Vancouver Island’s Wild Side (Northwest)
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).
Some departures may have slightly modified itineraries. Please confirm the itinerary with an Expedition Specialist.
Highlights
• Island Unmapped
Vancouver Island’s travel appeal has earned it countless awards, and its wild and hidden northwest offers even locals a surprise.
• Unique Wildlife
Scores of eagles, whales, coastal bears, and sea otters are just some of the species that thrive here.
• Cruise Natural Wonders
White sand beaches that unroll between forest and sea become jagged coastline home puffin colonies.
• Explore Indigenous Culture
The traditional territories of Kwakwaka’wakw and Nuu-chah-nulth peoples; our friends from the village of Kyuquot share food and traditions.
Day 1: Welcome aboard, orientation, exploring “hanging rainforest gardens” or abundant intertidal life, Quatsino Sound. Cruising to Klaskish and East Creek. Evening tender ride into river and shore walk, introduction to rainforest. Sunset viewing from anchorage.
Day 2: Morning kayak in scenic, natural anchorage. Cruising around the wild Brooks Peninsula. Wildlife viewing (puffins and other seabirds, sea lions) at Solander Island, an ecological reserve. Shore trip to explore beautiful west coast beach on Brooks Peninsula. Anchorage Nesparti Inlet.
Day 3: Optional morning kayak. Cruising into Checleset Bay, site of an ecological reserve and the site where sea otters were reintroduced to British Columbia. Exploring the kelp forest and sea otter viewing. Kayaking, tender exploring, beach visits.
Day 4: Visit friends from Kyuquot at Spring Island, learning about the Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’ / Che:k’tles7et’h’ nation’s culture and language. Rainforest guided walk, traditional salmon bake on campfire. Shared community dinner aboard Cascadia at anchorage with our Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’ / Che:k’tles7et’h’ hosts.
Day 5: Exploration of the offshore group of islands and Rugged Point with sandy beaches and salal-rich headlands. Cultural site visit. Looking for sea otters, humpback whales and other wildlife.
Day 6: Heading north around Brooks Peninsula with another look at Solander Island. Shore trip to explore beach on northern Brooks Peninsula. Evening anchorage in Vancouver Island inlet, and exploring ashore. Possible black bear viewing, creek and meadow exploration.
Day 7: Cruising north around Cape Scott and Vancouver Island’s northern tip, Cape Sutil, where we’ll land for a shore trip. Exploring a calm crescent Bay, a walk through forest out to the sea stacks and headlands of the Cape. Anchorage at Shushartie Inlet on northeast side of Vancouver Island.
Day 8: Morning wildlife viewing, kayaking, and possible shore trip. Cruising the east coast toward port, watching for whales and other wildlife.
Itineraries are subject to change.
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Port Hardy to Port McNeill Cruise
Cabin
Vessel Type: Catamaran
Passenger Capacity: 24
Length: 138 ft / 42 m
Built/Refurbished: 2007/2018/2019
Cascadia is a 138-foot expedition catamaran built for small-group exploration along the wild British Columbia coast. She carries 24 guests in 12 outside cabins, each with windows, en-suite bathrooms and individual climate control. Four decks provide a mix of quiet corners and open viewing spaces: a protected salon with a bar, indoor and outdoor dining areas, a terrace lounge, and a top deck with loungers and a hot tub. The bridge is open to guests for 180-degree views and insight into navigation. Kayaks, custom landing craft, a hydrophone, and a natural history library support shore landings and wildlife encounters. The design leans on light, space and stability, allowing access to remote inlets while maintaining a comfortable, human-scale experience.
Cabin categories range from 160 to 235 square feet. Lower-deck and some main-deck cabins offer queen or twin beds and large portholes; mid-level cabins add more floor space, outside doors, generous windows and heated slate-floor bathrooms; the two bridge-deck suites are the largest, with king beds, extra seating and extensive natural light. All include storage, power outlets, bathrobes, and climate control. Mobility requirements centre on navigating stairs between decks and boarding shore boats via landing-craft ramps. Limitations apply for travellers with significant mobility impairments, but one main-deck cabin includes an accessible bathroom.
Vessel Type: Schooner
Length: 92f / 28m
Passenger Capacity: 8
Maple Leaf is a 92-foot wooden schooner built in 1904, designed for intimate coastal exploration with a maximum of eight guests. She offers a deeply personal, human-scale experience that prioritises direct engagement with the natural world, accessing remote coastlines, rivers and anchorages unreachable by larger ships. Accommodation is simple but warm: four semi-private sleeping areas, shared washrooms, and communal spaces centred on conversation, observation and shared meals prepared onboard. Stability under sail, long range, and a highly experienced crew make her exceptionally capable despite her modest size.
Constructed from Douglas fir, yellow cedar and mahogany, Maple Leaf blends working-vessel toughness with Edwardian craftsmanship and modern functionality. Life on board revolves around open decks, zodiac landings, kayaking, wildlife observation and, for those inclined, hands-on sailing under crew guidance. Her long history — from luxury yacht to high-performing halibut fishing vessel to pioneering expedition ship — gives the experience a sense of continuity and authenticity. Travel aboard Maple Leaf is immersive, physically engaging, and deliberately unpolished, favouring depth, access and presence over luxury conventions.
Inclusions
• All meals, snacks and beverages prepared from the freshest ingredients by our superb chef.
• Fine wines featured with the evening meal, and a limited amount of beer included and available throughout the trip. (Liquor is not a large part of our trips, so plan on light consumption).
• Services of our naturalist and professional crew.
• Shore excursions.
• Use of gear on board, including rubber boots, kayaks and fishing gear (with fishing licence).
• All accommodations on your vessel and, on trips with a land day, in a local lodging.
Exclusions
• The price does not include transportation to or from the starting and ending points of the Maple Leaf, Swell, and Cascadia trips, except for flights from Vancouver to the start of Cascadia’s Haida Gwaii trips and trips with a current Flight Promotion.
• Canadian trips are subject to a 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST), while Alaska trips are exempt.
• There is also a sustainability fee of $200 added to each fare on booking.
• Tipping for the crew is not included and is confidential and at your discretion.
• Fishing licenses are not included and must be acquired by guests wanting to fish prior to their trip.
Our Associates Include
