Offering Personalized, Custom Small Ship Excursions

to the Islands of Washington State

& British Columbia

Since prehistory, people of the Salish Sea and Alaska have built their lives around their relationship to the water. Come join us as we do the same, on a voyage of new discoveries. Enjoy this place as it was meant to be seen; from the water on a lovingly restored wooden vessel. 

Where Do We Go?

We sail the San Juan Islands, the Gulf Islands and the Straits Of Georgia in British Columbia.

If you have never been to the Pacific Northwest, or have lived here for years but have never seen the Islands, this is the best way we know of for people to explore them. From Bellingham to Nanaimo and everywhere in between, you'll have the chance to explore spots in the San Juan Islands that the big ships would never dream of visiting.

Our itinerary is as flexible as your imagination. We're happy to use our years of cruising knowledge and local experience to help you plan the trip of a lifetime.

We take 2 to 4 passengers on personalized cruises.

Our season runs from April to October.

Booking Now for the 2023 Season!

What Makes our trips SO special?

• Hike ashore! A bonfire is a great way to round out the evening on a beach like the ones on Clark and Barnes Islands.

• If there are whales in the area, chances are that Capt. Ryan knows where to find them. The wildlife here is unparalleled.

• Our kayaks are a great way to get up close with nature, and to work off some of that delicious food!

• Guided visits to pristine State, National and Provincial Parks in the islands with a naturalist bent. Duke provides one of the best island experiences in the Northwest.

• Spend a day in town getting to shop local made goods, food and drink in quaint and picturesque towns like Friday, Roche and Deer harbors.

• Enjoy evenings on the back deck with a drink in hand under our shady umbrella watching the sunset in cozy Echo bay.

• Curl up on the couch with a book from our library and a cup of tea, and just let the world go by.

• Take the Helm! With the guidance of Captain Ryan, you can try your hand at steering us towards our next destination. When you’re on our ship you are part of the crew. Pitch in a little, or as much as you like.

The best part is, it’s just us out here.

This means we can adjust to the weather and your own whims. You are our only guests, and we’ll strive to make you happy. If yesterday you wanted to hike and today you want to read by the stove, that’s great!

Nothing is set in stone and we are happy to accommodate.

Come cruise with us…

For groups of 3 or 4, there is a Bunk Cabin below decks:

• If you are coming aboard as a group you will be staying the the forecastle (pronounced folk-sale).

• This is a more rustic experience, as this is where the crew used to sleep when “Duke” was still operating as a fishing boat.

• It’s a cozy space, with portholes, a skylight, shelves, a small closet and individual bunks that are on the narrow side.

• The forecastle is accessed through hatch and down a ladder.

• Standing room is limited. We recommend only for groups that are close and comfortable with each other.

• We offer this at the second rates you will see listed.

• Food and Drinks are still included!

Our Trips

ONE NIGHT EXCURSION

2 Passengers - $1000.00 Master Cabin (Queen Bed)

3 Passengers - $1150.00 Bunk Cabin/Forecastle (Bunk Beds)

4 Passengers - $1300.00 Bunk Cabin/Forecastle (Bunk Beds)

Price includes food and drinks and all amenities aboard.

Board and Disembark in Bellingham, WA.

WEEKEND ISLAND GETAWAY (2 nights)

2 Passengers - $2000.00 Master Cabin (Queen Bed)

3 Passengers - $2300.00 Bunk Cabin/Forecastle (Bunk Beds)

4 Passengers - $2600.00 Bunk Cabin/Forecastle (Bunk Beds)

Price includes food and drinks and all amenities aboard.

Board and Disembark in Bellingham, WA.

From Friday to Sunday Afternoon.

You can meet us either in Bellingham WA at Squalicum Harbor Marina or on beautiful Orcas Island, our home. We will meet you at the top of the dock to help with your bags. Step aboard and settle into your cabin. We get underway immediately for an island anchorage for the night, after looking for whales and porpoises and the San Juan Islands’ resident bird collection. We will stop for the night in a cozy harbor and drop anchor. Enjoy sunset aboard the ship, or a beach stroll ashore. An evening kayak is a great way to end the day! Locally sourced, home- cooked meals!

