2022 2023 Remarkable Journeys. Engaging People. Wild Spaces - CATALOGUE
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2022 2023 CATA LO G U E Remarkable Journeys. Engaging People. Wild Spaces. EXPEDITION CRUISES BY BOUTIQUE SHIP B R I T I S H C O L U M B I A , C A N A D A , A N D A L A S K A
INTRODUCTION Why Our Ships Give You the of how to make delicacies from nettles; naturalists’ understanding of bears’ body language; visits with local Best of the Inside Passage and researchers who understand the latest patterns and Haida Gwaii behaviors of humpback whales. The coastline of British Columbia and Alaska undulates Typical Activities into bays, twists into archipelagos, and stretches down » Rainforest walks fjords that slice through mountain ranges. » Beachcombing This is wild geography. There are few roads. As a result, » Exploring by small boat wildlife and nature thrive. The few coastal communities » Wildlife viewing have a deep connection to the ocean. » Natural history interpretation To reach the richest areas, you must travel by water, as » Coastal village visits people have done for millennia. » Beach campfire and star watching in dark skies Our tiny ships access a world closed to bigger ships. » Cultural experiences and site visits Our permits and First Nations protocol agreements, » Photography combined with our crew’s local knowledge, give you » Kayaking (optional) exclusive reach to special areas, wildlife and people. » Hiking (optional; possibly one good hike on a trip) Personalized and Enriching » Fishing (with a licence) » Foraging (sea asparagus, berries, etc., some trips only) With just 8, 12 or 24 guests per trip, you travel as our welcome guest, not part of a crowd to be managed. The Eco-Tourism is Regenerative proximity you will feel to the coast’s mountains, forests Our approach is to enhance, rather than take from, our and life is incomparable with any other form of cruis- home, to give you an exceptional experience that also ing. Every moment is part of a real journey. leaves a legacy. Ever since our inception 30 years ago, Enjoy the friendship of residents. Smell the sweet conif- we have celebrated, partnered with and funded nature erous forest as you step ashore. Feel the rhythm of ship conservation and cultural communities, including in- and ocean as you steer under crew’s guidance, taste the digenous communities and guides, where we operate. flavour of huckleberries or freshly caught prawns, and hear a whale’s sharp inhalation of breath before it dives. Spontaneous Adventures Our purpose is to delight and inspire you, while also Our itineraries are flexible to give you the best experi- benefitting our ecosystems and social fabric. Care and ence possible; they are true open itineraries in the spirit attention to detail are at the heart of all we do. of exploration and discovery. If you seek to explore in CANADA ALASKA 3 BOUTIQUE SHIPS an authentic way, with the camaraderie of expert crew Local Guides and guides, we look forward to welcoming you aboard. Haida Gwaii Alaska Adventure Maple Leaf Everyone is a local - from naturalist to chef - with Is Adventure Travel for You? Great Bear Rainforest Alaska Supervoyage Swell insights to share. Often they are involved in ongoing Broughton Archipelago Cascadia coastal research, community building, and the care of This is a trip for people with adventurous spirits. Our our unique ships. All are handpicked for their mastery ships are beautiful and comfortable but if you seek ur- Desolation Sound and expertise. They are happy to share their knowledge ban or cruise ship amenities, including shows, shopping Vancouver Island with you – expert mariners’ intimate understanding and 24-hour-a-day alcohol, this trip may not be for you. Gulf Islands National Park of coastal bathymetry and weather; chefs’ knowledge 3
