Marine Link Tours
Marine Link Tours – Check the website calendar and be sure to check the line’s detailed Sailing Protocol. It is worth reading even if you are not planning to sail! Capacity is 12 in outside double cabins, five with two single beds and one with an upper and lower berth.
There is nothing else quite like the tiny, 135-foot Aurora Explorer for an off-beat British Columbia coastal cruise. The coastal freighter operates out of a landing ten miles north of Campbell River facing the Inside Passage that is halfway up Vancouver Island – for just 12 passengers and a crew of six. She’s basically of landing craft design with a ramp to take on freight and vehicles stored on an open forward deck, while crew and passengers are housed an aft three-deck superstructure.
The surrounding scenery is majestic British Columbia with a heavily indented coastline on one side and Vancouver Island on the other, plus lots of small islands dotted about the gulf. The route and time ashore is contingent on the cargo requirements. Picnics and barbecues are often arranged off the ship. The crew is friendly, and the other passengers are self-selecting for a truly — dare we say — quirky cruise.
The engine noise and vibration affect some passengers, especially for the first night or two, plus be advised about the commotion associated with daytime cargo handling. After all, this is primarily a working freight boat. That said, the limited accommodation fills up fast, so book a year ahead if you can. For a short voyage summary taken in August 2016, please find it at the end of the main review.
Fleet
Aurora Explorer (most recently updated 2019; 12 passengers) cruises British Columbia waters & the Inside Passage
Passenger Profile
Adventurous free-thinkers from North America and the UK mostly.
Price
$$
Included Features
- All meals onboard
- Round-the-clock snacks, teas, juices & soft drinks
Itineraries
Aurora Explorer operates late March through the end of October from a base at Menzies Bay, Vancouver Island, located about 10 miles north of Campbell River into the Gulf of Georgia and deep into the long inlets off Johnstone-Queen Charlotte Straits largely serving locations that have no road access. Two different routings are offered. The cruises operate weekly and last five days.
The departure point — Menzies Bay, 7990 North Island Highway — is 165 miles north of Victoria, B.C. on Vancouver Island. The drive takes 3.5 hours, and regular bus service from Victoria operates to Campbell River as does daily air access from Vancouver. Use a taxi from there for the last 10 miles to the landing.
The beauty of the British Columbia Coast. * Photo: John B. Henry
Sample Itinerary
The Broughton Island Archipelago Area route begins at Menzies Bay, traveling north and stopping at ports along the way, through Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage, Johnstone Strait and Chatham Channel. Port calls depend on freight schedules, with plenty of opportunities to delve into coastal fjords and spot wildlife.
Freight permitting, the vessel can sail past Cascade Head’s 800-foot waterfall from granite cliffs, and upon occasion can sail to the remote Seymour Inlet System. On the return journey, there are a few stops at first nation villages, and Yorke Island historical military site.
Why go?
Sailing aboard a tiny freight ship, a lifeline for many road-less communities, with just a handful of passengers and a very friendly crew makes an unusual experience.
When to Go?
The cruises operate weekly and last five days. The maritime weather will vary considerably but expect some fog, perhaps rain and lots of snow seen atop the higher peaks, except in midsummer.
Activities & Entertainment
Besides watching the cargo handling that often includes heavy equipment bound for remote camps, there is a chance to meet local people, see whales, seals, sea lions, porpoises and other wildlife, and learn about the history of the region. Passengers are welcomed in the pilothouse to have a chat about what is on your mind.
Gordon Turner, a past passenger has this to share, “While I was aboard Aurora Explorer, heading up Bute Inlet, I saw an eagle overhead, a bear walking close to the shore and a large sea creature (possibly a seal) almost alongside the vessel. And the three sightings were simultaneous.”
“Also, I recall that when the open cargo deck was a bit muddy, the captain put Aurora Explorer under a 90-degree cliff whose waterfall cleaned off the decks in a matter of moments. That’s something you do not see with, for instance, Oasis of the Seas.”
Edging close to lounging wildlife. * Photo: John B. Henry
Dining
Some food will be freshly caught from the ship with lines cast for salmon, halibut and groundfish. Prawns are also on the menu, caught from the bow, while crab comes from the ship’s own trap. Otherwise, you can expect straightforward Canadian meals. Wine is served with dinner; there is no bar, so BYO. Sometimes they throw a BBQ on the back deck or a beach.
SHIP
Aurora Explorer
This small working cargo freighter has space for up to 12 passengers, who are housed on three passenger decks at the aft of the ship. Two lounges, a dining room, and a small library collection (mostly BC coastal subjects) make up the public spaces, plus two outside levels of observation decks. Wi-Fi and cell phone access depend on the vessel’s position, but expect it to be very limited.
Cabins
Accommodations are five outside twin-bedded cabins and one outside with upper and lower berths, all with windows that open. Passengers share four washrooms with toilet and two shower stalls, plus hair dryers. Fresh linens are provided along the journey. A washer/dryer is also available.
Along the Same Lines
Too quirky for much competition!
Special Notes
The engine noise and vibration affect some passengers, especially for the first night or two, plus be advised about the commotion associated with daytime cargo handling. After all, this is primarily a working freight boat.
RELATED: Click here for a Reader Review of Marine Link Tours.
Contact
Marine Link Tours, Box 451, Campbell River B.C. V9W 5C1 Canada; www.marinelinktours.com, 250-286-3347.
—TWS
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HEIDI SARNA
We want to go on this, very informative review and testimonial.
We are waiting for info from the company about the fare. No luck yet. We are very interested in this type of cruise. Can anyone give us a general idea of cost? We can’t wait to book for 2017 or 2018!
Hi Vikki, Yes, this is a great quirky cruise indeed, good choice! The company should be getting back to you shortly, they are a small operation, so it takes a bit of time. Their website shows 85% sold for 2017, so 2018 may offer a better chance of getting the dates you want. When you do get on board, we’d love if you could do a short “Reader Review” for us! The form is on our homepage. Thank you!