Anacortes, WA Outdoor Activities

Skipper Sergei Rovensky, the mariner at the heart of Bowen Sailing Charters, and other skippers saddle up the 55-foot Valhalla for smooth, recreational jaunts through the neighbouring waters of Bowen Island. The beloved luxury yacht is one of only 250 in the Vagabond series created by English shipbuilder Ernest Chamberlain, whose handiwork was recently updated in 2011 when Captain Sergei gave the vessel a makeover. The renovation preserved the yacht's timeless sailboat elements, such as polished-brass hardware, a classic silhouette, and a porthole eye patch. The Valhalla grants charter groups the thrill of a modern-day sea adventure, sailing to the Octopus Islands and other scenic locales as passengers enjoy the ship's many amenities, such as a flat-screen television, an elegant rosewood dining table, and WiFi. The same teak wood that trims the cabin's interior makes up Valhalla's 47-foot deck, where passengers can cast salmon-seeking fishing lines or leap off into the waves for snorkeling.

The goal of whisking merrymakers off of terra firma and onto the open water for unforgettable evenings drives FantaSea Entertainment’s team to constantly create new and thrilling party plans. Throughout the year, seasoned captains pilot revellers around Vancouver’s waterways as they celebrate big-ticket occasions such as New Year’s Eve and Canada Day or commemorate smaller happenings such as the advent of the weekend or the one-week anniversary of last Friday. While entertainment lineups vary from cruise to cruise, past acts have included fire shows, sets by local comedians, black-light body-paint dances, and DJ sets.

On scenic Salt Spring Island, the Raw on the Rawk Festival invites visitors to partake in fresh morsels from a variety of raw-food vendors, attend intriguing lectures, and learn from experts during interactive workshops. Influential speakers include Preet Marwaha, owner of Organic Lives and instructor at the Institute of Holistic Nutrition¬¬; co-creator of Raw Vegan Frederic Patenaude; raw-food chefs; and the Jolly Green Giant’s first cousin. Between lectures, festival-goers can participate in yoga sessions, taste-test plant-based foods from a plethora of raw vendors, and gather tips and techniques on sustaining raw-food diets. The festival concludes on Sunday morning with a vegan brunch, during which guests enjoy plant-based foods while mingling with newfound friends.

On May 11 and 12, more than 500 local and indie vendors will crowd The Great Canadian Craft Fair: Spring Fling!, selling handmade crafts amid seasonal festivities at the Vancouver Convention Center. You can browse seemingly endless rows of vendors showcasing jewelry, housewares, children’s items, clothing, and art as live music plays in the backdrop. The organizers also curated a men’s section, catering specifically to male-centric needs such as utilitarian messenger bags or beard-shaving robots. Among the vendors showcasing their wares: Patti’s Pottery, Howling Dog Art, and Stationary Bike Designs, alongside foodie-oriented sellers such as Kitchening and Co., Smitten Truffles, and In The Oven Bakery. There’s even a farmers’ market on hand, with local produce, live artist demonstrations, and kids’ activities.