DESTINATIONS Welcome aboard. Join us Sitka to explore the thousands of islands that make up the SOUTHEAST Inside Passage and Haida ALASKA Gwaii. USA CANADA and Maureen ntures owners Kevin Maple Leaf Adve A Letter from Kevin & Maureen: And we’re connected by our pride in doing great HAIDA Kitlope work to keep our coastal economies, nature and GWAII Our Coastal Community communities alive and healthy. GREAT BEAR RAINFOREST Dear Friends, All of us – from our crew who maintain and We are pleased to introduce you to the wonder operate our three coastal ships, the guides who steer you to that special wildlife spot, the elders and soul of the spectacular coastline we consider BROUGHTON who share their time, the conservation scientists ourselves fortunate to spend our lives on. ARCHIPELAGO who receive our support, to the folks in the office DESOL ATION We know that your holiday time is precious and making arrangements – welcome you to the Maple Pacific SOUND we are grateful you have chosen to spend it here. Leaf Adventures family and, by extension, to our Ocean Wild Side Although in geological time, Maple Leaf Adven- coastal community. tures’ 35 years of history is a blip, in our time, it Thank you. VANCOUVER Sa lish has enabled us to build deep, meaningful connec- Se Vancouver ISLAND a tions with places and people all along the coast’s stunning breadth. 250 km GULF ISLANDS We sometimes say that the coast is like a small Kevin Smith and Maureen Gordon town -- a 1,000 kilometre-long small town. Co-Owners Seattle Whether we’re in Sitka or Bella Bella or Ganges, we share a marine-based culture. We’re connected Ha i d a G w a i i . p 6 Broughton Archipelago. p 36 even when we can’t see one another – by the usual G r e a t B e a r Ra i n f o r e s t . p 1 0 Va n c o u v e r Is l a n d . p 4 0 methods, by our travels and visits ashore, and also Alaska . p 20 Un i q u e J o u r n e y s . p 4 5 by the marine radio that’s a lifeblood of the coast. G u l f Is l a n d s . p 2 6 Special Offers . p 46 Desolation Sound . p 32 About the Itineraries In each destination that follows, we list the sample itinerary for each trip. The itineraries show the route and events of a typical trip. Note, that our itineraries are flexible, to accommodate the actions of wildlife, weather and special events we encounter. Our expert crew know how to combine the highlights of each area, and in the right order, to provide the best possible trip each time. 4 5
DESTINATION | HAIDA GWAII DESTINATION | HAIDA GWAII O V E R V I E W “We were warmly Masset welcomed by Haida people Explore ancient ecosystems, who introduced us to their wildlife, Haida culture and mon- culture and traditions, and umental art on our classic trip. Skidegate led us on tours of their In this archipelago, sometimes known as “the Sandspit boundary between worlds”, you’ll experience the historic sites. We also had meeting of North America’s ancient rainforest, great fun kayaking, fishing ocean and charismatic wildlife, and the culture that grew from them. for rock bass and harvesting Situated on the continental shelf, the region is one Pacific GWAII HAANAS sea asparagus. Life on the of the planet’s most biologically productive. Among Ocean the hundreds of islands, the marine world is thick Cascadia was pure luxury in with fish, mammals and seabirds. Haida Gwaii has UNESCO WORLD H E R I TA G E S I T E 50 km S G A N G G W A AY terms of comfort, gourmet supported the powerful and artistic Haida culture for so long that nobody knows how far beyond the dining and amazing last ice age this history runs. service.” Our rich itinerary lets you fully experience this place of wonder: from the communities of the north - JMR on TripAdvisor, 2019 island to Gwaii Haanas in the south; from ancient village sites to modern culture; from dense rainfor- est to sweeping beaches; from small beach shells to huge baleen whales and thousand-year-old cedars. Special Features » Haida-guided interpretation, with additional free time, at ancient Haida village sites, includ- ing UNESCO world heritage site SGang Gwaay (Ninstints). » A longer trip, with a week in the protected Gwaii Haanas region. » Naturalist walks in ancient rainforest, beachcomb- ing, natural hot springs soak, wildlife colony visit, remote island exploration. » Unique exploration of northern Haida Gwaii high- lights on our land day portion of the trip. » A seamless journey that builds in depth and camaraderie. » Local guides with 35 years’ of history operating here. 6 7
