FAQs

How to book?

Your reservation should be made early. The number of participants on each cruise is limited between 12 and 16 guests. To book your cruise, please call us, email us or complete our request booking sheet online.

NORTH AMERICA TOLL FREE: +1 844 504 1392
LOCAL: 604 566 8027
EMAIL: info@coastalcruises.ca

Do I need to pay a deposit?

Balance is due 60 days prior to arrival, after which the entire amount is non-refundable. Unconfirmed reservations may be held for up to one week, when reservations are outside of 90 days and circumstances allow.

Balance is due 60 days prior to arrival, after which it is non-refundable. Unconfirmed reservations may be held for up to one week, when reservations are outside of 90 days and circumstances allow.

Cancellations have a profound impact to a small, exclusive operation; as such, we do not provide refunds unless our cruise has been cancelled. We recommend all guests to purchase cancellation insurance. For a quote, please ask us about our own Travel Insurance offered through our partners.

How can I pay for my booking?/ What methods of payment do you accept for my booking?

We accept payments by all major credit cards (American Express, Master Card, and Visa), cheque or wire transfer. Homfray Lodge accepts Visa and MasterCard (gift shop). Please Contact Us for bank details.

When is final payment due and will you send me a reminder?

We’re here to help and your credit is important to us. We will send a reminder before processing the final payment which is due 60 days prior to your trip. You may make payments as often as you’d like but please check our Terms & Conditions for more information.

Are your prices per room/chalet or per person?

All of our prices are listed per person based on two occupants per accommodation, except when noted differently (quad occupancy rate for two-bedroom chalet).

How do I get to Lund

You can fly from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to Powell River Airport (YPW) with Pacific Coastal Airlines. We offer a complimentary schedule once daily airport transfer from Powell River Airport and Lund. Seaplane charter options are also available between the Lund and Vancouver, Campbell River, Whistler, Tofino, Seattle and any other destination.

If you are driving, you drive from either Vancouver or Comox with BC Ferries. If driving from Vancouver, you will take BC Ferries from Horseshoe Bay to Langdale (40 minutes) on the Sunshine Coast, then proceed north for 1 1/2 hours on Highway 101 to Earl’s Cove, where you’ll board another BC Ferry to Saltery Bay (50 minutes), which is located on the north end of the Sunshine Coast. From there, continue to travel north on Highway 101 through Powell River (30 minutes) and on to Lund. You can also take BC Ferries from Comox, on Vancouver Island, to Powell River. There is long term and short term parking available in Lund. You can arrange parking.

Water Taxis are available from Lund (1 hour) or Campbell River (1 1/2 hours) if you are arriving outside of our scheduled cruise departure. Please Contact Us if you need help booking your water taxi.

For full detailed information on getting to our cruise embarkation locations please see our Arrival/Departure information here.

What meals are included?

Your accommodation on a Pacific Coastal Cruise will include all meals, unless noted, from dinner on the first day until breakfast on the last day with daily, wholesome, family style dining with complimentary house beverages with dinner. Beginning with several hot items for breakfast and lighter fare lunches, dinners will feature a variety of tasteful entrees throughout your stay. Along with our plentiful seafood bounty, more land based tastes will also be accommodated. If you have any dietary needs or allergies, please let us know at the time of booking.

Can I bring my own alcohol?

Beer and wine are included as part of your package and as we are a licensed venue, outside alcohol cannot be consumed in any shared space such as the great room, dining room, fire pit or dock area, but may be consumed in the privacy of your room.

What kitchen facilities are available?

As Pacific Coastal Cruises offers an all-inclusive experience, kitchens are not applicable

My family is interested in a cruise with Pacific Coastal Cruises & Tours. Do you accommodate families?

We do! Our 4 day, 3 night Homfray Explorer Cruise is perfect for a family exploration. This cruise tour requires less time cruising and more time at the lodge for water activities and just sitting back and relaxing. Please contact us if you’d like more information.

Is fishing available at any of the resorts?

Fishing is only available at Homfray Lodge with basic fishing equipment. Guests can fish right from our massive dock and our chef will be happy to cook your catch for dinner!

