Points of Interest
Ports
Vancouver Island’s Wild Side
Embark on a tour of Vancouver Island’s rugged and beautiful north coast
This trip is for those who love to adventure beyond the norm. It explores a mostly un-roaded area. You’ll walk in the rainforest, beach-comb on the sand, boat into wild creeks that empty into the sea, and cruise around Brooks Peninsula, which juts out almost to the offshore continental shelf.
Highlights include Brooks Peninsula (a glacial refugium), Solander Island (home to puffins), Kyuquot Sound (including sea otters and the village of Kyuquot), lush inlets and sandy beaches, as well as a cruise around the northernmost tip (Cape Sutil) and on the protected eastern coast.
Seven miles off Brooks, the coastal world changes to the oceanic one, and on a fair day we might cruise to the shelf, where the ocean turns from green to blue, and wildlife goes to feed in the upwelling (whales, seabirds, and dolphins).
Itinerary Details
- Ships: Swell (Converted Tugboat)
- Duration: 10 or 12 Days
- Ports: Sitka, Ketchikan or Petersburg
- Includes a Canadian Geographic Itinerary
Vancouver Island’s Wild Side Supervoyage
- Cascadia
- 12 or 13 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: Arrive in Port Hardy from Vancouver and settle into your accommodation at the Kwa’lilas Hotel. Meet your fellow travelers during a welcome dinner.
Day 2: Take a ferry to Alert Bay, visit the U’mista Cultural Centre, and enjoy an interpretive walk in a local ecological reserve. Evening embarkation aboard Cascadia for the start of your journey.
Day 3: After a scenic breakfast aboard Cascadia, venture into Holberg Inlet and Quatsino Narrows. Explore rugged shorelines and settle in Klaskish Inlet for your first dinner aboard.
Day 4: Explore East Creek for bear sightings, cruise around Solander Island to view sea lions and seabirds, and visit Nasparti Inlet for a walk on a beautiful beach. Evening kayak option available.
Day 5: Explore a temperate rainforest, visit the Bunsby Islands, and experience a traditional salmon bake on Spring Island with local stories shared by Indigenous hosts.
Day 6: Watch for sea otters, whales, and enjoy panoramic views from the hot tub aboard. Explore beaches at the northern tip of the island before anchoring in Shushartie Bay.
Day 7: Visit the legendary Billy Proctor and his unique museum, learn about his lifetime of beachcombing, and enjoy an evening kayak in the Broughton Archipelago.
Day 8: Wildlife viewing in Blackney Passage, explore the charming community of Telegraph Cove, and cruise Johnstone Strait to Port Neville for an evening anchorage.
Day 9: Witness the Devils Hole whirlpool at Dent Rapids, explore pictographs in Walsh Cove, and enjoy a three-course dinner under the stars.
Day 10: Visit Brem River for bear viewing, explore the Prideaux Haven, and finish the day in Tenedos Bay for a peaceful evening kayak.
Day 11: Walk along the shores of Mitlenatch Island to see wildlife, then cruise to Copeland Islands for a final evening cruise or kayak and a four-course dinner.
Day 12: After a final breakfast, disembark at Campbell River, enjoy a winery tour of the Cowichan Valley, and end your adventure in Victoria, the historic capital of British Columbia.
Day 13: Historical Tour of Victoria (included on 13-day tour only).
Departures
Find your ideal trip dates below. All prices are listed in Canadian dollars.
| Date | Price | # of Nights | Start Port | End Port | Ship |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 15 – 26, 2025 | $11,490, $13,690, $15,690 | 11 | Vancouver | Campbell River | Cascadia |
| July 15 – 27, 2025 | $11,750, $13,950, $15,950 | 12 | Vancouver | Victoria | 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.
Vancouver Island’s Wild Side (Northwest)
- Cascadia
- 7 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, orientation, exploring “hanging rainforest gardens” or abundant intertidal life onshore. Optional evening kayak, Quatsino Sound. Cruising to Klaskish and East Creek. Bear viewing, shore walk in East Creek meadow and along river.
Day 2: Cruising around the wild Brooks Peninsula. Weather permitting, cruising the continental shelf region, where seabirds (albatross, puffins) and marine mammals forage. Wildlife viewing. Solander Island (from the water), an ecological reserve for puffins. Anchorage and remote beach exploration.
Day 3: Rainforest and beach walks. Optional morning kayak. Anchorage in Nesparti Inlet. Exploring beautiful Nesparti Inlet by boat and on land.