FOUR DAYS IN THE SAN JUANS (3 nights)

2 Passengers - $3000.00 Master Cabin (Queen Bed)

3 Passengers - $3450.00 Bunk Cabin/Forecastle (Bunk Beds)

4 Passengers - $3900.00 Bunk Cabin/Forecastle (Bunk Beds

Price includes food, drinks and all amenities aboard.

Board and disembark in Bellingham, WA.

From Thursday to Sunday Afternoon or Friday to Monday Afternoon.

Much like the Weekend Island Getaway, but with a lot more time to explore the islands. Use the extra night to paddle a kayak in a quiet cove, or go for a hike with a bottle of wine to watch the sunset.

ISLAND ADVENTURE (4 nights)

2 Passengers - $4000.00 Master Cabin (Queen Bed)

3 Passengers - $4600.00 Bunk Cabin/Forecastle (Bunk Beds)

4 Passengers - $5200.00 Bunk Cabin/Forecastle (Bunk Beds)

Price includes food, drinks and all amenities aboard.

Board and Disembark in Bellingham, Washington.

See all there is to offer in the San Juan Islands. Besides seeing and hiking the pristine islands of the State Park system, enjoy time in the communities that make this place special. A visit to Rosario Resort on Orcas Island or Friday Harbor on San Juan Island! This trip is the perfect way to see everything. There are also opportunities to do guided activities through vendors ashore. A guided kayak? Whale watching on a fast boat? A bicycle ride to Mt Constitution? All of these are possible while on the 5 day trip. We will contact a vendor we know and trust, and you pay them directly. Just ask!

BEAUTIFUL BRITISH COLUMBIA: BRING YOUR PASSPORT! On Weeklong Adventures we can offer trips to Canada’s Gulf Islands! We handle all of the Customs hassle for you. The added cost to the trip is $700.00 to cover US Customs dues.

The Gulf Islands of British Columbia offer delights like small communities on Saltspring Island, provincial parks and more! Princess Louisa Inlet and the nearby fjords is something everyone should see in their lives; it’s breathtaking.

We Offer DAY SAILS!

Want to get out on the water, but don’t have a lot of time to spare? Don’t worry, we have a fix for that. A Day Sail is one of the best options for getting out to the islands from the comfort of the deck, or get some day hiking in on a pristine island.

Prices do not include a 8% Washington sales tax.

6 Passengers Max

Sunset Cruise: $450 3 hour Cruise from Bellingham to beautiful Chuckanut and Pleasant Bays. Enjoy an included bottle of local wine or beer and a local cheese and fruit platter. Watch for birds and seals as we cruise past the unique sandstone formations that make this place special. Drop anchor and enjoy the company.

Day Sail: $825 8 hour Cruise from Bellingham past Lummi and Eliza Islands, and anchor at Cypress Island, the least populated of the San Juan Island group. Take the kayak or dingy ashore, and go for a hike on the numerous trails, surrounded by spruce, Douglass fir and cedar trees. Laze on the beach and enjoy a snack at the picnic tables. Capt. Ryan can lead a hike and show you his favorite spots. You may even catch a glimpse of the nesting Peregrine Falcons! Back on the boat for the trip back to Bellingham. Includes local beer and wine as well as a local charcuterie plate.

 Life Aboard the “Duke”

“Duke is an old fishing boat;

She’s stout, tough and spartan.

She has a proud history

and we like her the way she is.”

-Capt Ryan

It’s all part of the experience of being in a small, floating, wooden world together. 

“Duke” may not be a luxury liner, but you'll find her cozy nonetheless. We like to think of our guests more like crew.

• The Main Cabin carries a queen- size bed that folds up during the day into a comfortable reading couch, with a table to write on as well. Enjoy a cozy night around the Dickinson stove while you pull a book from our shipboard library of some of the greatest naturalist writings of the Pacific Northwest. 

• The Galley is efficient and well-appointed, with all the perks of land from hot water to refrigeration.

• The Forecastle has 4 bunkbed-style beds

• The Wheelhouse is the social heart of the vessel. Enjoy the view from the helm, and help yourself to a pair of binoculars to see wildlife and find your way.. All of this is centered around a cozy dining table in lovely finished wood. 

