Small vessels, including the new Ocean Wayfinder, allow company to access places larger ships can't visit
The founder of a company offering small-vessel sailings in B.C. waters is drawing on his own lengthy resume to provide clients with insights on the province’s lengthy coastline.
Russell Markel, founder and owner of Outer Shores Expeditions, says he was already familiar with coastal B.C. when he launched his company over a decade ago, thanks to his prior work experience.
“We’re now sailing our 14th season exploring the wild and remote coastlines of British Columbia,” Markel reports. “We’ve remained small and focused from the beginning, building a reputation for meaningful, conservation-minded travel experiences along Canada’s Pacific Coast. I’ve been exploring this region for more than 30 years, thanks to my background as a marine ecologist and scientist studying the wildlife and ecosystems of this coast. That foundation continues to shape everything we do, from the places we go to the way we go about getting there.”
Outer Shores Expeditions says it specializes in remote and ecologically significant coastal regions. Its expeditions take guests to:
- The Great Bear Rainforest, one of the largest remaining temperate rainforests on Earth, is part of a vast protected region that includes a national park reserve and marine conservation area.
- The Haida Gwaii Archipelago, frequently called the Galapagos of the north, is also a national park reserve, and home to rich biodiversity and deep Indigenous cultural heritage.
- Northern Vancouver Island and Johnstone Strait, an epic hotspot for killer whales, humpback whales, dolphins, sea otters, and other marine mammals.
- The Gulf Islands National Park Reserve and Salish Sea, which is rich in history, marine life, and has vibrant coastal communities
- “These are places that can’t be experienced from afar. They need to be engaged slowly, carefully, and respectfully,” Markel reports.
- The 2026 season will see Outer Shores Expeditions add a second expedition vessel. Its flagship Passing Cloud is a classic 70-foot wooden schooner designed by William James Roué, who also designed the legendary Bluenose. The Passing Cloud has been with Outer Shores Adventures since its inception. The upcoming Ocean Wayfinder is also 70 feet in length but will have a more spacious layout, with six private guest cabins, multiple shared heads, and expanded indoor and outdoor gathering spaces. It’s a ketch-rigged fibreglass vessel, purpose-built for bluewater sailing and extensively refit for comfort and safety. It will be crewed by five — captain, mate/expedition guide, expedition specialist/naturalist, chef, and deckhand — and accommodates 6 to 12 guests, keeping the experience “intimate, immersive, and flexible.”
Coastal B.C. sees many large cruise ships plying its waters, providing an experience that Markel says differs dramatically from what his company’s clients will have.
“What we offer is something fundamentally different from large-scale cruising,” he continues. “Our voyages are designed for people who want to truly connect with this coast: its wildlife, its communities, its ecosystems. There are no ports-of-call crowds or pre-packaged shore excursions here. Our purpose-built expedition skiff lets us get up close to remote shorelines, while our itineraries are designed around daily excursions that bring guests into estuaries, up fiords, and into otherwise unreachable corners of the coast.
“And just as importantly, our low-impact approach reflects a deep commitment to conservation. We operate in partnership with local communities and scientists, and we limit group size so we can travel thoughtfully and responsibly. This intimacy, typically just 6 to 12 guests, offers a level of access and connection that simply isn’t possible any other way. Many of the places we explore are only accessible with special access permits and longstanding relationships, making these experiences truly rare.
“And I should add that our expeditions are also culinary journeys, with locally sourced meals crafted onboard by a dedicated chef and tailored to dietary needs and preferences.”
Getting up close and personal with nature is a large part of Outer Shores Expeditions’ appeal but Markel says that not all clients are hardcore nature enthusiasts.
“What unites our guests is curiosity,” he continues. “Some come with a background in science or conservation, others are photographers, artists, or simply travellers who want something more immersive and real. Our expeditions are conservation-focused and conservation-inspired, shaped by a spirit of inquiry and stewardship. We incorporate elements of citizen science and ecological monitoring, and there’s a sense that by being here, we’re not just observing these places, we’re also contributing to their continued protection. By the end of the expedition, most guests leave with a new appreciation for the complexity and wonder of these ecosystems, and a deeper connection to the wild coast they’ve been part of, even if only briefly.”
Small vessels like Passing Cloud and Ocean Wayfinder allow Outer Shores Expeditions to access areas that larger ships can’t, with Markel noting it can navigate narrow fiords, shallow inlets, and reach uninhabited islands, and coastal anchorages.
“More importantly, they foster a sense of community on board and offer an unmatched level of flexibility,” he adds. “Whether it’s a rare sighting or a perfect anchorage, we’re able to respond in the moment and shape the day around what’s happening on the water and along the shore. Every expedition is guided by weather, wildlife, and the moment, not a rigid itinerary.”
Meanwhile, Markel says Outer Shores Expeditions’ 2025 season has been strong, with just a few berths still available for this fall, and the entire spring/summer schedule already sold out.
“Every year we see a growing number of returning guests, and with Ocean Wayfinder coming into the fold, we expect 2026 to be a banner year, and to sell out quickly as well,” he continues. “More and more Canadians are looking to explore their own country in ways that feel intentional, responsible, and connected. We’re proud to offer them that opportunity, and we’re excited to be growing in a way that stays true to the values we’ve held since Day One.”