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.
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: Maple Leaf and Cascadia
- Duration: 5, 6, or 9 days
- Ports: Port McNeill, Bella Bella, Port Hardy, or Kitimat
Switch between tabs to see itinerary and departures 👇
Whales and Wild Isles Catamaran Tour
- Cascadia
- 8 Nights, 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 your ship, orientation, cruising and watching for whales: Possible humpbacks, orcas, porpoises. Island anchorage, beach exploration.
Day 2–4:
Morning kayak and/or small boat exploration of marine and intertidal life. Cruising north from Broughton Archipelago to the wilder outer coast, around Cape Caution, viewing humpback whales and seabirds. Shore trip at Penrose Islands, Calvert Island, beach and forest walk, research station. Exploring small outer islands, with a variety of marine mammals. Optional evening kayak. Sailing northeast into mainland fjords or along outer coast weather permitting. Shore trips to explore.
Day 5–6:
Whale Channel, aptly named and popular with cetaceans. Visit whale researchers at remote station and look for cetaceans (whales, sea lions), outer coast visit with beach walks and forest hikes. Possible wolf sighting.
Day 7–8:
Mainland fjord and inside passage cruising and exploring ashore. Hot springs visit.
Day 9:
Cruise to port. 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 9 – 17, 2026 | $11,070, $13,020, $14,850 | 8 | Port Hardy | Kitimat | Cascadia |
| August 9 – 17, 2027 | $11,600, $13,610, $15,500 | 8 | Port Hardy | 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 (5-Day)
- Cascadia
- 5 Nights, 6 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 Kitimat to Kitimat trip. For more details on our Port Hardy to Port Hardy trip, reach out to our friendly sales team.
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 haulout. 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 kayak around sea lion haul-out, 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 18 – 22, 2026 | $6,400, $7,450, $8,515 | 4 | Kitimat | Kitimat | Cascadia |
| August 2 – 7, 2027 | $8,440, $9,790, $11,170 | 5 | Port Hardy | Port Hardy | 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 (6-Day)
- Cascadia
- 5 Nights, 6 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 Port Hardy to Port Hardy trip.
Day 1
Welcome aboard and orientation. Cruising north through scenic Walker Group of Islands to Southgate Group of Islands, watching for whales, seabirds and other marine mammals. Evening shore tender explore and shore walk into rainforest. Welcome dinner.
Day 2
Morning kayaking (or tender ride) through spectacular Murray Labyrinth of islands. Tender trip to Nakwakto Rapids, the fastest tidal rapids on the planet. Rejoin Cascadia in Slingsby Channel for cruise around Cape Caution, the dividing line between the north and south coast of BC. Anchorage in scenic Penrose Islands.
Day 3
Morning exploring the strange world of intertidal life among the islands. Cruising Fitzhugh Sound, a popular body of water with cetaceans especially humpback whales. Anchorage Adams Harbour north of Hakai Pass. Shore trip on remote, golden-sand beach with optional hike to view over Hakai Pass to open Pacific Ocean.
Day 4
Visit Hakai research station (off-grid site of important discoveries in marine and archaeological fields), walk to scenic west coast beach, optional hike to view. Choice of cruise to beautiful offshore island group with beaches, ancient rainforest and sea otters, or granite fjord and river system, with meadows, rainforest, harbour seals.
Day 5
Morning kayaking and cruise south watching for whales. Anchorage based on weather, tender ride to Cape Sutil and hike at Cape Sutil to very northern tip of Vancouver Island. Rugged and scenic beach with sea stacks. Last night celebratory dinner.
Day 6
Optional early morning kayaking, cruising to port, watching for whales.
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 18 – 22, 2026 | $6,400, $7,450, $8,515 | 4 | Kitimat | Kitimat | Cascadia |
| August 2 – 7, 2027 | $8,440, $9,790, $11,170 | 5 | Port Hardy | Port Hardy | 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.
Southern Great Bear Rainforest
- Maple Leaf
- 5 Nights, 6 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 nature-rich Broughton Archipelago. Viewing humpback whales and abundant seabirds. Late afternoon shore trip as an introduction to the beaches and marine environment of the southern Great Bear Rainforest.
Day 2:
Morning walk with naturalist in the rainforest to ancient trees; introduction to how the rainforest works. Cruising among islands, watching for marine mammals and seabirds. Visit to Salmon Coast research station, an off-grid science community studying the region. Cruise to beautiful anchorage. Explore islands by small boat and/or kayak, watching for
Day 3:
Cruising deep into the mountains, viewing the steep granite fjord walls above us, watching for black bears and marine mammals. Exploring spectacular rainforest watershed, entering the river estuary. Walk through estuary and river system, learning about the habitat and life cycle of grizzly bears. Optional evening kayaking.
Day 4:
Morning shore trip into a different part of the estuary watching for birds and possible bears. Sailing the traditionally rigged Maple Leaf out of a fjord. Beach visit and forest hike to view over Johnstone Strait. Island anchorage and al fresco dinner on the beach, with optional kayaking.
Day 5:
Morning beach walk. Cruising through islands, watching sea otters and other marine mammals. Visit local researchers and be welcomed to Heiltsuk territory for interpretive tour of beautiful big house by Heiltsuk guide to understand the long human history and culture of this part of the southern Great Bear Rainforest. Visit marine passageway with rich nutrient flow, looking for humpback whales using a special feeding technique, possible orcas and other wildlife. Last night dinner at anchor.
Day 6:
Cruising to port, watching for wildlife.
Departures
Find ideal trip dates for our Great Bear Rainforest South 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 9 – 14, 2027 | $5,995 | 5 | Port McNeill | Port McNeill | Maple Leaf |
| August 15 – 20, 2027 | $5,995 | 5 | Port McNeill | Port McNeill | 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.
Great Bear Rainforest Northbound
- Maple Leaf
- 8 Nights, 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. Cruising area looking for black bears on beaches. Visit with researchers, learning about the cetacean populations and 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. Anchorage Penrose Islands. 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. Watching for possible early grizzly bears to view.
Day 8:
Exploring different parts of the stunning fjord network, viewing whales, exploring rivers and watching for early grizzly bears to view. Kayaking and shore trips. Last night trip celebration dinner.
Day 9:
Morning shore trip, cruising to port.
Departures
Find ideal trip dates for our Great Bear Rainforest South 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, 2027 | $9,250 | 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.
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.