• The "Head", or bathroom on Duke was designed for comfort. Duke holds 500 gals of potable water to supply the full shower.

• On deck, we have deck chairs and a dining table with an umbrella for the hot summer days. Of course, we have a small boat you can row or motor, a stand-up paddle board and kayaks.

Your Crew

Captain Ryan Downs has been living in the Northwest since 2003. He was raised in California, and fell in love with the fog and the trees when he went to college at Humboldt State University, earning a bachelors degree in history. Mostly, he studied the maritime history of the Northwest. He began working on boats in 2005, first on tall ships, or historic wooden sailing ships, learning traditional seamanship. Since then, he has captained sail-training, pleasure and passenger vessels, working the West Coast from Alaska to the Sea of Cortez. He has worked on the east coast from Maine to Baltimore as well as in the Caribbean. Capt. Ryan holds a 100 Ton Near Coastal Masters License from the US Coast Guard. He is a Certified Interpretive Guide, and has Wilderness First Responder medical training. Captain Ryan knows these waters very well, having operated excursion vessels here for the last 10 years. He is an avid storyteller and naturalist, as well as a backpacking and kayaking guide. He bought Duke in 2015 so he and Kati can share their passion for the Northwest with guests. 

Deckhand - Kati Chapman has roots in the PNW that span back generations. Born and raised in Bellingham, she chose to work and travel after graduating high school. She lived in Arizona, Alaska, Utah and South Carolina, but felt called back to her roots. Growing up, she got to sail Bellingham Bay and the San Juan Islands with friends and spent family vacations exploring the Washington coast and surrounding mountains. An avid hiker and backpacker, she often likes to get out of “town” whenever she can. When her and Ryan met, he hadn’t quite got up the guts to start the business, so she coxed him along till he got it together. She brings her talents for hospitality, logistics and resourcefulness, along with her love of wilderness and passion for the place she calls home.

Our Ship…

Fishing Vessel "Duke"

Stats:

• Year Built: 1947 Tacoma, WA

• Construction: Wood (Douglass fir planking on oak frames)

• Length: 47 ft

• Beam: 13 ft

• Draft: 5 ft 6 in

• Mast Height: 37 ft

• Sleeps 6 Passengers

“Duke” is a perfect and defining example of troller fishing vessels of the era: tough built, no frills.

Her lines are nonetheless graceful, and she is a stout sea boat. She has the ubiquitous Detroit Diesel 671 engine.

Duke began her working life in Sitka, Alaska as a fishing vessel. She moved down to Eureka, California in the 1950s, fishing to the mid 1990s. She made an appearance in the 1992 film "Jennifer 8", with Andy Garcia and Uma Thurman! 

She was sold again and moved to Port Townsend, Washington. She was rebuilt into a live -aboard vessel and said goodbye to her work deck. In return, she got a spacious queen-sized cabin, library, and a cozy stove for chilly nights. Captain Ryan Downs bought her in 2015 with the idea of taking passengers to the San Juan Islands and Southeast Alaska.

Testimonials

“A 5-star journey that will change your life.”

“The San Juans had been on my list for a really long time but for some reason always seemed a bit elusive. I dreamed to go without the crowds, the ferry reservations, and have access to places only explorable by boat.  Capt. Ryan fulfilled my desires and created the most amazing trip imaginable.  So much so, I booked another trip before disembarking from my first trip.
 

Capt. Ryan lives for the San Juans.  This covenant to the land, water, history, and culture radiate from his personal experiences, research, and some old-time sailor stories.  The Duke is his wonderfully restored fishing vessel with loads of character and charm.  Everything you need for a modern "off-the-grid" trip.  You will be lulled into relaxation as The Duke chugs along from island to island while Capt. Ryan whips up a personalized trip for you.  Whether you interested in hiking, wild life watching, or just chillin on a secluded beach... Capt. Ryan knows the spots.
 

Capt. Ryan is a pro.  He's a fun and whimsical character who always has his eyes on the horizon and safety is his number one priority.  I feel at ease knowing he is at the helm while I'm grilling steaks off the stern.”

-Scott C, Seattle, WA