Day 4: Kyuquot Sound exploration, sea otter viewing, traditional indigenous salmon bake around campfire with gourmet dinner.
Day 5: Exploration of the offshore group of islands and Rugged Point with sandy beaches and salal-rich headlands. Cultural site visit. Heading north around Brooks Peninsula. Evening anchorage in Vancouver Island inlet, and exploring ashore. Possible black bear viewing, creek and meadow exploration.
Day 6: Cruising and exploring the Cape Scott area, rounding Vancouver Island’s northern tip. Bear viewing.
Day 7: Whale watching on Vancouver Island’s northeast side, and cruising to Port Hardy.
Departures
Find your ideal trip dates below. All prices are listed in Canadian dollars.
| Date | Price | # of Nights | Start Port | End Port | Ship |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 10 – 16, 2025 | $8,520, $10,030, $11,420 | 6 | Port Hardy | Port Hardy | Cascadia |
| July 14 – 20, 2026 | $8,695, $10,150, $11,750 | 6 | 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.
Vancouver Island’s Wild Side (Northwest) with Canadian Geographic
- Cascadia
- 7 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.
Your 2026 Canadian Geographic Ambassador: TBC
Day 1: Welcome aboard, orientation, exploring “hanging rainforest gardens” or abundant intertidal life onshore. Optional evening kayak, Quatsino Sound. Cruising to Klaskish and East Creek. Bear viewing, shore walk in East Creek meadow and along river. Evening lecture.
Day 2: Cruising around the wild Brooks Peninsula. Weather permitting, cruising the continental shelf region, where seabirds (albatross, puffins) and marine mammals forage. Wildlife viewing. Solander Island (from the water), an ecological reserve for puffins. Anchorage and remote beach exploration.
Day 3: Rainforest and beach walks. Optional morning kayak. Anchorage in Nesparti Inlet. Exploring beautiful Nesparti Inlet by boat and on land. Geography lecture.
Day 4: Kyuquot Sound exploration, sea otter viewing, visit village of Kyuquot. Special guest visit.
Day 5: Exploration of offshore group of islands and Rugged Point with sandy beaches and salal-rich headlands. Cultural site visit. Heading north around Brooks Peninsula. Evening anchorage in Vancouver Island inlet, and exploring ashore. Possible black bear viewing, creek and meadow exploration.
Day 6: Cruising and exploring the Cape Scott area, rounding Vancouver Island’s northern tip. Bear viewing.
Day 7: Whale watching on Vancouver Island’s northeast side, and cruising to Port Hardy.
Departures
Find your ideal trip dates below. All prices are listed in Canadian dollars.
| Date | Price | # of Nights | Start Port | End Port | Ship |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 21 – 28, 2026 | $9,995, $10,950, $12,650 | 7 | 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.
Experience Vancouver Island
See the Vancouver Island’s wild side through the eyes of our guests
What People Say
See what our guests have to say about our Vancouver Island tours
Highlights
Vancouver Island, Like You’ve Never Seen It
Embark on a multi-day exploration to a side of Vancouver Island that most never see.
Related Stories
Follow our coastal expeditions with notes from the field.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to your questions about our Vancouver Island tours. Refer to our Frequently Asked Questions for more general trip and booking information.
To reach Port Hardy, you can fly Pacific Coastal Airlines through Vancouver Airport (YVR). Please note guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements. Taxis are readily available upon arrival and departure. For more detailed information and personalized recommendations, please refer to the welcome aboard email you will receive from us. We are happy to assist with any travel guidance you may need. If you choose to drive, long-term parking is available at Port Hardy Airport or a hotel if you stay the night before the 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 hotels and activities in your welcome aboard package. Please do not book nonrefundable airfare before getting the boarding and disembarking times for your trip.
In summer, the weather in Vancouver Island’s northwest region is generally pleasant and mild. It’s characterized by warm temperatures and relatively dry conditions. During this time of year, you can expect average temperatures ranging from 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F), although temperatures can vary. It’s a great time to enjoy outdoor activities and explore the region’s natural beauty. Rainfall can still occur, so it’s advisable to pack some rain gear and be prepared for occasional showers. Keep in mind that weather conditions can vary, and it’s always a good idea to check the local forecast closer to your travel dates for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
The best time to visit Vancouver Island’s northwest region is during the summer months. This period offers the most favourable weather and sea conditions, as well as optimal opportunities for outdoor activities and exploration. The summer months also offer a chance to witness the region’s abundant marine life. Our trips are timed around peak wildlife events in the region.