What is there to do on the day at leisure at Homfray Lodge?

In the heart of the wilderness, there’s a lot to do at Homfray Lodge! Oysters grow in abundance around the lodge and curious Harbour Seals are often seen swimming just off the dock. Water temperatures can exceed 22°C (75°F) making the dock a natural hub of activity and place to sit back and relax. Guests also get full use of the lodge facilities including our Great Room with library and board games, Wi-Fi, BBQ deck, campfires, kayaks, stand up paddle boards, swimming, wildlife viewing, rugged trails, stargazing, morning yoga, stretch classes and the option to join an eco boat tour to explore the nearby waters. Please make arrangements in advance as some activities are subject to availability.

Is there any trails at Homfray Lodge?

For the adventurous, we have two short nature trails that take you for a short distance into the surrounded rugged coastal rainforest. One takes you uphill to our water source on the creek and the other trail follows the waterline to Foster Point where you can view the Homfray Channel and view back towards the lodge. Both trails are about 30 minutes round-trip. Please note both trails are rough hiking trails and may not be suitable for all. If you need assistance, we are always happy to help.

Are pets allowed?

Due to the small ship cruise and small area of the Pacific Bear, dogs or pets are not allowed on our cruises or tours.

What is the bed configuration of each of the rooms and cabins?

Two Bedroom Chalets -sleep up to 6 guests and offer stunning waterfront views of Homfray Channel. Chalets feature two queen beds plus a loft with two more beds, a 3-piece bathroom, a private waterfront balcony with seating for four, a sink and a table for 6. There are two, Two Bedroom Chalets available.

The One Bedroom Chalet - sleeps 4 guests and offers stunning waterfront views of Homfray Channel towards Channel Island and Toba Inlet. The chalet features a queen bed plus a loft with two more beds, a private waterfront balcony with seating for two, a sink and a table to seat 4 guests. There is only one, One bedroom Chalet available.

Lodge Suites - These suites sleep up to 2 guests and feature a queen bed, seating for 2, a private 3-piece bathroom, seating for two, and ocean views. One Lodge Suite is available with a separate room with bunks suitable for 2 small children. There are 4 Lodge Suites available.

Which chalet/room is the most accessible?

Chalet #1 is a Two Bedroom Chalet closest to the dock and Chalet #3 is a One Bedroom Chalet furthest from the lodge.

Lodge Suite #1 is ideal for those with mobility issues as it is on the main floor of the lodge and closest to the great room and dining area. All guests should be aware that the ramp from the dock can become quite steep in low tide and there are some stairs to get to the great room.

How active are your cruises? Do I need to be physically fit?

No, you don’t need to be physically fit to join our cruises. Our tours are accessible for anyone and require an average level of physical activities. You should be able to climb stairs as there are a couple of steps to get onto the boat, a flight of stairs to get on top of the boat, and a dozen stairs to access the main lodge at Homfray Lodge. Note: our trips are not suitable for those relying on a walker. Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

What is there to do in the evenings?

Evenings are at your leisure, so you can expect to do whatever suits your fancy. Relax, rejuvenate, and visit with your fellow travellers. If you’re feeling like some quiet time, find a comfy spot to read a book or play a board game from our collection in the great room.

How are gratuities handled?

Gratuities are $35/day per guest and will be added to your final price at the time of booking. Gratuities will be shared among your onboard and Homfray Lodge crew. If you wish to express an individual gratuity, these gratuities are entirely done on a one to one basis.

Do you have Internet or email access on your vessel?

No, WIFI is only available at lodges: Oceanfront Suites at Cowichan Bay, Poets Cove Resort & Spa, Tsa-Kwa-Luten Lodge, and Homfray Lodge.

Will I be able to use my cell phone or is there access to a phone aboard the ship?

Cell phones sometimes work near more populated areas. A satellite phone is available at Homfray Lodge for emergency use only, but you will be able to access your cell phones at all other lodges: Oceanfront Suites at Cowichan Bay, Poets Cove Resort & Spa, and Tsa-Kwa-Luten Lodge.

How should we dress for meals?

