Alaska and BC Canada - Grizzly Bears and Whale Watching

Where can you wake to the cry of a soaring bald eagle, watch tons of ice thunder from the face of a glacier, walk in a spruce forest, and observe lunge-feeding whales, while cruising in complete comfort aboard a small ship? In Southeast Alaska — a land of fjords and islands teeming with wildlife. Our small ship Alaskan cruises will take you on an unforgettable journey along Alaska’s vast coastal wilderness. This Alaska cruise led by our experienced naturalist guides includes voyages to the Inside Passage and Glacier National Park.

Our small ship Alaskan cruises are the best way to explore the Inside Passage and this trip is limited by the capacity of our vessels.

Since 1982 our Alaska cruise ships the M/V Sea Lion and M/V Sea Bird have explored the magnificent Inside Passage of Alaska with an intimate number of guests in the company of naturalists aboard our small-ship Alaskan cruises. Walk forest trails to cascading waterfalls, bird watching and identifying wildflowers as you go. Enjoy Zodiac and kayaking forays and learn about Alaska’s rich Native American heritage. A full day is spent in Glacier Bay National Park.

Location of Adventure: Southeast Alaska

Group Size Limit: Approximately 62 Travelers

2008 Dates:
May 10 - 17, May 11 – 18, May 17 - 25*, May 18 – 26*, May 24 - May 31, May 25 – Jun 1, May 31 - Jun 7*, Jun 1 - 7*
Jun 7 - 14, Jun 8 - 15, Jun 14 - 21*, Jun 15 - 22*, Jun 21 - 28, Jun 28 - Jul 5*, Jun 29 - Jul 6*, Jul 5 - 12, Jul 6 - 13
Jul 12 - 19*, Jul 13 - 20*, Jul 19 - 26, Jul 20 - 27, Jul 26 - Aug 2*, Jul 27 - Aug 3*, Aug 2 - 9, Aug 9 - 16*, Aug 16 - 23
Aug 17 - 24, Aug 23 - 30*, Aug 24 - 31*, Aug 30 - Sep 6 and Aug 31 - Sep 7

Included
Accommodations aboard small cruise ship, all meals, all shore excursions and sightseeing, use of kayaks, entrance fees, group transfers as indicated in itinerary, tips (except to ship’s crew), taxes and service charges, services of natural history staff.

Not Included
Air transportation, optional extension, flightseeing, individual transfers, baggage/accident/cancellation insurance, items of a personal nature. Gratuities to ship’s crew at your discretion.

Physical Requirements
Easy / Moderate
This trip requires light hiking but can include long hikes or kayaking for those who desire.

Enquiry Form Email for current availability

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Consider BC for an amazing wildlife experience, where we are just about guaranteed to see Humpback whales and orca. There are orca (commonly known as the killer whale) pods living in the area all year round. Most of the whales spend the warmer months only (May through September) along the British Columbian coast, especially around the area of north eastern Vancouver Island - Johnstone Strait, Queen Charlotte Strait and Robson Bight in particular

The islands off British Columbia are so beautiful – massive snow clad peaks flank wildlife-rich seas, providing Mother Nature’s most spectacular contrast. This wildlife adventure touches upon the rich complexity of Canada’s most diverse province, allowing all travellers who stand on her shores to experience a wealth of natural and cultural sites.

On this adventure we will immerse you in these wild sites and give you a glimpse of the natural as well as cultural wonders of British Columbia.

Optional trips to see grizzly bears, bald eagles and a variety of other northern birdlife are available. One of the most unique animals of this region is the gray wolf, occasionally appearing in a jet-black coat. And at the coast you will see whales, porpoise, Pacific white-sided dolphins, as well as sea otters, sea eagles and many other birds.

The waters of Johnstone Strait and Queen Charlotte Strait are considered the best area in the world for observing Orcinus orca, commonly known as the killer whales or orca. The largest member of the dolphin family, orcas gather each summer in these waters to feed on returning salmon and to rub on the sandy beaches. A few times each summer, these whales congregate together for a “super pod” – where multiple pods or groups of orcas join together to frolic and socialize. From the comfort of our sailing vessel, the Island Odyssey, Natural Habitat guests will have a spectacular vantage point for viewing these remarkable creatures. We also embark on short kayak expeditions for an intimate exploration of this complex and beautiful marine ecosystem.

