This sailing trip was all about slowing down and savoring the beauty of the Gulf Islands for a week along the coast. We reserved one night at Poet’s Cove Marina & Spa on Pender Island for a relaxing midweek break and planned to seek out the best sunset beaches to enjoy in September. For the rest of the journey, we decided to play it by ear and let the wind and weather guide us.
We knew the first and last days would be the longest stretches, and it was also our first time taking our 2.5-year-old son on a full seven-day sailing trip. He’s spent plenty of time aboard Tyra before, but never more than three consecutive days.
Tide tables and weather forecasts reviewed; route plotted through the Navionics® Boating app. Tyra, our Bavaria 32.5′ (9.9 m) sloop, draws 6.5 ft (2.0 m) with a beam of 11.2 ft (3.42 m), trimmed and ready for the passage with the following high level plan:
- Burrard Civic Marina → Silva Bay 25 nm (SAILING)
- Silva Bay → Princess Cove Distance: 16 nm.
- Princess Cove → Montague Harbour Distance: 6.3 nm
- Montague Harbour → Poets Cove Distance: 11.5 nm.
- Poets Cove Distance→ Montague Harbour 11.5 nm.
- Montague Harbour → Burrard Civic Marina: Distance: 31.8 nm
For our first stop, we chose Pages Marina at Silva Bay one of the closest full-service marinas in the Gulf Island after crossing the Strait of Georgia. On the way there, we were delighted to spot two humpback whales traveling in the same direction, making it an unforgettable experience for our little sailor. The marina offered quiet and secure moorings, a small store stocked with essentials (and drinks 🍷), and a large grassy area where kids could run freely. There were even pear trees to climb and pick from. This is a perfect first stop for our adventure.
During this long leg, we converted the starboard galley seating area into a toddler activity corner. By adding extra cushioning, we expanded the space, making it easy for him to sit or lie down to read, color, or work on activity books while we navigated the passage. During this longest leg of the trip, our toddler felt a bit seasick, but the comfort of resting in his mom’s lap quickly soothed him and helped him recover.
We intentionally picked this marina to be close to the Gabriola Passage and take advantage of the early morning passage. The next morning, we carefully timed our departure to align with the slack current and eased through the passage. It’s a narrow passage between islands, where the current is usually very strong except during the brief period when the tide changes as the flood current turns to ebb (or vice versa). During this short slack-water interval, which occurs roughly every six hours, the current speed drops close to zero knots. To pass safely through the channel, we planned our transit during one of these intervals, aiming for a morning window to make the most efficient use of our time. When checking the official current tables, note that the listed times of the tidal turns are in PDT (UTC-8). For instance, in our case on September 21st, the safest time to pass was around 10:23 a.m. During the summer months, remember to add one hour to the listed time to account for daylight saving time and pinpoint the exact moment of the turn. It’s also wise to keep an offline copy of the current tables, as cellular coverage around the Gulf Islands can be unreliable, and you may not be able to access or download them when needed.
Afterward, we sailed south to Princess Cove on Wallace Island a safe, picturesque cove within a marina park. The spot offers an incredible sunset view, a charming hike, and a small beach that looks straight out of a movie scene. It’s calm, relaxing, and perfect for kids.
While there, we paddleboarded out to the small rocks anchored in the middle of the bay to see seals sunbathing up close. Onshore, we enjoyed a scenic hike along the coastal trails, taking in the tranquil surroundings and sweeping maritime vistas. As night fell, the sky above opened into a crystal-clear canopy of stars, with the Big Dipper hanging like a celestial compass overhead. It was the perfect setting to navigate the constellations with our toddler and answer hundreds of curious “why” questions about the universe, planets, and the vast open sea.
The next morning, we sailed toward Montague Harbour Marine Provincial Park, picked up one of the mooring buoys, and went for a hike to its beautiful west-facing beach. After a lovely dinner at Montague Bay and some evening paddleboarding around the harbor, we called it a night. By our third day, we had encountered no issues, seasickness, or difficulties sailing with a toddler. However, in September, the water is too cold for a swim without a wetsuit, which made us even more excited for our next stop at Poet’s Cove to enjoy their heated pool and jacuzzi.
Our toddler is now 2.5, and since he was six months old, he’s spent a lot of time on Tyra. He’s familiar with the space and has had plenty of practice moving safely around the boat, going up and down the steps to the galley, holding onto the lifelines, and recognizing potential hazards. Tyra offers a safe and comfortable environment for him to explore, and he’s already developed the kind of balance and muscle memory on deck that most of us only mastered in our twenties or thirties.
