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.
Some departures may have slightly modified itineraries. Please confirm the itinerary with an Expedition Specialist.
Shorter voyages are available. Please contact us for more information.
Highlights
• Rich Coastal Ecosystems
Featuring marine mammals at their most active such as humpback whales, orcas and sea lions.
• Uncrowded Vistas
Walk among fjords and archipelagos that showcase the wild coast in ways most people never experience.
• Indigenous Culture
Coastal First Nations have thrived on the coast for millennia, we visit communities and hear their stories.
• Regenerative Travel
Learn about local conservation efforts and connect with scientists along the way, often as a part of our guiding crew.
Day 1: Welcome aboard and island cruising in the waters of both humpback whales and orcas. Wildlife viewing. Evening beach walk.
Day 2: Rainforest walk, then wildlife viewing and learning about important whale research in this region.
Day 3: Morning kayak. Marine mammal viewing. Afternoon beachcombing, gentle hike to viewpoint and beach activities. Evening campfire.
Day 4: Baleen whale and other marine mammal viewing. Visiting offshore island group, looking for sea otters. Remote island beach walk/zodiac cruise.
Day 5: Cruising a majestic mainland fjord. Visit natural hot springs. Summer river estuary visit.
Day 6: Cruising deeper into the fjords, exploring waterfalls and ashore as we go, until we reach the great Kitlope river valley and estuary at the foot of 4,000-foot mountains for our night’s anchorage.
Day 7: Exploring other regions in this fjord, more hot springs. Marine mammal viewing. Evening zodiac tour or walk.
Day 8: Visit a First Nations village for cultural tour. Cruising northward among the inlets and waterways. Explore marine park and rainforest walk.
Day 9: Morning shore trip or tender tour or kayaking. Cruising to port, as always, watching for wildlife.
Itineraries are subject to change.
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Port Hardy to Kitimat Cruise
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Port Hardy to Kitimat Cruise
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Port McNeill to Bella Bella 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.
Indepth Wildlife Experiences
Our Associates Include
