PLAYED · TSEHUM HARBOUR

From the logbook

Malahat Waterfront Family Escape — 4 Days / 3 Nights

Three nights on a private waterfront property near Malahat, with your own dock for fishing, crabbing and sunset cruising.

Jun 1 – Jun 4, 2025 · Tsehum Harbour

How long: 4 days · 3 nights
Group: Up to 12 guests
Where: Malahat, Vancouver Island
Stay: Waterfront home + cottage

The day

Four families gathered at a private waterfront home with its own dock, swapping hotel check-ins for one relaxed base by the water. Days were spent fishing, checking crab traps and prawn pots right off the dock, then handing the catch to a private chef for dinner. Mornings took the group by boat to The Butchart Gardens, and a day of island sightseeing brought everyone to the Malahat SkyWalk and the historic Kinsol Trestle. Low tide revealed oysters along the shoreline, and the trip wound down with a sunset cruise and quiet family time back at the house.

Highlights

Fishing, crabbing and prawning off the dock
Private dock linked the house to the water
Morning at The Butchart Gardens
Sightseeing at the Malahat SkyWalk
Chef-grilled oysters and fresh catch meals
Sunset cruise to close out the trip

Day by day

Day 1 · Sun, Jun 1, 2025

1:00 PM PTSwartz Bay Ferry Terminal — Guests travel to Vancouver Island by ferry and are met at Swartz Bay by three private vehicles with drivers.
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM PTMalahat area, Vancouver Island — After arriving, guests can unpack, explore the property, get familiar with the private dock, and prepare for the first afternoon on the water.
2:00 PM – 6:00 PM PTFamily Fishing, Crabbing & Prawn Experience — The first afternoon is designed around fun and participation rather than serious sport fishing. Adults and children can learn, help with traps, enjoy the scenery, and spend time together on the water.
7:00 PM PTPrivate waterfront home — After the afternoon on the water, everyone returns to the property for dinner prepared by the private chef.

Day 2 · Mon, Jun 2, 2025

9:30 AM – 10:00 AM PTBoat Ride to Butchart Gardens — After breakfast, the group heads out by boat toward the Butchart Gardens area.
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM PTThe Butchart Gardens — Guests have approximately two hours to walk through the gardens and enjoy the landscaped grounds at their own pace.
2:00 PM – 6:00 PM PTFamily Fishing, Crabbing & Prawn Experience — By the second afternoon, everyone already knows the boat and the rhythm of the experience, allowing the group to settle in and enjoy the water at an easier pace.
7:00 PM PTPrivate waterfront home

Day 3 · Tue, Jun 3, 2025

MorningMalahat Area — The morning begins with a family-friendly visit to Malahat SkyWalk. The second stop of the morning offers a quieter forest experience around the historic Kinsol Trestle and Koksilah River.
AfternoonFree Afternoon at the Waterfront Home — Relax, spend time at the dock, enjoy the waterfront, take photos, or simply stay together at the property.
AfternoonLow-Tide Shoreline & Oyster Experience — Oysters may become visible along the shoreline around the private dock as the tide drops.
Sunset Cruise — The last evening is intentionally simple: get back on the boat, enjoy the coastline, take family photos, and watch the light change across the water.

Day 4 · Wed, Jun 4, 2025

10:00 AM PTPrivate waterfront home — The private chef prepares breakfast before everyone checks out of the property.
12:00 PM PTSwartz Bay — Load luggage, travel back to Swartz Bay, and continue home by ferry.

What we arranged

Waterfront home + cottage
Main house and cottage with private dock, 3 nights
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House cleaning
Main house and cottage cleaning
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Private chef
Meals prepared across all four days
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Ferry transfers
Three vehicles with drivers, Swartz Bay round trip
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Island sightseeing drivers
Three vehicles for the Malahat and Kinsol Trestle day
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Family fishing charters
Two 4-hour outings for fishing, crabbing and prawning
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Sunset cruise
2-hour evening cruise on the water
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