Montague Bay offered a relaxing night and a peaceful morning, so we took it slow and left the bay around noon, arriving at Poet’s Cove Marina around 4 p.m. Dinner that evening was pasta with tuna and a fresh salad enjoyed at sunset.
Poet’s Cove Resort & Spa has plenty to offer for both toddlers and adults. There’s a cozy coffee shop serving freshly baked bread and pastries, the Moorings Market with a conveniently located liquor store, and a restaurant/pub that’s perfect for brunch, dinner, or evening cocktails with a beautiful view of the harbor. The marina offers well-protected slips, making it an ideal spot for sailors to tie up and unwind after a day on the water.
The next day, we considered visiting the Japanese Memorial Garden on Mayne Island, but the idea of having dinner back at Montague Bay’s west-facing beach with sunset was too tempting to resist. The “white sand” shore, actually made up of countless crushed shells and the safety of the calm harbor made it an easy choice. After weighing the effort of another hike, beach time, and paddling, we decided to change course and head back to Montague Bay, where we spent the night once again moored to one of the buoys.
Throughout the trip, we sailed whenever conditions allowed basically anytime the wind reached 6 knots or more. We used the motor when the wind dropped below that or when we needed to reach the dock before dark. Whenever the wind picked up, we reefed the sails to keep the boat as flat and comfortable as possible, prioritizing comfort over speed.
Tips for Sailing with a Toddler on a Week-Long Trip
- Build Up Slowly: Gradually extend the hours and days on the sailboat (Tyra) before a week+ trip to identify potential problem areas and get your toddler comfortable on board. Begin with short outings (30–60 minutes) in calm waters before attempting longer sails. Treat these as mini-adventures. The goal is comfort, not distance. Spend time onboard at the dock or marina before you even set sail let your toddler explore safely.
- Training: Involve Them in Simple “Crew” TasksUse sailing language casually “Ready for tack”, “tacking,” “ready for a Jibe ho“, “Jibing”,” “Let’s check our heading.” A great book we read many between the age of 1 and 2.5 was AHOY
- Safety First: Always have a well-fitted toddler life jacket. Keep a constant eye on your toddler and consider a harness or leash in high-risk areas. We used a tether to attach his lifejacket to ours, which worked very well. Create clear boundaries i.e what’s safe to touch, climb, or lean on. Always model calmness as toddlers pick up on your confidence. Also having a folding/collapsable fishing net helps to collect overboard toys from the sea
- Comfort & Sleep: Pack cozy blankets along with your toddler’s favorite pillow or stuffed animal. Maintain a consistent sleep routine even on the boat to help them rest well.
- Shore/Offshore Adventures: Consider a toddler backpack for hikes or exploring on shore.Let them “help” by tidying the lines, steering while you are at the helm
- Food & Snacks: Bring plenty of toddler-friendly snacks and easy-to-prepare meals to keep them energized and happy.
- Entertainment: Bring books, toys, and small activities that won’t roll away or get lost easily. Include water-safe toys for play on deck. We also bring a paddleboard in addition to the dinghy it’s great for commuting and keeping an active lifestyle on the water.
- Clothing & Sun Protection: Pack layered clothing for variable weather. Bring sun hats, sunglasses, and toddler-safe sunscreen. Include waterproof jackets and shoes for wet conditions.
- Health & Hygiene: Keep a well-stocked first aid kit for minor injuries or seasickness. Pack extra diapers, wipes, and spare pants.
- Sailing Plans: Plan shorter sailing legs to reduce toddler fatigue and schedule frequent stops at calm anchorages or marinas. Have a contingency plan in case of sudden weather changes or seasickness.
- Emergency Preparedness: Know the nearest medical facilities at each stop in case of emergencies.
- Flexibility & Mindset: Accept that plans may need to change. Prepare for limited nap times and occasional fussiness. Stay calm and focus on making the experience enjoyable for both toddler and adults.
- Crew Coordination: Align with your crew beforehand on plans and potential issues when sailing with a toddler. Make sure your toddler has spent time with the crew prior to the trip and feels comfortable and trusts them.
Raising a little sailor isn’t about speed or distance. It’s about connection, confidence, joy and building trust. The sea offers endless opportunities to explore, learn, and grow together. With patience and preparation, your toddler will soon see your sailboat not as something unfamiliar, but as an extension of home one that floats, sways, and sails toward adventure.
Sertan Gun (Skipper) & Alexandra LeFort (Skipper)