Feel the wind in your hair on a Two-Masted Gaff Topsail Schooner, and explore the abundance of the San Juan Islands. We will enjoy great food and drink, take hikes ashore, and visit island villages along the journey. If the conditions are right we will even go crabbing. Don’t miss out on this exciting adventure, exploring the magnificent waters of the San Juan Islands aboard the historic Schooner Zodiac!
Guests are encouraged to join the crew, helping to hoist the 7000 feet of sails. When not assisting with sailing duties, you may be in the chart room, learning about navigation or actually at the helm of this fine vessel. You might grab the binoculars to see a passing orca or actually help with chores and swab the deck. While enjoying the ship’s excellent meals you can share stories from your time at Lewis & Clark or compare notes from the day’s adventures.
Great care has been taken to restore the Schooner Zodiac to the way she looked when first commissioned; varnished mahogany, oak and teak are focal points throughout her main salon and galley.
Enjoy sharing a journey with professors Paulette Bierzychudek & Gary Reiness.
Magnificent orca whales live in the San Juan Islands year round; it is the best place in the world to see them. You can also view humpbacks, minkes and even gray whales.
While the crew of the Schooner Zodiac can make no guarantees about the weather, they always endeavor to give passengers a fun filled and unforgettable experience.
Great food, fun, fellowship and adventure! Journey with curios-minded Lewis & Clark alumni and friends.
Sample Itinerary
(Final Itinerary will be updated in July 2024)
Friday, August 9th
Most participants will travel to Bellingham today, stay overnight in Bellingham.
An optional non-hosted dinner will be organized at a local restaurant.
Saturday, August 10th
9:30 am Board the Schooner Zodiac at Bellingham Cruise Terminal
10 am Set sail and follow the wind!
Possibly drop anchor nestled in behind Decatur Head
Possible hiking on James Island
Sunday, August 11th
Enjoy the thermal winds in Orcas Island’s Eastsound.
2:30-ish, go ashore at Eastsound, Orcas Island. check-out Island Hopping Brewery and be treated to a tasting flight. Fill a growler to enjoy on board.
Free time to explore..
5 pm, Excursion or Presentation
Possible overnight anchorage at Buck Bay.
Monday, August 12th
Depending on the wind, sail through Upright Channel.
Or head back out through Obstruction Pass and down Rosario Strait.
Take the kayaks or sailing dinghy out for a spin.
Tuesday, August 13th
Make our way north in San Juan Channel.
12:30-ish go ashore to explore San Juan Island.
Visit Friday Harbor. Enjoy a tasting at San Juan Island Brewery Co..
Reboard the Schooner Zodiac.Watch the sunset from our anchorage at Parks Bay on Shaw Island
Wednesday, August 14th
Find some wind and go sailing!
Time to go ashore and check out the tide pools.
Possible overnight anchorage at Echo Bay, Sucia Island.
Thursday, August 15th
Sail back to Bellingham.
Accommodations
The Schooner Zodiac originally launched in 1924. While aboard, passengers stay in single berths or private staterooms and socialize in common areas for meals and other gatherings. The Zodiac is heated and well ventilated.
Being a vintage craft, guests share close quarters on the lower deck. On the top deck guests enjoy the fresh air, starry skies and more open spaces. The 24 guests, plus the crew share three restrooms. While there are showers aboard the Zodiac, for water conservation purposes, guests are not encouraged to take daily showers. Please take the virtual tour here before registering.
Standard berths are 48 inch bunks, adjacent to the ship’s salon and feature a heavy curtain. Guests need to store their gear with them in their berth as space on board is limited.
The ship’s staterooms are located both forward and aft and contain multiple bunks, a sink, a mirror and a door for privacy.
One must be able to negotiate stairs and narrow walkways in order to navigate the living areas on the Schooner Zodiac. See the virtual tour here.
Included Services
Five nights and six days aboard the Schooner Zodiac.
While aboard the Schooner Zodiac, all meals and snacks are prepared by the ship’s professional chef using the freshest Northwest ingredients.
Use of kayaks and rowboat.
Shore excursions to state parks and quaint island towns.
Not Included
Roundtrip flights and/or transportation from home city to Bellingham, WA
Hotel accommodations and an optional group dinner on Friday, August 9th, 2024.
Travel Insurance
Some meals, drinks, and snacks while visiting port towns. There is always a free option back on board the Zodiac. A sampling of beer/other beverages will be hosted at various breweries.
Any items of a personal nature
Pricing Information
Standard Upper Berth: $2,050 per person.* (Discounted to $1,850 through 7/15)
Standard Lower Berth: $2,695 per person.* (Discounted to $2,495 through 7/15)
2-Person Plus Stateroom (two bunks plus one very small bunk): $5,495 for all Cabin.* (Discounted to $4,895 through 7/15)
SOLDOUT 2-Person Stateroom: $4,995 for all Cabin.* (Discounted to $4,595 through 7/15)
*includes 10% tip to crew
Travel Insurance is recommended on Lewis & Clark trips, please click here for more information. Sometimes coverage needs to be purchased within a week of booking a trip.
Biologists Paulette Bierzychudek & Gary Reiness are both retired Lewis & Clark professors. They have a lot of experience hiking and biking in the San Juan Island region. We will certainly have much to talk about as we encounter the flora and fauna of the islands.
