Points of Interest
Ports
Whales and Wild Isles of the Great Bear Rainforest
Wild Wonders That We Have Explored and Supported Since 1986
This epic summertime odyssey is about whales and the oceanic world they inhabit. Cruise along the remote north and central coast of the Great Bear Rainforest to faraway islands, by sailing ship or catamaran. Step onto wild, white-sand beaches, where the only footprints you’ll find belong to the elusive coastal wolf. Spend hours with humpback whales and other marine mammals, visit the best place on earth to see orcas (killer whales), and meet the whale researchers who are making new discoveries from their station at the aptly named Whale Channel.
Rainforest, other wildlife, and frequent shore trips round out this amazing tour of British Columbia’s remarkable natural and cultural history. This is our award-winning journey into the nature, wildlife and culture of the Great Bear Rainforest.
Itinerary Details
- Ships: Swell (Converted Tugboat)
- Duration: 10 or 12 Days
- Ports: Sitka, Ketchikan or Petersburg
- Includes a Canadian Geographic Itinerary
Switch between tabs to see itinerary and departures 👇
Whales and Wild Isles Sailing Ship Tour
- Maple Leaf
- 9 Days
Sample Itineraries: As with all expedition cruises, the itinerary may change based on weather, wildlife activity, and interests of the guests. This itinerary is to give you a general idea of the trip.
Day 1: Welcome aboard and cruising into the beautiful islands of the Broughton Archipelago, watching whales. Afternoon shore trip on rugged beach. Welcome dinner.
Day 2: Morning rainforest walk. Visit with whale researchers in one of two interpretive sites, learning about the various cetacean populations here and the groundbreaking research done here. Sea lion viewing. Cruising north. Possible evening kayak or small boat rides among islands.
Day 3: Sailing north to Cape Caution, the important dividing line between the north and south coast. Exploring among islands, islets and waterways, ashore and in small boats.
Day 4: Cruising up Fitzhugh Sound watching whales. Anchorage at Calvert Island with a visit to an off-grid research station. Stunning beach walk and easy hike to view. Evening small boat rides or kayak.
Day 5: Exploring the offshore islands such as the Goose Group of islands. Beachcombing, seabird viewing, potential sea otter viewing.
Day 6: Sailing north into the fjord network, one of the largest in the world. Watch for mountain goats on the steep granite mountains. Shore trip to explore creek/river estuary and rainforest walk, learning about the salmon cycle and the salmon spawn.
Day 7: Exploring deeper into the protected Fjordland region where waterfalls and salmon-bearing creeks empty to the sea. Walk amid the late summer estuaries, learning about the bears’ yearly life here among the wildflowers and sedges. Possible viewing of some early bears.
Day 8: Exploring different parts of the stunning fjord network, viewing whales, exploring rivers and watching for an early bear in some years. Kayaking and shore trips. Last night trip celebration dinner.
Day 9: Morning shore trip, cruising to port, watching for wildlife.
Departures
Find ideal trip dates for our Whales and Wild Isles Sailing Ship Tour below. All prices are listed in Canadian dollars. For other itineraries and departures, switch the tabs above.
| Date | Price | # of Nights | Start Port | End Port | Ship |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 21 – 29, 2025 | $7,700 | 8 | Port McNeill | Bella Bella | Maple Leaf |
* Prices are all-inclusive, and subject to a $200 sustainability fee per person. The trips in Canada are subject to 5% federal tax. See “Included in Our Price” for the exceptional value included. Fares are per person, based on double occupancy, and in Canadian dollars. For solo travellers, there is no single supplement on the SV Maple Leaf trips (shared accommodation), and there is a 50% single supplement on the MV Swell and Cascadia trips. For full-ship private charters, please contact us. Payment and cancellation policy is available online, in the brochures and by speaking with us. We welcome your contact.
Whales and Wild Isles Catamaran Tour
- Cascadia
- 9 Days
Sample Itineraries: As with all expedition cruises, the itinerary may change based on weather, wildlife activity, and interests of the guests. This itinerary is to give you a general idea of the trip.
Note this sample itinerary more closely represents our Prince Rupert to Prince Rupert trip. For more details on our Port Hardy to Prince Rupert trip, reach out to our friendly sales team.
Day 1: Welcome aboard and island cruising in the waters of both humpback whales and orcas. Wildlife viewing. Evening beach walk.
Day 2: Rainforest walk, then wildlife viewing and learning about important whale research in this region.
Day 3: Morning kayak. Marine mammal viewing. Afternoon beachcombing, gentle hike to viewpoint and beach activities. Evening campfire.
Day 4: Baleen whale and other marine mammal viewing. Visiting offshore island group, looking for sea otters. Remote island beach walk/zodiac cruise.
Day 5: Cruising a majestic mainland fjord. Visit natural hot springs. Summer river estuary visit.
Day 6: Cruising deeper into the fjords, exploring waterfalls and ashore as we go, until we reach the great Kitlope river valley and estuary at the foot of 4,000-foot mountains for our night’s anchorage.
Day 7: Exploring other regions in this fjord, more hot springs. Marine mammal viewing. Evening zodiac tour or walk.
Day 8: Visit a First Nations village for cultural tour. Cruising northward among the inlets and waterways. Explore marine park and rainforest walk.
Day 9: Morning shore trip or tender tour or kayaking. Cruising to port, as always, watching for wildlife.
