Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    NW Explorations

    5.0 (1 review)

    Services - NW Explorations

    Boat charters

    NW Explorations Photos

    Recommended Reviews - NW Explorations

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Island Cruising - Our fantastic location in Deep Cove.

    Island Cruising

    (13 reviews)

    I recently chartered a Jeanneau 440 through Island Cruising--a stunning yacht with sleek lines and…read moresuperb sailing performance. Having owned a similar vessel and chartered more times than I can count, I know what separates a top-tier charter company from a floating headache. Island Cruising, unfortunately, falls squarely into the latter. Let's start with the good: the boat itself was excellent. Well-equipped, comfortable, and ideal for a couple--or two. The twin rudders do have a knack for attracting kelp, but that's a minor quirk in an otherwise delightful sailing experience. Now, the company. Island Cruising's operations are a masterclass in how not to run a charter business. I won't echo the more colorful reviews suggesting Larry, the owner, return to South Africa--but I will say he's one of the most combative individuals I've encountered in the boating world. I understand being protective of an $800,000 yacht, but Larry's approach is less "professional caution" and more "ego on parade." When I submitted a perfectly reasonable sail plan, he pounced on the fact that it crossed ferry lanes--as if I'd never sailed from Sidney to Salt Spring before. Spoiler: you have to cross ferry lanes. His critique felt more like a self-aggrandizing performance than a concern. Ironically, in Larry's own marina, there's a submerged buoy that becomes a stealth hazard at high tide. When I asked why it hadn't been fixed, he shrugged and said he'd get to it "someday." Apparently, safety is negotiable. Our charter began with half a tank of fuel. Larry's solution? "Fill it up and I'll sort it out later." Famous last words. I trusted him and set sail. Things went smoothly until we headed from South Pender to Port Friday in the U.S.--where I discovered the boat's registration was missing. The manual said it should be in the chart table. It wasn't. I called Larry and he insisted I wasn't looking hard enough (I was). Eventually, he sent me the bill of sale, which U.S. Customs obviously deemed useless - Obviously, Larry didn't seem to know the difference between a bill or sale and a boat's registration. I had to pay a fee to enter and exit the country. Larry's response? Indifference. Would I charter from Island Cruising again? Only if I could bypass Larry entirely. His communication style is transactional at best--emails only get answered when money's involved. He charged us for linens that turned out to be torn sleeping bags, and one storage compartment was a science experiment of leaking beer cans and slime. We paid for a 4 p.m. pre-board, but Larry was still pressure-washing the deck at 5. Larry's goal is to sell the company and retire. Based on my experience, he'll need more than a mop and a smile to clean up his reputation. As of today, I've received no compensation for the fuel or customs fees, despite multiple follow-ups. In short: the boat was a dream, but the charter experience was a headache. If you value professionalism, steer clear of Island Cruising--unless you enjoy navigating bureaucracy more than the open sea.

    Our third charter with Island Cruising was a great experience leading us two up the Broughton's…read moreArchipelago with the powerboat "Melisssa Ruth" covering easily 650 nm in 20 days. Though the boat had some unexpected issues Larry was permanently attainable by what's up phone and always found a solution. After a challenging journey passing twice the Seymour Narrows and the Johnstone Strait we returned safe and in time. I'd like to add that the homebase Deep Cove Marina has quite a tricky approach due to some large rocks and can be reached only with a tide over 2m and best with very low or no wind. In doubts fix the boat at a buoy and ask for help. Larry will give his best to assist you.

    NW Explorations - boating - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...