Search for the legendary all-white spirit bear, and humpback whales deep in the Fiordland Conservancy in British Columbia. Travelling on a small yacht, explore the vast wilderness of the Great Bear Rainforest and its maze of fjords, estuaries and islands.
Surrounded by spectacular rock faces and waterfalls, this small ship adventure visits the largest remaining area of coastal rainforest on the Pacific coast; a complex maze of forested islands and waterways overlooked by towering mountains. Black, grizzly and honey-coloured Kermode, or spirit bears, feed on the salmon each summer and you may also see humpback whales. Daily shore excursions are lead by the onboard naturalist guide, using the vessel’s sea-kayaks and visiting traditional communities.
Read more about this rainforest wilderness from award-winning journalist Brian Jackman.
Typical Itinerary
Day1: Fly to Vancouver
Fly from the UK to Vancouver; depending on your arrival time you may have an opportunity head into the centre to explore one of North America’s most vibrant and cosmopolitan cities. Please note: you’ll be unaccompanied until you join your vessel on Day 3.
Accommodation: Hotel in Vancouver, 1-night
Day2: Fly to Bella Bella
This morning you’ll make your way back to the airport, then transfer to the South Terminal to take the morning Pacific Coastal Airlines flight to Bella Bella. On arrival at Bella Bella airport, take the shuttle to the Municipal Dock, and head to your overnight accommodation. Depending on your arrival time, you may have time to head out to explore Bella Bella.
Accommodation: Hotel/guesthouse in Bella Bella, 1-night
Day3: Board vessel
After a leisurely breakfast, make your way back to the Municipal Dock on the Bella Bella waterfront to meet your boat crew. Upon boarding the vessel, your cabin will be assigned and following a brief orientation you’ll set sail for the Great Bear Rainforest, where each night you’ll anchor in a different, secluded anchorage.
As you depart Bella Bella and approach the waters of Milbanke Sound, keep watch for sea otters, which are occasionally spotted wrapped in the fronds of the kelp beds to anchor themselves against the currents.
Over the next couple of days, you voyage deep into the coastal mountains to explore a large marine park called the Fiordland Conservancy. Beneath towering granite cliff faces and impressive waterfalls, you search remote estuaries in the hope of seeing grizzly bears attracted by the spawning salmon, some may even have cubs with them.
You spend each evening in a different anchorage, often in a secluded bay with wonderful views. During your daily shore excursions or small boat trips, the onboard naturalist will help identify different coastal plants, animals, birds and marine life. There will also be time to explore the protected waters using stable seakayaks.
Days7-8: Sail the Central Coast
As you explore the waters of southern Douglas Channel, Squally Channel and Whale Channel, you can expect to see humpback whales. Keep an eye out for large spouts and if you're lucky, you may even witness interesting behaviours such as breaches, pectoral slaps, spy-hopping and possibly bubble-net feeding. Fin whales have also been spotted more often in recent years and your guides will also look out for other marine mammals such as orca, porpoise and Steller sea lions, an inquisitive species that are expert, deep-water predators who dine a variety of fish, octopus and halibut.
Day9: Princess Royal Island
Travel along Princess Royal Island and keep a close watch on the shoreline, as this is the best-known area for seeing the rare spirit (also known as Kermode) bear. You spend a day with local Gitga’at First Nation guides, who will take you to their favourite bear watching areas. With a little patience, you can hopefully see black bears and the elusive, all-white spirit bear fishing for salmon at a quiet spawning stream hidden in the forest. These white bears are actually black bears expressing a genetic variation, resulting in about ten per cent of the area’s population being all white.
Day10: Disembark & fly to Vancouver
Enjoy a leisurely morning and bid farewell to new friends and tour guides. You arrive in Kitimat around noon and transfer (approximately one hour) to the airport for your flight to Vancouver. On arrival in Vancouver, you make your own way by shuttle bus to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you may have time to head out to explore Vancouver in the evening.
Accommodation: Hotel in Vancouver, 1-night
Day11: Depart Vancouver
The day is free for you to explore before your international flight back to the UK.
Day12: Arrive UK
Please note: The locations for embarkation and disembarkation vary according to departure date and vessel. Itineraries included: Bella Bella/Terrace or vice versa or Terrace/Terrace.
Key info
Duration and price including flights from/to UK: 12 daysfrom £6,440 pp
Duration and price excluding international flights: 8 daysfrom £5,060 pp
Single supplement:
On request – please contact us.
Isolated for thousands of years, this amazing wilderness off the BC coast is one of the most pristine areas left on earth – at the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest. In summer its wildlife is prolific, and whale watching excursions provides an ideal opportunity to learn about these marine mammals.
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The area’s mountains, valleys and forests, extending up much of BC’s coastline, offer sanctuary to large numbers of grizzlies and black bear. No other mainland location offers such intimate wildlife encounters amidst breathtaking natural splendour. You can watch bears on foot or while drifting downriver.
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Where: British Columbia
Ideal for viewing: American black bear, brown bear, humpback whale, spirit bear, grey wolf
British Columbia’s largest city stands in a fine coastal setting, against a backdrop of lofty tree-covered peaks - a great starting point to any wildlife holiday in the province. There is plenty to see in this lively, multi-cultural city, such as exploring Stanley Park on foot or by bike.
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Where: British Columbia
Excellent for: Activity & adventure, City stopover, History & culture
This itinerary is available on the following
cruise vessels:
Island Odyssey is a 21-metre ketch-rigged yacht, designed for cruising the coastlines of British Columbia and Alaska. Originally built as a luxurious private yacht, she has been renovated to update the cabins and all safety systems. Accommodation consists of eight double cabins, showers and a lounge/library.
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A 21-metre ketch-rigged yacht, the Island Roamer is large enough for comfort, privacy and safety, yet small enough to create a good atmosphere on board. She features eight private cabins, showers, a large salon and lounge areas. On deck, a large covered seating area provides protection against the elements.
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The Island Solitude accommodates 12 guests in large, spacious cabins, each with two lower berths and an en suite bathroom. At 24 metres in length, she has been built locally and specifically designed for cruising the coastline of British Columbia in search of the prolific wildlife to be found there.
Find Out More about Island Solitude