Canada Tours
Wildlife Tours on Canada’s West Coast
Explore the rugged coastline of British Columbia, where towering fjords, pristine rainforests, and magnificent wildlife await.
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Canada’s West Coast
Find Adventure on the British Columbia Coast
British Columbia is home to a vast, awe-inspiring coastline, stretching from the bustling city of Vancouver to the remote wilderness of the Great Bear Rainforest and the mystical islands of Haida Gwaii.
This coastal stretch is home to an extraordinary diversity of landscapes, from the lush forests to magnificent fjords and coast mountains. The natural beauty, combined with rich Indigenous heritage and vibrant natural ecosystems, makes this region one of the most unique and enriching travel destinations in the world.
It is a popular route for cruises, due to its absence of open ocean swells and its relatively flat and calm waters.
On a Maple Leaf Adventures tour, you’ll explore this coastal wonder aboard a 138-foot catamaran, an 88-foot converted tugboat, or a 92-foot classic schooner, with small groups of 8 to 24 guests.
Where to Go on a British Columbia Tour
This stunning coastline has several distinct areas. Each is worth its own tour, and are easy to access from Vancouver.
Experience Our Canada Tours
See what an expedition on Canada’s west coast is like through the eyes of our guests.
Tour Activities
Our small-ship tours offer a range of activities that bring you closer to the beauty and wildlife of British Columbia’s coastal regions.
- Marine mammal viewing (humpbacks, orcas, sea lions)
- Guided bear viewing in coastal rainforest
- Rainforest hikes and nature walks
- Island-hopping and coastal exploration
- Cultural experiences with Indigenous communities
- Hot spring relaxation
- Kayaking through sheltered bays
- Bird watching
- Fresh, local dining opportunities
- Sailing and heritage ship tours
- Historical site visits
- Wildlife photography
What People Say
See what our guests have to say about our Canada Tours.
Highlights of our Canada Tours
Discover BC’s Rich and Diverse Coastline
British Columbia’s coastline stretches over 25,000 km and is a wonder of natural beauty and diverse ecosystems.
Teeming with Marine Life
From orcas and humpback whales to dolphins and sea lions, BC’s waters are teeming with life.
Bears and Wolves Roam the Shores
Grizzly bears, black bears, and wolves roam the shores, while the elusive spirit bear adds a rare and mystical element to the coastal landscape.
Ancient History and Culture
British Columbia’s coast is rich with Indigenous history. Communities like the Haida have navigated these waters for millennia, and today, you can explore ancient village sites and experience their living culture.
Ancient Forests and Dramatic Landscapes
Witness breathtaking landscapes—from rugged mountain peaks and deep fjords to mist-covered islands and temperate rainforests, offering a visual feast of nature’s raw beauty.
British Columbia’s Coastal Legacy
Canada’s West Coast has a history steeped in Indigenous culture, exploration, and the balance between preservation and development. Coastal First Nations have called this region home for thousands of years, living in harmony with the land and sea. Their deep-rooted connection to the natural world is woven into the fabric of the coast, and modern-day tours offer the opportunity to learn from these cultures and hear their stories.
In more recent history, explorers and settlers arrived, seeking wealth in the form of fur, timber, and gold. The forests of Vancouver Island and the rivers of British Columbia played pivotal roles in Canada’s economic growth. These regions were also critical in developing maritime trade routes.
European explorers like Captain George Vancouver mapped the coast in the 18th century, and today, BC’s waters are vital routes for tourism, shipping, and recreation.
British Columbia Today
Recently, as people started to demand high-quality, experiential trips, the diversity of cruise ships has increased. Now, in addition to the large 2,000-passenger ships traditionally associated with cruise tours, you can enjoy active, small-ship cruises like those that we offer at Maple Leaf Adventures.
And while much of the area is in its natural state, citizens are working hard to protect it by law from destruction—protecting the rainforests, the marine life, the bears and whales and remote beaches.
Cruising by Expedition Ship
What’s your style of tour?
Expedition Cruises by Small Ship
For adventurous travellers seeking a deeper connection with nature and culture, expedition cruises offer a more personalized alternative to traditional cruises. These smaller, agile vessels are designed to access remote areas like the fjords of the Great Bear Rainforest, Desolation Sound, and Haida Gwaii.
With a focus on wildlife, conservation, and cultural immersion, expedition cruises provide guided hikes, zodiac tours, and talks by onboard naturalists and cultural experts. Guests explore hidden coves by kayak, visit small communities, and experience the incredible biodiversity of BC’s coast up close.
British Columbia by Ferry
Ferries connect Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, and the mainland, offering scenic travel between coastal landscapes. However, they are better for short trips and lack the in-depth exploration of an expedition cruise.
Big Ship Cruises
Traditional large-ship cruises operate along BC’s coast, but they primarily stop at major ports, offering limited opportunities to explore the wilderness and remote areas that define the region.
Our Canada Wildlife Tours
Expedition cruises by small ships that explore the scenic routes of coastal British Columbia, in a way that’s personalized and fun.
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Desolation Sound
View ItineraryExplore the stunning waterways, fjords and islands of Desolation Sound, one of the world’s most popular cruising destinations.
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Desolation Sound and Fjords of BC
View ItineraryThis journey among the islands and fjords of the storied British Columbia coast includes Desolation Sound and the Broughton Archipelago, as well as neighbouring inlets.
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Great Bear Rainforest
View ItineraryFollow magnificent runs of wild salmon to the home of black, grizzly, and the elusive white-furred spirit bear.
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Great Bear Rainforest and Kitlope
View ItineraryBird migrations, newly awakened grizzly and black bears grazing on green sedges—experience it all on a small ship adventure.
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Great Bear Rainforest in Spring
View ItineraryBird migrations, newly awakened grizzly and black bears grazing on green sedges—experience it all on a small ship adventure.
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Gulf Islands in Fall
View ItineraryIsland hop in the National Park Reserve, visit wildlife colonies, walk rainforest and rocky bluffs, and tiny islands not visited by ferries.
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Gulf Islands in Spring
View ItineraryHere, snow-capped mountains ring an inland sea, full of intricate waterways among hundreds of warm islands.
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Haida Gwaii
View ItineraryDiscover the rich indigenous culture and natural wonder of Haida Gwaii. 8 to 9 days from the northern town of Masset to the southern reaches of Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve
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Vancouver Island’s Inside Passage
View ItinerarySpend a week cruising up Vancouver Island’s diverse coast with a world-class crew.
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Vancouver Island’s Wild Side
View ItineraryCruise Vancouver Island’s rugged Northwest, where time is measured by the rise and fall of the tide.
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Whales and Totems
View ItineraryExplore intricate passageways between idyllic islands in the Broughton Archipelago, one of the best places on earth to see whales.
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Whales and Wild Isles of the Great Bear Rainforest
View ItineraryEmbark on a summer expedition across one of the richest coastal ecosystems in the world.
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Wines and Islands
View ItineraryExperience Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands’ emerging wine regions.
