Pacific Northwest Yacht Charter Companies

You could spend a lifetime exploring the waters of the Pacific Northwest, so choosing your cruising grounds carefully for a charter will be an important part of feeling like you experienced the place to its fullest. Once you’ve decided whether you’d like to visit the San Juans, the Gulf Islands, Princess Louisa Inlet or Desolation Sound, find a charter company that’s close by and gets you started in the right area; that way you will avoid lengthy and expensive runs just to reach the jumping-off point.
Here are some companies to get you started. They’re staffed by helpful individuals who will provide information on fleets, weather, distances, opportunities for instruction, and realistic expectations.

Anacortes Yacht Charters
This outfit has been in business for over 30 years and has possibly the largest selection of yachts available. They do a brisk business in the high season of July and August so book early. Their list includes roughly 40 powerboats (29 to 60 feet) and nearly two dozen sailboats (30 to 51 feet). You can also day-charter or chose from five professionally crewed yachts (49 to 97 feet). Anacortes is a great place to start when exploring the San Juan archipelago in the U.S., but bring your passport and ask the company about requirements to take the boat into Canada. This company also manages the fleet of Moorings boats so ask specifically for them if you’d like.
Crown Yacht Charters
Crown is now managing what used to be ABC Yacht Charters that was resident in Cap Sante Boat Haven in downtown Anacortes. They offer five powerboats (32 to 42 feet) and two Catalina sailboats (34 and 36 feet). Ask about off-season specials.
Bellingham, Washington
Bellingham Yacht Sales & Charter
They have a nice offering of six late-model powerboats and trawlers for bareboat charter. They also have three large boats for premium crewed charter where your captain will be your guide. Their boats are allowed to visit Canada, just make sure to pre-arrange with the charter company and get the right paperwork to take along.
San Juan Sailing
This company is both a charter outfit and an ASA-certified sailing school. You can launch and learn or just bareboat on one of their 30 sailboats (including two catamarans) or choose from nearly 20 power vessels up to 58 feet. This company also organizes flotillas around the world.
NW Explorations
This company is unique in that it only charters Grand Banks trawlers, ranging from 36 to 52 feet. The company was started 30 years ago but has since changed names and ownership. They offer charters to Canadian and U.S. islands and have specials on extended or low-season charters.
Canada
Cooper Boating
If you’d like to cruise the Gulf Islands and other destinations in Canada, why not start in that country? Cooper Boating offers nearly 50 boats (about 70-percent sailboats and 30-percent powerboats) in three locations including Sidney, Vancouver and up in Desolation Sound. The company was started in 1983 by Forbes Cooper of Canadian boat-building fame. Today, they offer instruction, flotillas and social events like a pirate weekend and afternoon social sailing.
Nanaimo Yacht Charters & Sailing School
This Canadian company offers 16 sailboats and two powerboats. They do extensive instruction with specific courses focused on sailing, trawlers, women, navigation and more. The base is well-situated for charters on Canada’s Sunshine Coast and up into Princess Louisa Inlet.
Desolation Sound Yacht Charters
As the name says, if Desolation Sound is where you want to focus your charter, this company will start you in the heart of your chosen cruising grounds. They offer 16 sailboats and 10 powerboats and will help organize flotilla chartering so if you have a large group, just ask.
Blue Pacific Charters
Based in Vancouver, Blue Pacific can offer charters in the Northern and Southern Gulf Islands, Desolation Sound and even down to the U.S. San Juan Islands. They list two dozen powerboats up to 65 feet and seven sailboats which include one Lagoon 400 catamaran. Bareboat or guided sportfishing tours are also available.