DESTINATION | HAIDA GWAII DESTINATION | HAIDA GWAII D A T E S & I T I N E R A R Y S A M P L E D A T E S & I T I N E R A R Y S A M P L E ITINERARY 1 DAY 1 DAY 7 Haida Gwaii Classic Tour kickoff, land-based tour Sailing Juan Perez Sound, of Northern Haida Gwaii and whale watching, visit seabird modern communities as well researchers at seabird colony. 2022 DATES 2023 DATES as cultural activities including the famed Haida Heritage Centre. Dinner and lodge DATES/PRICES & SHIP: DATES/PRICES & SHIP: accommodation on Graham DAY 8 Maple Leaf Maple Leaf Island. Windy Bay cultural heritage site, whale watching, K’uuna Jun 6-14 / Jun 15-23 Jun 6-14 / Jun 15-23 (Skedans) village site. Jun 23-Jul 1 / Jul 1-9 Jun 23-Jul 1 / Jul 1-9 DAY 2-3 Jul 9-17 Jul 9-17 Tlell, Skidegate, Haida Heritage Centre at KAAY DAY 9 $6950 CAD $7700 CAD LLNAGAAY, board ship, Cruise to port and transporta- orientation, cruising, whale tion to Sandspit airport. A one-of-a-kind trip, designed for Canadian Geographic. DEPART/RETURN: watching, island anchorage DEPART/RETURN: and explore ashore. T’aanuu Exclusive guiding by special resource person TBA (previous resource people have been Wade Davis and Severn Cullis-Suzuki). Flights to and Masset, BC Masset, BC village site, Burnaby Narrows Note: for some of the planet’s dens- from Vancouver, special additional cultural opportunities and an accomplished ambassador from the Royal Canadian Geographical Society Sandspit, BC Sandspit, BC est intertidal life, kayaking, Trips on Maple Leaf are 8 are included in this trip. (This trip is one day longer than Cascadia’s typical Haida Gwaii trips). cruising. nights/9 days Trips on Cascadia are 7 Cascadia Cascadia nights/8 days (same key high- ITINERARY 2 DAY 1 DAY 6 DAY 4-6 lights) and include roundtrip May 8-15 / May 15-22 May 8-15 / May 15-22 Sailing southward in Gwaii flights from Vancouver and Haida Gwaii with Meet at Vancouver airport’s Seabird viewing, UNESCO May 22-29 / May 29-Jun 5 May 22-29 / May 29-Jun 5 return. south terminal for flight to World Heritage Site visit, Jun 14-21 / Jun 21-28 Jun 14-21 / Jun 21-28 Haanas, towards Cape St. James (southern tip of Haida Art at Sea trip includes art Canadian Geographic Haida Gwaii. Tour kickoff, SGang Gwaay (Ninstints), Rose then land-based tour of Mas- Harbour visit (remote commu- Gwaii), fishing. Seabird view- instructor and opportunity to set, Old Masset, North Beach, nity, pop. 4) Jun 28-Jul 5 Jun 28-Jul 5 ing, UNESCO World Heri- paint and sketch. tage Site visit, SGang Gwaay 2022 DATES 2023 DATES Tow Hill, tour of Graham Is- $10300 CAD (cat. 1) $11200 CAD (cat. 1) land. Special Haida welcome (Ninstints), Rose Harbour dinner and lodge accommo- $11950 CAD (cat. 2) $12950 CAD (cat. 2) visit (remote community, DATES/PRICES & SHIP: DATES/PRICES & SHIP: dation in Skitegate. DAY 7-8 pop. 4). Cruising, rainforest $13600 CAD (cat. 3) $14800 CAD (cat. 3) walk, possible bears. Cascadia Cascadia Cruising Juan Perez Sound, whale watching, visit seabird Jun 6-14 Jun 6-14 DEPART & RETURN: DEPART & RETURN: DAY 2-3 researchers at seabird colony. $11950 CAD (cat. 1) $12800 CAD (cat. 1) Windy Bay cultural heritage Vancouver, BC Vancouver, BC Tlaal, Skidegate, Haida site, whale-watching, K’uuna $13850 CAD (cat. 2) $14850 CAD (cat. 2) Heritage Centre at KAAY (Skedans) village site. Farewell LLNAGAAY, board ship, dinner. $15800 CAD (cat. 3) $16900 CAD (cat. 3) orientation, cruising, whale watching, island anchorage DEPART & RETURN: and explore ashore. T’aanuu DEPART & RETURN: village site, Burnaby Narrows DAY 9 Vancouver, BC Vancouver, BC for some of the planet’s dens- Cruising to Sandspit. Flight est intertidal life, kayaking, cruising. from Sandspit to Vancouver. DAY 4-5 Sailing southward in Gwaii Haanas, Cape St. James (southern tip of Haida Gwaii), Woodruff Bay beach exploration, fishing. 8 9
