Whales and Wild Isles of the Great Bear Rainforest

Coastal Safaris in Whale-Rich Channels

Embark on a summer expedition across one of the richest coastal ecosystems in the world.

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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: Maple Leaf, Cascadia
  • Duration: 5, 8 or 9 Days
  • Ports: Kitimat, Port McNeill, Bella Bella, Port Hardy, Prince Rupert

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: Board Maple Leaf at Kitimat, BC. Orientation, cruising Douglas Channel and Whale Channel. Island anchorage. Beach exploration.

Day 2: Visit whale researchers at their remote research station. Marine mammal viewing. Sail the outer coast. Going ashore on wild islands, exploring intertidal life, marine mammals, sailing the schooner Maple Leaf.

Day 3: Humpback whale viewing. Visit to a remote and natural hot spring.

Day 4: Inner islands rainforest and wildflower exploration, porpoises. Visit village of Klemtu.

Day 5: Sailing to remote island group, sea otter viewing, seabird viewing, beachcombing, optional evening kayak.

Day 6: Cruising the outer islands, scenic coastal hike with a view, humpback whale viewing, exploring islets by kayak or zodiac.

Day 7: Rounding Cape Caution, whale watching, entering Queen Charlotte Strait.

Day 8: Killer whale viewing, sea lion viewing, possible dolphins, rainforest hike

Day 9: Short morning shore trip, then watching for wildlife as we cruise to Port McNeill.

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.

What People Say

See what our guests have to say about our Great Bear Rainforest tours.

  • “We saw an amazing number of humpback whales in addition to orcas, dolphins, eagles and bears. Daily excursions enabled us to observe calving glaciers up close, hike through rainforests, soak in hot springs and spend time mesmerized by grizzly bears catching salmon”

    JMR, Tripadvisor

Highlights

Cruise Whale-Rich Channels and Untouched Shores

Enter the spectacular world of the cetaceans of Canada’s Inside Passage and outer coast.

Rich Coastal Ecosystems

Featuring marine mammals at their most active such as humpback whales, orcas and sea lions.

Uncrowded Vistas

Walk among fjords and archipelagos that showcase the wild coast in ways most people never experience.

Indigenous Culture

Coastal First Nations have thrived on the coast for millennia, we visit communities and hear their stories.

Regenerative Travel

Learn about local conservation efforts and connect with scientists along the way, often as a part of our guiding crew.

Inquire Today

Contact us for more information or to Book Your Expedition Adventure!

Get In Touch

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.

Dates & Rates

Discover the stunning beauty of the BC and Alaska coast on a boutique nature and wildlife expedition. Browse our dates and rates and find the perfect trip for you.

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