the inflatable skiff; stopping in towns along the way like Elfin Cove and Tenakee; looking for a photo opportunity, or the sight of some particular wildlife; and, of course, hiking and beachcombing in places where we can dock the boat or take the skiff ashore. You can choose to do as many or as few of those things as you like.
Boat life is different than land life. Though the Gravina is not a slow boat (it makes more than 9 knots), the travel is slower than what you are used to on land, and so is the pace of each day. As you watch the B.C. and Alaskan landscape go by, your perspective changes. Many people find that they sleep better on a wood boat at anchor than they do anywhere else.
Much of what we do will depend on the weather, something we cannot control, and to which we have to adjust. Storms and rain can happen on any trip, on any day. Days of sunshine can also last for weeks. We cannot guarantee either one.
All we offer is a personal wilderness experience on a beautiful, comfortable boat.
What to bring on overnight trips to Alaska
Important things to bring,
and leave behind.
WHAT TO BRING:
ONLY DUFFELS OR PACKS THAT ARE COMPLETELY COLLAPSIBLE, so that they are stowable on an old-fashioned wood boat.
We don't have a washer or dryer on the boat, so please plan accordingly.
PACK LIGHT! You'll be surprised at how few extra items you need.
Besides long pants and long-sleeved shirt, you should have
Long underwear
Warm socks
Gloves or mittens that dry quickly
Warm hat
Light athletic shoes or soft rubber soled shoes for the boat; slip-ons, preferably
Lightweight, comfortable, water-repellant shoes for hiking and walking
Wool or fleece sweater
Warm jacket - wool, polypropylene, or thinsulite are best - no down
Rain jacket with hood or hat
Rain pants
A pair of rubber boots if you want to do beach exploring
You might want to bring:
Binoculars
Day pack, water-resistant
Personal water bottle
Swim suit - If a hot springs visit requires some modesty
Shorts if we get one of those hot days
Sunglasses
Sun block
Insect repellant - Bugs don't like salt water but we sometimes go places the bugs do like
Toiletries (we supply soap, shampoo, and toothpaste if you need them)
Any personal medications
IMPORTANT - What NOT to bring:
No bedding or pillows or towels. We supply them.
No suitcases or frame packs. We have no place to put them.
Ski clothes and down are not recommended. Fleece and a raincoat is much better.
