Scattering Ashes at Sea

While we recommend an 11:00 am departure for comfort we will custom schedule this to your convenience. We are located minutes from the Swartz Bay (Victoria) ferry terminal and will schedule our departure so you can come straight from the ferry to the boat. For small groups of up to 4 we can also pick you up in our vehicle from the ferry terminal, or the airport, or anywhere in the Greater Victoria area.

We are providing transportation and experience. Bagpiper can be arranged at an extra cost.

OPTION 1 – Scatter Ashes with passengers onboard

Typically we sail out of the marina in Sidney for about 20 minutes towards the area between and just beyond Sidney and Moresby Islands towards the Canada / USA border but of course stay in Canadian waters. (Other custom locations can be accommodated at an additional time and fuel cost) The water is deep and currents move nicely in this area. We come to a rest at which point the ashes are released. People typically bring flowers to toss over the ashes, and sometimes something to toast the occasion. Whatever you wish to do. We have had bagpipers, singers, poets. Usually everyone also takes a moment to say their tributes. We recommend taking a screenshot of your map app showing the exact location. If you wish us to take photos, or videos we are happy to do so. The vessel then encircles the area and returns to port. Round trip is approximately 90 minutes

While an urn is not required, in fact most people don’t use one and simply scatter the ashes overboard we do recommend using biodegradable urns when an urn is used. It is also nice to watch the urn drift near the boat amongst the flowers and then eventually disappear beneath the surface. One of our charters even made their own paper “boat” which sank after about 5 minutes.

If you have muliple ashes to scatter that is permitted at no extra cost.

OPTION 2 – Hand off to us to scatter without passengers

Typically family and friends charter our boat to be present at the scattering. Another option is to have us scatter the ashes without your presence. We will scatter your loved one’s ashes and send you pictures and a screenshot of a GPS marker on the map where we scattered them. Depending on if we are picking up the ashes, or you are bringing them to us there may be a reduction in the full cost.

Arrangements can also be made to pick up ashes from the funeral home, or any other 3rd party if you wish.

Scattering the ashes of a loved one into the ocean can be an extraordinarily beautiful way to say goodbye. Many people love the idea of the ocean teaming with life. Many of our requests are related to the ocean, the whales and/or the wildlife having been a special place of significance to the deceased.

For more information & commonly asked questions please click here

Typically, there is no ceremony per sey, however, we can accommodate you if you wish to arrange a member of your religious denomination to conduct a ceremony.

One of the nicest accompaniments (extra cost) is a bagpiper – let us know if this interests you and we’ll put you in touch with a local bagpiper who you can contract directly.

Doing this by boat as opposed to from the shoreline also lessens the chances of you being intruded upon.

This is truly a journey of the heart and however you wish to say goodbye, in silence, spoken out loud or written on our heart shaped post-its for privacy. Your family will set the ashes free by gently lowering them into the ocean. You will then bear witness as the ashes’ transition into clouds that take shapes and colors.

This cloud will stay together in a loose formation and begin a brand new journey. We will ring the ship’s bell eight times (“End of Watch”) and on the last bell everyone tosses flowers overboard. This is the last act of letting go. We return to port while the ashes join the rest of life on their way to another world.

For Scattering Pet Ashes go here