Marine Link Tours Freight Boat Cruise Vacations
"A One of a Kind Journey into the Pacific Northwest's Inside Passage"
Cruise the inland waterways of coastal British Columbia and experience the magic of the MV Aurora Explorer, a 135 foot landing craft that transports a wide variety of heavy equipment and general freight throughout the Gulf of Georgia and the remote inlets of Johnstone and Queen Charlotte Straits. You will enjoy rugged coastal scenery, observe many species of whales and other sea life, and experience the history and influence of the early explorers, settlers, cannery workers and native populations on the coast. You'll listen as the crew works the radio telephones or navigates the ship by radar and watch as freight is loaded and discharged along the way.
The Aurora Explorer operates from a base at Menzies Bay (15 km north of Campbell River, BC, Canada), and offers a dining lounge, lower deck lounge and bridge deck lounge for passenger comfort and viewing. There is a nautical and history library of coastal BC on board. The vessel has outside observation decks where passengers can observe activity on the freight deck, enjoy the passing scenery or simply lie back and soak up the sunshine and salt air.
The Aurora Explorer is Transport Canada Ship Safety approved and carries the full range of safety equipment as directed by the Canadian Coast Guard.
Passenger accommodations are premium staterooms with twin beds and forward viewing windows, or standard staterooms equipped with bunkbeds. There are six shared washrooms, three shower rooms and adjacent washer/dryer. Passenger accommodation is offered on regular freight voyages to a variety of coastal locations. Trip packages are five days in duration.
Passengers enjoy observing the ship at work, but there's also time for play. Going ashore for a picnic or exploring tidepools in a hidden bay, throwing in a line when the vessel is waiting on the tide and barbeques on the back deck or beach, are all part of the pleasures of freightboat cruising on the Aurora Explorer.
"We enjoyed the trip so very much. I can not say enough about the friendliness of the crew and staff. The trip was all that we had hoped for. The bathroom situation which you know I was concerned about was not a problem at all. The house keeping was perfect. The food was outstanding. Thank you so much and please give my thanks to all the staff."
– Margaret Gardner, Sykesville MD
"Just a word to let you know that my wife Bev and I had a great time on our recent trip on board Aurora Explorer. We had unique experiences, good food, a fine crew who could not have done more for us and comfortable accommodation aboard the Explorer. We are so glad to have had the opportunity to do this trip. thank you "
– Tom Lownie
