We were fortunate enough to spend the day sailing with Captains Dave and Barbara in late August 2017. I cannot say enough wonderful things about this entire experience. We loved the personalization of a small vessel excursion. We were free to move around the ship, bring our own beverages and food, or partake in Captain Dave's amazing cooking skills. (Splurge on Captain Dave's dinner, it is well worth it and one of the best meals we had during our visit to Washington, yummy!) It was truly wonderful to take in all of the passion and knowledge that both Captain Barbara and Captain Dave have, not only on the area, but also on all of the wildlife. We loved learning about the T-65 transient orcas, their patterns and behaviors. It is so magical to see the orcas in their natural environment. Oh, and after your trip they share the photos that they took and share them with you. I loved that I could just enjoy the journey and not worry with feeling like I had to take pictures of everything. Captain Barbara is truly passionate about the whales and her energy is infectious! They really make you feel a part of the experience! I don't know if I have ever met two people more in love with what they do and it shows through! If we make it back to the area, we fully intend to spend more time with All Aboard Sailing! Cheers to Captain Dave and Captain Barbara! read more

Captains Barbara and David were wonderful ambassadors for the San Juan Islands and advocates for the orca population in the islands. My wife and I booked a full-day sail with the hopes of seeing some whales and enjoying the scenery. We were not disappointed. Our sail started with seeing a group of ten bald eagles, some juvenile and some mature. From there, reports of a group of orcas came to the captains' radios and off we went to see the orcas. Whale watching from a sailboat is a bit more relaxed and the small setting allowed Barbara and David to share their decades of knowledge about whales to us. After seeing the orcas, we took a meandering route back to Friday Harbor with the rest of our time, coming close to interesting coastal features and seeing harbor seals, porpoises and even a river otter. Their knowledge and love of the islands is very evident in how they speak about the islands, the whales and the challenges facing the resident orca population. In addition, we had a grilled dinner on the boat and it rivaled anything you can get back in Friday Harbor. As an added bonus, Barbara sends you the pictures she took with her SLR and telephoto lens, so you can spend more time enjoying the sailing and less trying to get the perfect picture. read more

A "Whale Orca-Strated" Adventure! On a fluke, neither of us knowing anything about sailing, my husband and I decided, "Wouldn't it be a cool adventure to go for a sail while we're here on San Juan Island?" It was good fortune that the first person we queried at Friday Harbor told us about Barbara and David. "Yep, their ship looks like it's out right now, but you might try to contact them." We got a text back right away. There happened to be a room for two on the next day's sail. We couldn't have been more excited!!! Barbara and David are both licensed captains. Their toddler daughter Skye knows her way around the ship and must have been born with sea legs :) It turns out that Barbara and David are highly regarded by everyone we later met in town. Amongst their areas of expertise are whale conservation, whale identification (down to the pod and the family), whale listening, nature photography and most gracious hospitality! They're fully prepared to assure a comfortable time out with blankets, sea worthy comfy chairs and binocs. They worked tirelessly to help us spot local wild life...and orcas!!!! We were astounded by the photos they shared after our sail. We went for the sail. The orcas were an amazing bonus! read more

My 87 year old mother and our family were looking for trip that would be intimate, relaxing, and informative and David and Barbara provided exactly what we were looking for. Many of the trips we looked at online and discussed with friends seemed just the opposite with large numbers of people crammed into a boat with little opportunity to relax and enjoy the experience. On All Aboard Sailing it is just you and your friends/family and the crew. The information they provided about the history of the islands, Puget Sound, and the wildlife provided a deeper appreciation for area. It actually felt like we were sailing with friends which enriched the experience all the more. We also chose the dinner option, which I highly recommend. All in all, the experience exceeded my expectations in every way. I can't wait to go back again. read more

We have sailed with All Aboard Sailing 6 times and we can't wait to book our next trip! Captain Barbra and Captain David go above and beyond providing exceptional experiences every time. Both Captain's have an extensive background with whales and all forms of wildlife. They both have a gift for sharing their knowledge and passion. Never exceeding 6 people it's a great opportunity to spend quality time with friends and family. They provide beanbags on the deck so in between whale watching and the abundant wildlife photo opportunities you get to relax with the sounds of the sailboat working it's way through the ocean. They provide a delicious fish and veggie BBQ on request then finish with a hot tea as you drift back into the harbor with the sunset. Life doesn't get any better!! read more

We could not have asked for better!! Capt. David and Luke created life memories for our family during our sunset cruise on the Peniel. Such a wonderful way to experience the San Juan islands--sitting on the deck of a beautiful sailboat, watching eagles fly all around and the seals play in the water. Luke and Capt. David kept our whole family thoroughly engaged by sharing great information about the history, geology, ecology, and natural (and some not-so-natural) animal inhabitants of both the sea and islands. And as the temperature dropped, Capt. David brought out blankets and hats to help keep us comfortable as we continued to enjoy the sites and sunset. Cannot recommend All Aboard Sailing highly enough!! read more

All Aboard Sailing provided an incredible experience that we will cherish forever. From the moment we boarded the sailboat, we were greeted with warm hospitality and a sense of adventure. The crew was knowledgeable, friendly, and went above and beyond to ensure we had the best time. The views were absolutely breathtaking! We sailed through pristine waters and witnessed stunning wildlife up close. The attention to detail and commitment to preserving the natural beauty of the area was truly admirable. Whether you're looking to relax or explore, All Aboard Sailing has it all. We can't recommend them highly enough and can't wait to sail with them again. A perfect day on the water! read more

