Sample Itinerary
- day:
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1: Board vessel and cruising to anchorage in the Broughton Archipelago. Hike to spectacular view.
- day:
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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:
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3: Morning kayaking. Whale watching and marine science. Rainforest hike. Cruising south in Johnstone Strait.
- day:
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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:
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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:
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6: Exploring Desolation Sound — by kayaking, small boats, walks, on sites such as Prideaux Haven, the Redonda Islands.
- day:
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7. Exploring the islets and more mediterranean climate northern Gulf Islands, watching for marine mammals and birds. Island and beach hike. Intertidal exploration.
- day:
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8: Cruising to port, watching for wildlife.
You can find information about each day, by clicking on a number
Note that 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. Trips on Swell start in Port McNeill, trips on Cascadia start in Port Hardy.
Departures (prices listed in Canadian dollars)
Date | Price CAD* | # of Nights | Start Port | End Port | Ship |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2024 | |||||
Date: Oct 19 - 26 | Price CAD: $6340, $6990, $7850 | # of Nights: 7 nights, 8 days | Start Port: Port McNeill | End Port: Nanaimo | Ship: Swell |
Date: Oct 20 - 27 | Price CAD: $7,870, $9,400, $10,700 | # of Nights: 7 nights, 8 days | Start Port: Port Hardy | End Port: Nanaimo | Ship: Cascadia |
2025 | |||||
Date: Oct 20 - 27 | Price CAD: $8070, $9640, $10970 | # of Nights: 7 nights, 8 days | Start Port: Port Hardy | End Port: Nanaimo | Ship: Cascadia |
Date: Oct 19 - 26 | Price CAD: $6750, $7400, $8800 | # of Nights: 7 nights, 8 days | Start Port: Port McNeill | End Port: Nanaimo | Ship: Swell |
Description
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.
What People Say
F. Shirley Ontario, CanFrom our first inquiries to the final docking, our trip has been first class all the way.
Chuck Cole Washington, USAAn unbelievable experience with the most dedicated and involved crew I’ve ever experienced. Every day was ‘magical’. The bar for my next adventure
Jane Robinson Vancouver, BCWhat a magical and awe-inspiring adventure!