Island Marine Adventures - Nanaimo, British Columbia

James M.

Island Marine Adventures turned an ordinary afternoon into a once-in-a-lifetime memory for our whole family—grandparents, parents, and two very excited kids. From the moment we stepped aboard Shadowfax, Captain Hans’ gorgeous, spotless catamaran, we felt like VIP guests rather than “just another tour.”

Warm, personal welcome: Hans greeted us with genuine enthusiasm, perfectly sized life-jackets, and a quick, confidence-boosting safety briefing that even kept our six-year-old’s attention.

Wildlife galore: Within minutes we were gliding past a raft of seals while bald eagles circled overhead. Hans shared fun facts and local lore that made each sighting extra special.

Small-group charm: With a max of about a dozen guests, everyone had space to relax and unobstructed views—no jostling or straining to hear the captain.

By the time the sun dipped below the horizon, we’d seen seals, eagles, and postcard-perfect coastline, all while feeling like we were sailing with an old friend. Captain Hans doesn’t just run a tour; he crafts unforgettable memories.

If you’re in Nanaimo and want to experience the West Coast at its best, book Island Marine Adventures. Five glowing stars from every generation in our crew—we’re already planning a return trip!

Lisa M.

Where do I start……Hans was the most amazing tour guide & companion to have on this adventure! He made sure we were all safe & aware of everywhere & everything on the catamaran. And still let us have tons of fun!!! From crabbing, picking oysters, kayaking, swimming, and driving the boat! We impressed him with our northern girl knowledge of the water! Ending the evening with a delicious crab & oyster feast was a highlight, for him as well! Lol
We ALL highly recommend Hans and his mascot Cody!! Best adventure of our girls trip!! ***** THANKYOU HANS!!!! 💝🥰

Jansait Q.

What a blast! I’ve been to boat tours/cruises in various countries including the Maldives (Shangari-la), the UK, Oman, and others. I enjoyed this one the most! When you see all 5/5 reviews you know there must be consistency in excellence and above and beyond service. It’s Captain Hans.

We enjoyed his company, stories, knowledge and care. Will definitely do it again before the end of 2021 season.

10/10 sail, 10/10 super host.

Anouchka B.

We booked this boat on a family trip, Hans was so personable, kind and knowledgeable . We had an amazing time crab fishing, stopping for a swim and paddle boarding along the way. The boat is beautiful and very clean, Hans made us feel at home and had some incredible stories to share with us. Thank you for a great day out on the water !

Katie

Hans is a wonderful person all around. His humour and wit made our experience memorable and personalized. We booked the 3 hour trip and even though I am nervous on the water he made sure that I felt comfortable and that everyone had fun in their own way. His Water Dog Codey was an added bonus! A must try adventure.

Sarah S.

Beautiful evening with my mother and my dog ❤️ I tried paddle boarding for the first time and my mom and I enjoyed dinner of our choice on the ocean. You can’t put a price on this day and he was very friendly. He knew when we wanted time to ourselves and when we wanted to talk. Highly recommend doing at least once!

Eason D.

Captain Hans was very knowledgeable and friendly! He took us to see seals, went to New Castle Island, and crabbing. Both kids and adults had a blast! Definitely recommend to everyone!

Terry V.

My wife who passed away on 01 May 2024. She has always wanted to be buried at sea. I booked thru Hans approximately a month ago and yesterday was the day we did the service. I know my wife is ecstatic of how the service went. Hans is a fantastic man, skipper of the vessel who made the entire process perfect. He knew exactly what and how to do each part of the service. Most importantly he was adamant about bringing lots of rose petals. Without them it would not have been the same or near as as nice. For anyone considering the burial at sea option Hans and his company are who you need.