In the wild heart of the Great Bear Rainforest, no two days are ever the same—and in 2026, no two adventures need to be either.
This season, we’re offering something new: a way to explore the coast that works with your schedule. Whether you have just a few days or want to immerse yourself fully in bear country, the fjords, and remote cultural sites, there’s now a voyage designed to match your travel style.
Shorter Itineraries, Same Wild Beauty
After hearing from guests and international tour partners alike, we’re debuting new 5-night, 6-day expeditions in fall 2026 aboard both Maple Leaf and Cascadia. These shorter itineraries deliver the highlights—grizzly habitat, fjords, whales, salmon runs, and ancient rainforest—without requiring a full week.
“The Great Bear Rainforest’s wonders are best experienced slowly, but for those with a shorter time frame, we’ve put together a ‘highlights reel’ kind of adventure,” says Maureen Gordon, an owner of Maple Leaf Adventures. “These trips include time in grizzly bear territory, and we think they’ll appeal to younger travellers, and those adding the trip onto a driving holiday in BC.”
On Maple Leaf, sail between Bella Bella and Kitamaat (Oct 3–8 & Oct 9–14), anchoring in rainforest-draped coves and exploring grizzly and spirit bear habitats. Shore trips typically include Klemtu’s big house, natural hot springs, and estuary walks with chances to view grizzlies and perhaps a spirit bear, whales, and eagles.
Meanwhile, Cascadia’s Bella Bella round-trip (Oct 4–9 & Oct 10–15) itineraries offer a slightly different lens—through fjords and also west coast island groups. This expedition trades spirit bear sightings for more time among sea otters, whales, and the coastal giants—grizzly bears. Kayak secluded wildlife estuaries, soak in natural hot springs, and explore island beaches and rainforest trails on a first-of-its-kind route.
Regions We Explore on 6-Day Tours
“This is an incredible part of the Great Bear Rainforest that many others don’t visit,” says Maureen. “With a warm welcome to Heiltsuk territory, stunning landscapes, wildlife and the adventure of offshore islands – weather permitting – it’s an incredible 6-day trip in one of Earth’s great natural wonders.”
Go Long or Go Longer
If a shorter experience isn’t your speed, we’ve still got you covered. Our classic 8-day Great Bear Rainforest expeditions—our signature experience—remain a cornerstone of our fall schedule. These trips are the peak experience: witness salmon runs, explore the whales and wolf territory of the outer coast and fully sink into the rhythms of the coast.
But for the ultimate immersion, we’ve added something new: the Great Bear Rainforest Supervoyage.
Sailing from Prince Rupert to Bella Bella aboard Swell, this 10-day expedition adds even more depth to our longest route, the longest you’ll find in the region. You’ll explore from the far north down through the heart of the rainforest, with time to experience remote islands, natural hot springs, grizzly and spirit bear estuaries, whale research stations, Gitga’at, Kitasoo/Xai’xais, and Heiltsuk territory, and some of the most spectacular coastal scenery anywhere on the planet.
Regions We Explore on 8 or 10-Day Tours
“It’s the most epic Great Bear Rainforest trip we’ve ever offered,” says Maureen. “Kevin felt it could enhance the guest experience for those who really want to go all in.”
Need Help Deciding? Here’s a Breakdown
| Trip Name | Ship | Duration | Route | Highlights | Spirit Bear Region? |
| Great Bear Rainforest 6-Day (Maple Leaf) | Maple Leaf | 5 nights / 6 days | Bella Bella ↔ Kitamaat | Grizzly & spirit bear habitat, fjords, whales, rainforest, Indigenous culture | ✅ Yes |
| Great Bear Rainforest 6-Day (Cascadia) | Cascadia | 5 nights / 6 days | Bella Bella ↔ Bella Bella | Grizzly habitat, fjords, whales, hot springs, outer islands, sea otters | ❌ No |
| Great Bear Rainforest Classic (Maple Leaf and Swell) | Maple Leaf | 7 nights / 8 days | Bella Bella ↔ Kitamaat | Grizzlies, spirit bears, rainforest, waterfalls, First Nations culture, hot springs, researchers | ✅ Yes |
| Great Bear Rainforest Supervoyage (Swell) | Swell | 9 nights / 10 days | Prince Rupert → Bella Bella | Full immersion: spirit bears, grizzlies, whales, rainforest, outer coast, hot springs, researchers | ✅ Yes |
| Great Bear Rainforest Catamaran Tour | Cascadia | 7 nights / 8 days | Kitimat ↔ Kitimat | Grizzlies, spirit bear day with Gitga’at, fjords, whale & marine mammal viewing, kayaking, hot springs, wild isles | ✅ Yes |
| Great Bear Rainforest with Canadian Geographic | Cascadia | 7 nights / 8 days | Kitimat ↔ Kitimat | Same as above + pro photography instruction, cultural tour in Hartley Bay, lectures, photo sharing | ✅ Yes |
Back-to-Back Adventures? Yes, You Can
Photo: Simon Ager
The Great Bear Rainforest spans an area the size of Ireland. If time is on your side, consider exploring multiple regions in turn.
The variety of options this year also creates new possibilities: combine a longer itinerary with one of the new shorter ones for an experience that’s entirely your own. Different ships. Different routes. A broader sense of place. Plus, you’ll enjoy a complementary hotel stay between any two trips booked back-to-back.
It’s the same rainforest—seen from a new perspective.
More Access, Less Footprint
Video: Feline Gerhardt and Alex Kuehn
Experience the raw wonder of the Great Bear Rainforest in fall. A place where the rhythm of life follows the tides, and the air carries the salt of the Pacific and the scent of cedar.
What hasn’t changed is our deep respect for the coast and the people who call it home. We continue to work closely with Indigenous partners, including potential visits to Klemtu’s big house and a welcome from Heiltsuk hosts.
“The Great Bear Rainforest deserves as much time as a guest can give it. But not everyone has the same time or means. This year, we’re meeting people where they are—and offering more ways to fall in love with this incredible place.”
So go ahead—choose your own adventure. Just don’t expect to come back unchanged
See Itineraries Inquire Today
