PLAYED · FALSE CREEK · THREE BOATS

From the logbook

A Birthday Afloat — a band on the water, a surprise catch, eight hours in Bedwell Bay

A birthday at anchor in Bedwell Bay — a live band by boat, a surprise catch, and a day nobody had ever had before.

June 2024 · False Creek · 3 boats

Group: 12 guests
Where: Bedwell Bay, Indian Arm
Boats: Yacht · Axopar · Fishing boat

The day

Stella set a dress code, had her makeup done, and stepped onto the yacht to start her birthday in style. The group cruised up to Indian Arm, anchored, and watched a five-piece band arrive by boat to play right alongside them. There was cake, dancing, and a toast, all caught from the deck and from the air. Later a fishing boat pulled up with fresh catch, grilled right there over lunch and Jet Ski rides. Coming back into Coal Harbour with the city lights on, everyone agreed it was a first.

Highlights

Princess F49, Axopar 37
Live band arrived by boat mid-celebration
Cake, toasts, and dancing on deck
Fresh catch and prawns grilled onboard
Dress code and onboard makeup artist
Jet Ski rides and drone footage all day

Day by day

How it went

9:30 AM PTCoal Harbour — The captain arrives about an hour and a half early to prepare the yacht, check the systems, and make sure everything is ready for the birthday celebration.
10:30 AM PTOn the yacht — The balloons are already inflated but stay inside for now. Guests can settle in, change, and do any final makeup touch-ups. For real bookings, we recommend having makeup done ashore whenever possible — doing it onboard can take up valuable cruising time.
11:00 AM PTCoal Harbour — This is the first high point of the day. Everyone comes out on deck rather than staying inside. The yacht leaves slowly, people on the docks wave, and the birthday decorations immediately draw attention. As Coal Harbour opens up behind us, the Vancouver skyline becomes the first photo backdrop of the day.
11:15 AM – 12:30 PM PTBurrard Inlet → Indian Arm — The atmosphere becomes quieter as we leave the city behind. Guests can move inside if the air is cool while the captain shares stories about the shoreline and the route ahead. Bluetooth speakers on the flybridge and at the stern let everyone play their own music along the way.
12:30 PM PTBedwell Bay — Now that the yacht is anchored, the balloons come outside. Stella gets a quick makeup touch-up while the photographer begins shooting. The drone goes up, and everyone gathers at the bow to wave and pose for aerial photos.
1:00 PM PTDeep Cove public dock — The band drives to Deep Cove, where the Axopar 37 picks them up from the public dock. Drinks, snacks, and fruit are already stocked onboard for the ride.
1:30 PM PTAround the yacht — The Axopar captain radios ahead so both boats can get ready. As the band boat approaches, the musicians start playing and everyone on the yacht pours outside. The Axopar circles the Princess three times while the band performs around 8–10 songs, with guests singing along and dancing on deck.
2:15 PM PTFlybridge — During the band’s final birthday song, the cake is brought up to the flybridge and cut with the entire celebration happening at once — the band playing nearby, the drone overhead, and the photographer capturing the moment.
2:30 PM PTDeep Cove — Once the performance is finished, the Axopar takes the musicians and their equipment back to Deep Cove. After dropping them off, the boat returns to Bedwell Bay and ties up alongside the Princess.
AfternoonBedwell Bay — Japanese food, fruit, and drinks come out for lunch. The Jet Ski goes into the water with two captains helping anyone who wants to ride. Then comes the surprise nobody expected: a friend’s fishing boat, already on its way home, turns into the bay and hands over part of the day’s catch — fresh fish and prawns straight onto the BBQ. Nobody was told in advance, and everyone loved it. The seafood tasted completely different from anything bought in a store.
4:45 PM PTIndian Arm — After a full afternoon at anchor, the crew packs away the water toys, secures the yacht, and prepares to leave Bedwell Bay.
5:45 PM PTBurrard Inlet → Coal Harbour — This is the second high point of the day. On a cloudy evening, the city lights begin to glow as we come back into Vancouver. Everyone comes out on deck again for photos while the skyline slowly gets closer.
6:00 PM PTCoal Harbour — The boats return to Coal Harbour and tie up for the evening. Guests collect their belongings, share the last photos and stories from the day, and say their goodbyes.

On the water

Island Time · Princess 49 · ★★★★ Luxury Class · Luxury
Sea Dart · Axopar 37 · ★★★ Comfort Class · Performance
Black Tide · Axopar 37 Brabus Line · ★★★ Comfort Class · Performance

Who made it happen

Hosted by our host
Decorator · Everyone
Rentals (cups and gear) · our rental supplier
Restaurant / caterer · our caterer
Photographer · Photographer James
Videographer · Videographer Tony
Hair & makeup · Hair & makeup Ruru
Musician / DJ · The band — five players

What we arranged

The yacht
Anchored in Bedwell Bay for the celebration
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The band boat (Axopar)
Brought the five-piece band out and back to Deep Cove
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The fishing boat
Delivered fresh catch and prawns for lunch
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Makeup artist
Got everyone camera-ready before departure
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