Enquiry Form Email for current availability

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Cruise BC waters - Inside Passage & Johnstone and Queen Charlotte Straits

Sail among orcas in their natural habitat, a place where they live in greater numbers than anywhere else on earth
Cruise and stay aboard a 68-foot sailing ketch, and get close to shore by kayak
Discover the inner sanctum of the temperate coastal rainforest, home to eagles and bears

Between the northern reaches of Vancouver Island’s crenellated coast and the British Columbia mainland lie the Johnstone and Queen Charlotte straits. These cold Pacific waters are home to the world’s greatest concentration of orcas, which gather here in large pods in summer to gorge on returning salmon. Commonly known as killer whales, orcas are the largest members of the dolphin family, gregarious and delightful. We get amazingly close to them on our expedition cruise aboard the Island Odyssey. In addition to watching for killer whales from our sailing ketch, short kayak excursions through the clear, protected waters further enhance our intimate experience of a marine environment of wild beauty.

Location of Adventure
Port McNeill, British Columbia

Group Size Limit: Approximately 12 Travelers
A very important feature of our expedition cruise in search of killer whales is the limited group size as nature expeditions are always best experienced in smaller groups.

Itinerary

Day 1 Port McNeill
You will be met at the airport and taken to your hotel. We will gather for an orientation dinner with our Expedition Leader.

Day 2 Johnstone Strait – Orcas
We depart Port McNeill aboard the Island Odyssey and sail eastward into Johnstone Strait, widely regarded as the best spot on earth for viewing orcas in the wild. Unlike Transient Orcas who hunt marine mammals, the whales of the Pacific Northwest feed primarily on fish. There are over 300 animals in these two populations, and they reside in very distinctive pods. We expect to have our first sighting this afternoon in the vicinity of the Robson Bight Ecological Reserve. Anchor for the night near Blackfish Sound (‘Blackfish’ is an historic name for orca).

Day 3 Broughton Archipelago – Kayaking & Orca Viewing
We head out early to look for wildlife - black bears and sometimes grizzlies can be found along the shores and bald eagles can often be seen overhead - then head into the protected waters of the Broughton Archipelago. This morning, we will have our first kayaking sessions in the protected waters of Indian and Village Channels. On this fascinating and easy paddle through a maze of small islands, our destination is the old native Kwakwaka’wakw village of Mimquimlees. Back aboard the Island Odyssey, we will watch for orcas breaching in the crystal clear waters. We will anchor for the night in Johnstone Strait.

Day 4 & 5 Orcas and the Wildlife of BC
These days will offer the best chances of viewing orcas. From the protected bay where the mothership is anchored, we are in the midst of the core orca area and they often travel right along the nearby shores. The photo opportunities are incredible, as the orcas may display their huge dorsal fins, open mouths, and graceful tails just 20 feet from our ship.

This secluded bay is an excellent area for kayaking, as well. Boarding our kayaks, we will glide over kelp beds, rich marine ecosystems from which curious seals often emerge just feet from our kayaks. The shallow tidal pools along the shores provide clear views of underwater urchins, sea cucumbers, sea stars and crabs. We will also take short nature walks through the lush coastal rainforest. Majestic western red cedar, sitka spruce, and Douglas fir tower above us, creating a cathedral-like effect, and chest-high ferns grace the forest floor.

Day 6: Port McNeill / Home
We return to Port McNeill by late morning to complete our voyage and allow guests to catch an afternoon flight back to Vancouver.

Please Note:
The orcas travel many miles each day and could be encountered anywhere along our itinerary. However, there is a core area where sightings are most likely. This itinerary is for purposes of example only. Our trip will be operating with flexibility to adapt to wildlife sightings, weather and tides, and the interests and abilities of the group.

Dates 2008 : Aug 27 - Sept 01

Price Indication Per Person: GBP1550 / USD3395

Single Supplement: GBP43 / USD75 (limited options at Port McNeill only, all ship based accommodation is for sharing)

The base currency in this case is the US Dollar and payments in other currencies may need to be adjusted for exchange rates.