All meals are casual and feature open seating. There is no need to dress up at any time, simply wear what's comfortable.

Are there any medical facilities or personnel on board your vessels?

Our crew is trained in both First Aid and CPR and there are First Aid supplies on board.

Will I get seasick?

The areas and waters we travel are mostly protected. The Pacific Bear is a refurbished fishing vessel, perfect for traveling the rugged coast. It is a very sturdy boat weighing 80 tonnes. Seasickness medication is kept on board our boat, if needed. If you are prone to seasickness or traveling with children, you should consult your physician prior to your departure. The captain will update you when there might be extra motion so you can take the medication in enough time to be effective.

Are your vessels wheelchair accessible?

We try to accommodate all guests wishing to travel with us. Our primary concern is the health, safety, and well-being of our guests and crew. For guests requiring a wheelchair, our vessel has certain physical conditions such as raised doorway thresholds, stairways, and narrow hallways that may limit or preclude the accessibility of wheelchair guests from some areas or leaving the vessel. Guests needing any form of assistance and those who are physically disabled must be accompanied by someone who will take full responsibility for any needed assistance during the cruise and in the event of an emergency.

Is smoking allowed on the cruise or at the lodges? What about Marijuana use?

Smoking is prohibited anywhere on the vessels. Smoking is allowed at lodges, but only in designated areas. To protect the environment, guests should always discard cigarettes and cigars where ashtrays are provided.

No cannabis or CBD products in any form are allowed aboard the vessels due to Canadian and US regulatory laws. 

Do you have child-sized boots and rain gear onboard or should I bring them with us?

We do not supply rain gear and boots in kids sizes so yes, you should bring your own.

What clothes should I pack?

Each destination is different, but in general, pack for a wide variety of weather conditions. We recommend you check the weather forecast for your destination before your departure. It's best to pack moisture-wicking fabrics you can layer to be prepared for temperature changes and comfortable clothes for relaxing onboard and at the lodges. Please see our suggested list below:

• Comfortable pants
• Shorts
• Light jacket or rain jacket
• Good walking shoes
• Sweater or fleece jacket
• Sunglasses
• Bathing suit
• Sunhat or warm hat and warm gloves
• Binoculars
• Personal toiletries and medication (sunscreen, lip balm, Gravol/motion sickness medication)
• Personal water bottle
• Daypack
• Camera
• Personal devices like tablets or cell phones (Note there is no cell coverage at Homfray Lodge but we have Wi-fi and a Satellite phone

Is there a limit to how much luggage I can bring?

No limit, but storage space is limited and whatever you bring needs to be stowed on the boat. Try to limit your bags to two bags per person.

Do I need travel insurance?

We recommend you purchase travel insurance so you can relax and enjoy your trip with peace of mind. Please ask us about our own Travel Insurance offered through our partners.

Can I have my own room? Is there a single supplement?

Yes. Many of our guests are single travellers. Our rooms accommodate up to two people in each. We can request a room share with another single traveller of the same gender, if needed. If you’re not comfortable sharing a room with someone of the same gender, you also have the choice to pay for a single supplement. Guests are welcome to make special requests in advance and we will try to fulfill them, if possible, at the start of the trip.

Do I need money during the trip? Will there be anything to buy?

You may want to bring cash and your credit card. Some items are available at lodges’ gift shops that you may wish to purchase. On some of our trips, we may stop in small communities where local crafts are available and where credit cards are not accepted.

What’s the weather going to be like?

Usually, the Pacific Coast has a good variety of constantly changing weather. Expect a mixture of sunshine, rain and wind on most trips. We suggest you check the forecast before your trip for the most accurate weather.

What wildlife will I see?

We expect to see a variety of wildlife on all our trips including: eagles, seals, sea lions, dolphins, humpback whales, and orcas, just to name a few. Wildlife is wild life and have their own agenda. It is only luck that determines how close wildlife comes to us or how spectacular their behaviour. Our crew are very good at spotting animals and along with enthusiastic guests, spend a great deal of time looking. Bring your binoculars. We take a cautious approach when observing wildlife. We do not want to apply any pressure to animals that could result in a change in their behaviour.