This was one of the best travel experiences I've ever had! Barbara and David were gracious hosts and we had a fabulous time sailing around the San Juan's. The greatest thing about this trip (unlike other commercial trips) is that they can customize it to your needs! One of the people in our (small) party wanted to see a lot of Bald Eagles, so Barbara and David didn't disappoint! You can tell they both love sailing and love showing people the beauty of the area. This is an authentic sailing experience - right down to using the bathroom on the boat! Barbara also cooks a mean Steelhead dinner - so delicious! We had the best time and hope to go again when we're in the area! read more

David and Barbara were fantastic hosts and captains, making us feel right at home on their boat the Peniel. During our afternoon sail, we saw orca, harbor seals, fallow deer on Spieden Island, and all types of birds. Barbara was fantastic at engaging with our kids (ages 7 and 9) and sharing her knowledge of the local islands and animals with them (and us, too!). The salmon dinner they prepared for us was great and hit the spot. David and Barbara are passionate about the San Juan Islands and the local environment, as well as making sure their guests have a memorable experience. I highly recommend chartering them if you are wanting a unique sailing/whale watching experience. read more

My family and I had the most wonderful time on David and Barbara's boat. Their knowledge of the area and their friendly attitude made for an exciting boat ride. We wanted to see orcas and Barbara made a very tough effort to find the pod that was in the area. We couldn't find them, but we really appreciated her enthusiasm nonetheless. There was never a dull moment as Barbara kept the conversation going, informing us of local wildlife and making us feel welcomed. They had thought of everything from blankets to hot plates and we definitely will visit them again to enjoy a wonderful boat ride. read more

It's been a while since we took our day trip, but there's not a week goes by that my 11-year old son doesn't talk about it. Between the seals, sea lions porpoises, an incredible close up with some transient orcas, and the incredible scenery, it was day to remember. Captain David is clearly a capable sailor, but he's also an excellent tour guide and a very friendly, genuine person. He made quite an impression on both me and my son (who's now enrolled in sailing lessons and is determined to captain his own boat on day!). All in all, a wonderful, memorable experience, I highly recommend! read more

Our sail was during the unpredictable spring weather. David and Barbara were very accommodating with my concerns that our family would be comfortable and be able to enjoy our trip if the weather was cold. Well, it was cold, we went anyway, and I am so glad we did! It was an absolute blast. The Captains made sure we each had a good time. They were both very knowledgeable, personable, and enthusiastic. We had never done anything like this, so it was all brand new, and we all felt totally joyfully engaged from start to finish. Wonderful people and an unforgettable experience for us. read more

Hi Barbara and David, First, I would like to thank you both once again for the most fabulous sail of a lifetime celebrating my 60th birthday. It is an experience that I have shared with others (noting the envy on their faces!) and one my husband Bob and I will NEVER forget. From whale watching, bird sightings, delicious dinner and Birthday chocolate cheesecake and much, much more I will cherish the memory always. Some cruising sailboats offer what they will call a "sail" with one sail aloft and the motor running. This was a true sail as only a former sailor would love! read more

Loved our day aboard the 42' Peniel sailboat with Captains David and Barbara. Got to follow Orca whale pods, saw them chase down two seals for a snack, and learned a lot about the pod, their habits, and how they show their baby the geography of the islands they hunt around. It was a great 5 hour day on the water. I highly recommend seeing the islands from the water on a smaller sailboat with up to a max of 6 people instead of being crammed onto a tourist attraction. It really was all about us for the day! read more

I have sailed with them for 3 years in a row. You will FALL IN LOVE with David and Barbara. You will FALL IN LOVE with the beautiful Peniel. You will FALL IN LOVE with the islands. Barbara and David are exceptional people and you will get caught up in their passion for all things...from the little puffin to the whales... from the geography to the sunsets. All that and dinner too! If you don't do anything else, go sailing with them. Just epic adventures every time. read more

Captain David took my girlfriend and I out for an amazing half-day sail. It was the best part of our vacation. As an avid traveler, I was delighted to learn that our captain was from Cornwall. He had tons of great stories about his sailing career. He knew every detail of the islands and the local wildlife. And oh brother, can he cook. The salmon was as good if not better than any of the fine dining that we encountered on the island. read more

Captain David and Barbra of All Aboard Sailing were amazing! They are so knowledgeable about the area and wildlife that not only did we have a fabulous time but we learned a lot too! We followed a pod of Orcas for our entire sailing adventure! An incredible experience! It was a bit of a rainy day but Barbra and David kept us warm and dry with blankets, umbrellas, and a hot drink! I highly recommend All Aboard Sailing! Kim read more

We had an absolute BLAST with Captain Dave and Barbara. They catered to us and personalized our tour and found a great spot for a remote picnic on yellow island. Both have a wealth of knowledge of sailing, whales and environment of the water ways and surrounding islands. They sail because they love the water and were truly a pleasure to go out with, we will be booking them in the future for further adventures. read more

I cannot explain in words what an amazing time we had on the water with All Aboard Sailing! We saw so much wildlife, we loved relaxing in their beanbags on the boat, and the knowledge they shared was so appreciated! Then, to top it off, they emailed us all the pictures they took throughout our adventure! I highly recommend taking this boat for a spin! read more