Departures
Find ideal trip dates for our Whales and Wild Isles Catamaran Tour below. All prices are listed in Canadian dollars. For other itineraries and departures, switch the tabs above.
| Date | Price | # of Nights | Start Port | End Port | Ship |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 28 – August 5, 2025 | $10,950, $12,880, $14,680 | 8 | Port Hardy | Prince Rupert | Cascadia |
| August 6 – 14, 2025 | $10,950, $12,880, $14,680 | 8 | Prince Rupert | Kitimat | Cascadia |
| July 30 – August 7, 2026 | $11,070, $13,020, $14,850 | 8 | Port Hardy | Kitimat | Cascadia |
| August 8 – 16, 2026 | $11,070, $13,020, $14,850 | 8 | Kitimat | Kitimat | Cascadia |
* Prices are all-inclusive, and subject to a $200 sustainability fee per person. The trips in Canada are subject to 5% federal tax. See “Included in Our Price” for the exceptional value included. Fares are per person, based on double occupancy, and in Canadian dollars. For solo travellers, there is no single supplement on the SV Maple Leaf trips (shared accommodation), and there is a 50% single supplement on the MV Swell and Cascadia trips. For full-ship private charters, please contact us. Payment and cancellation policy is available online, in the brochures and by speaking with us. We welcome your contact.
Whales and Wild Isles Catamaran Tour
- Cascadia
- 5 Days
Sample Itineraries: As with all expedition cruises, the itinerary may change based on weather, wildlife activity, and interests of the guests. This itinerary is to give you a general idea of the trip.
Day 1: Board your ship, orientation, cruising and watching for whales. Island anchorage, rainforest walk with naturalist.
Day 2: Exploring the inner channels watching for whales. Visit whale researchers at their remote research station. Sea lion haul-out. Afternoon kayak, tender ride or estuary walk.
Day 3: Cruising the outer coast and beautiful island groups. Exploring beautiful beaches, some where the elusive coastal wolves live. Optional hike to view and kayaking. Exploring intertidal life, seabird viewing, beachcombing.
Day 4: Further outer coast exploration, then entering the inner channels and more marine mammal viewing. Natural hot springs visit.
Day 5: Cruise Douglas Channel to Kitimat. Wildlife viewing en route.
Departures
Find ideal trip dates for our Whales and Wild Isles Catamaran Tour below. All prices are listed in Canadian dollars. For other itineraries and departures, switch the tabs above.
| Date | Price | # of Nights | Start Port | End Port | Ship |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 16 – 20, 2025 | $6,110, $7,140, $8,180 | 4 | Kitimat | Kitimat | Cascadia |
| August 18 – 22, 2026 | $6,400, $7,450, $8,515 | 4 | Kitimat | Kitimat | Cascadia |
* Prices are all-inclusive, and subject to a $200 sustainability fee per person. The trips in Canada are subject to 5% federal tax. See “Included in Our Price” for the exceptional value included. Fares are per person, based on double occupancy, and in Canadian dollars. For solo travellers, there is no single supplement on the SV Maple Leaf trips (shared accommodation), and there is a 50% single supplement on the MV Swell and Cascadia trips. For full-ship private charters, please contact us. Payment and cancellation policy is available online, in the brochures and by speaking with us. We welcome your contact.
Experience the Great Bear Rainforest in Summer
See the Great Bear Rainforest through the eyes of our guests.
Highlights
Cruise Whale-Rich Channels and Untouched Shores
Enter the spectacular world of the cetaceans of Canada’s Inside Passage and outer coast.
Related Stories
Follow our coastal expeditions with notes from the field.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to your questions about our Great Bear Rainforest summer tours. Refer to our Frequently Asked Questions for more general trip and booking information.
Port McNeill, Bella Bella, Port Hardy, Prince Rupert and Kitimat can all be reached by air through Vancouver airport (YVR). If you choose to travel by car, there is limited parking by the marinas at Port McNeill, Port Hardy and Kitimat for a daily fee. Specific information for your journey and contact information for local taxi companies (or information on pre-arranged shuttle services, if available on your trip) will be provided in a welcome email prior to your trip.
Our schedule is designed to accommodate incoming flights on the day of departure and most guests will arrive on the day. But, if you would like to arrive a little early to avoid the stress of possible flight delays, you will find recommendations for local accommodations and activities in your welcome aboard package. Please do not book nonrefundable airfare before getting the boarding and disembarking times for your trip.
During summer, you can expect average temperatures ranging from 15°C to 20°C (59°F to 68°F). However, temperatures can occasionally reach higher depending on the specific weather patterns. Rainfall is a characteristic feature of the rainforest, so be prepared for occasional showers or drizzles. It’s a good idea to pack rain gear and clothing suitable for varying weather conditions. The summer season provides a peak opportunity to experience the region’s breathtaking coastal scenery and active marine life.
While the Great Bear Rainforest is home to a significant bear population, Summer is not the optimal time to spot bears in the region. During this time of year, bears are often up in the mountains, foraging for berries and other food sources. If your main goal is to see bears, you may have better success during the spring or fall, when bears return to lower elevations to feed on sedges or salmon. Summer on the other hand offers increased opportunity to see migratory sea mammals such as humpback whales, orcas, and if lucky, coastal wolves. Our experienced guides will do their best to enhance wildlife viewing opportunities and share knowledge of local wildlife.
Spirit bears live in the Great Bear Rainforest year-round but it’s unlikely you will see one in the summer. The best time for the opportunity to view a spirit bear is after the rains have come in autumn. This means you should plan to come in September or October if you are interested in seeing a spirit bear.
Yes, summer is a peak time to visit the Great Bear Rainforest. With pleasant weather, lush greenery, and longer daylight hours, you can enjoy incredible outdoor recreation and explore diverse landscapes. The stunning coastline offers opportunities for kayaking and wildlife watching. You’ll encounter a range of wildlife, from eagles to marine mammals and if lucky, a coastal wolf. Also, our summer itineraries allow for cultural experiences with local Indigenous communities, and opportunities to visit whale research stations.
