Points of Interest
Ports
Desolation Sound and Fjords of BC
Adventure by Small Ship Through Rugged Landscapes and Vibrant Colors
From backwaters to wildlife hotspots to cultural sites, this journey among the islands and fjords of the storied British Columbia coast includes Desolation Sound and the Broughton Archipelago as well as neighbouring inlets. This is the place off the edge of Vancouver Island that most people never see.
Snowcapped mountains, glacier-fed fjords, calm and scenic cruising are the backdrop to our journey through the nature and wildlife of the west coast – from rainforest to bears and dolphins. On the cultural side, we partner with the Klahoose Nation to experience their bear viewing in a fjord; work with the Namgis U’mista Cultural Centre in Alert Bay, and usually visit local legend Billy Proctor and other out-of-the-way places, too.
Itinerary Details
- Ships: Swell and Cascadia
- Duration: 8 Days
- Ports: Port McNeill, Nanaimo, Port Hardy
Desolation Sound and Fjords of BC
- Swell or Cascadia
- 8 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 vessel and cruising to anchorage in the Broughton Archipelago. Optional evening kayak, sundowner and welcome dinner.
Day 2: Small boat trip to explore the marine life of the archipelago: kelp forest, seabirds and marine mammals such as sea lions and whales. Heading deeper into the islands to visit Billy Proctor’s museum and homestead. Visit Alert Bay and U’mista Cultural Centre with private guided tour of Kwakwaka’wakw potlatch collection. Evening cruising to island anchorage for alfresco dinner, keeping eyes and ears out for wildlife.
Day 3: Morning kayaking. Whale watching and marine science. Rainforest hike. Cruising south in Johnstone Strait.
Day 4: Exploring the cascades and waterways of the Discovery Islands and back channels. Shore trips to explore life in this region—beaches, culture site. Kayaking. Aft deck barbecue and bubbly.
Day 5: Exploring spectacular Toba Inlet, a fjord that cuts 35 kilometres into the Coast Mountains. Shore trips to explore the nature of estuary meadows and the coastal rainforest. Visit with our friends from the Klahoose Nation’s viewing stands where grizzly bears fish salmon at several sites along the river. Island anchorage.
Day 6: Exploring Desolation Sound—by kayaking, small boats, walks, on sites such as Prideaux Haven, the Redonda Islands.
Day 7: Exploring the islets and more mediterranean climate northern Gulf Islands, watching for marine mammals and birds. Island and beach hike. Intertidal exploration.
Day 8: Cruising to port, watching for wildlife.
Departures
Find your ideal trip dates below. All prices are listed in Canadian dollars.
| Date | Price | # of Nights | Start Port | End Port | Ship |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 19 – 26, 2025 | $6,750, $7,400, $8,800 | 7 | Port McNeill | Nanaimo | Swell |
| October 20 – 27, 2025 | $8,070, $9,640, $10,970 | 7 | Port Hardy | Nanaimo | Cascadia |
| October 18 – 26, 2026 | $9,250, $11,050, $12,600 | 8 | Port McNeill | Sidney | Cascadia |
| October 18 – 27, 2026 | $6,970, $7,690, $9,090 | 9 | Port McNeill | Sidney | Swell |
* 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.
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Solo Traveller Special
We’re waving the single supplement!
Don’t miss this great opportunity for solo travellers, in their own cabin with no single supplement, to discover the rich indigenous culture and natural wonder of the BC coast!
Terms and Conditions
Subject to availability and booking limits on select sailings, as designated by Maple Leaf Adventures. Available in category 1 cabins on Cascadia and category 1 or 2 cabins on Swell (limited availability). Not combinable with other offers, except pay-in-full and standard back-to-back trips. For 2025, eligible departures include the Salish Sea Expedition with Canadian Geographic (Apr 18-22, MV Swell); Desolation Sound (Apr 25-29, Apr 30-May 4, MV Swell; May 1-5, MV Cascadia); Haida Gwaii (May 9-16, May 16-23, MV Cascadia); Whales & Wild Isles (Jul 28-Aug 5, Aug 6-14, Aug 16-20, MV Cascadia); Great Bear Rainforest (Aug 29-Sep 5, Oct 9-16, MV Cascadia); Desolation Sound & Fjords of BC (Oct 20-27, MV Cascadia; Oct 19-26, MV Swell); Craft Beer Cruise (Oct 27-31, MV Swell); and Wines & Islands (Oct 29-Nov 2, MV Cascadia). For 2026, eligible departures include the Salish Sea Expedition with Canadian Geographic (Apr 14-18, MV Swell); Desolation Sound (Apr 21-25, Apr 25-30, MV Swell; May 3-7, MV Cascadia); and Haida Gwaii (May 11-18, May 18-25, MV Cascadia).
Experience Desolation Sound
See Desolation Sound through the eyes of our guests
What People Say
See what our guests have to say about our Desolation Sound adventures.
Highlights
Experience Nature Without the Summer Crowds
Wildlife, autumn foliage, mountains, sailing, and island hopping.
Related Stories
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Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to your questions about our Desolation Sound itineraries. Refer to our Frequently Asked Questions for more general trip and booking information.
To reach Port McNeill or Port Hardy, you can fly Pacific Coastal Airlines through Vancouver Airport or Victoria Airport to Port Hardy Airport, a 30 minute drive to Port McNeill. Taxi services are readily available at the airport when you land. Contact information for taxi companies is provided to you before your tour, should you need to call the taxi upon your arrival. At the end of your tour your captain will arrange a taxi pick up at the marina to take you to the airport. We do not recommend driving as the start and end ports are a considerable distance from each other.
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 hotels and activities in your welcome aboard package.
The weather in Desolation Sound during fall can be changeable. As the season transitions, temperatures tend to become cooler, and you can expect a mix of mild and cooler temperatures. Average highs range from 10-15°C (50s to 60s Fahrenheit), with potentially cooler evenings. Fall in Desolation Sound also brings a higher chance of rainfall, so we recommend packing waterproof layers and rain gear. Be sure to check the weather forecast closer to your travel dates for the most accurate information.
While Desolation Sound is renowned for its rich wildlife, including bears, it’s important to understand that sightings cannot be guaranteed. Bears are wild creatures, and their presence and visibility can be affected by various factors such as food availability, weather conditions, and their natural behaviors. Nevertheless, our knowledgeable guiding crew and the thriving ecosystems of Desolation Sound greatly enhance the chances of encountering bears during your trip, offering an exciting possibility for wildlife enthusiasts. For trips in the fall, we work in partnership with the Klahoose Nation to offer a unique bear viewing experience. This excursion coincides with the return of salmon in the area, providing opportunity to see coastal grizzly bears fishing on the plenty.
Desolation Sound is part of the larger ecosystem of the Pacific Northwest, which is known for its rich marine life, including whales. While there is a good possibility of seeing whales during your trip, it’s important to note that wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed. Whales are wild animals that roam and follow their own migration patterns. Our knowledgeable crew and naturalists will do their best to locate and observe whales if they are present in the area.