DESTINATION | GREAT BEAR RAINFOREST DESTINATION | GREAT BEAR RAINFOREST O V E R V I E W “Every day was an exciting Awe and humility in one of one. We saw abundance of Earth’s last great wild places. Prince wildlife; humpback whales Journey into one of Earth’s greatest wild places. It Rupert Kitamaat is a land of fjords, mountains, rainforests, and great bubble-net feeding, eagles river estuaries. It is home to grizzlies, wolves and galore, grizzlies, black bears the mysterious white Spirit Bear. Maple Leaf ’s trips in 3 seasons (spring, summer, fall) are timed for Kitlope and low-and-behold a Spirit peak experiences of natural beauty and wildlife. Klemtu Bear fishing for salmon. Bella Bella Special Features This trip exceeded all our Pacific » Cruising and exploring granite fjords, hidden expectations. I returned passageways and quiet coves. Ocean » Opportunity to view grizzly bears, black bears and home with thousands of spirit bears in their natural habitat, with expert Port McNeill guides. photographs and wonderful » Seasonal highlights with naturalists: wildflower 150 km Campbell River memories which I will meadows in spring, outer beaches and exploration in summer, salmon spawning in autumn. cherish forever.” » Whales and other marine mammals populate the protected waters. » Ancient human history and modern First Nations - Sandra H., 2021 culture with local hosts. » Other wild highlights such as west-coast beaches, natural hot springs. » Exploring the ancient rainforest – the largest tracts in the world, without roads. » Visits with researchers who have spent many years discovering new elements of the region’s biology. 10 11
DESTINATION | GREAT BEAR RAINFOREST DESTINATION | GREAT BEAR RAINFOREST I T I N E R A R I E S D A T E S & I T I N E R A R Y S A M P L E SPRING SUMMER AUTUMN ITINERARY 1 DAY 1 DAY 5-7 Vancouver Island Board at Campbell River. Entering the mainland inlets Cruising Quadra Island and and fjords. Likely humpback to Great Bear Rainforest Vancouver Island shores. whales, possibly early bears. Unique features: wildflowers and so Unique features: Incredible whale Unique features: Salmon run, spirit Seymour Narrows, the divid- Fjordland where waterfalls ing line between southern cascade down granite cliffs. much green, fair weather, stunning and seabird activity; west coast bear, grizzly bear, black bear, whales, 2022 DATES 2023 DATES and northern climates. His- Petroglyphs, hot springs scenery, grizzlies in sedge meadows beaches; settled weather generally. wetter weather. toric Ripple Rock, watch for visit, cultural history, bear porpoises. Rainforest walk. meadows. (mid May to mid July trips), migrat- DATES/PRICES & SHIP: DATES/PRICES & SHIP: Great Bear Summer Great Bear Rainforest Autumn Anchorage Port Neville. ing birds, whales. (Prince Rupert to Kitimat) or (Kitimat to Kitimat) or Maple Leaf Maple Leaf Vancouver Island to (Kitimat to Prince Rupert) (Prince Rupert to Bella Bella) or May 11-19 May 11-19 DAY 8 Great Bear Rainforest (Bella Bella to Bella Bella) or DAY 2-4 Whales & Wild Isles Explore west coast islands. (Kitimat to Bella Bella) or $4350 CAD $4650 CAD Johnstone Strait and the Beach walks and zodiac (Port McNeill to Bella Bella) or Great Bear (Bella Bella to Kitimat) steep-sided islands of the excursions. (Port Hardy to Prince Rupert) Rainforest Spring DEPART/RETURN: DEPART/RETURN: Broughton Archipelago. Coastal villages, Alert Bay Great Bear Great Bear Rainforest & Campbell River, BC Campbell River, BC cultural centre, marine mam- Kitlope Supervoyage DAY 9 Rainforest & Kitlope Bella Bella, BC Bella Bella, BC mals. Sailing Cape Caution, exploring western islands and Cruise to Bella Bella. Wildlife beaches of southern Great viewing en route. Bear. ITINERARY 2 DAY 1 DAY 5 Great Bear Rainforest Spring Board your ship, orientation, Visit coastal community, cruise into Fjordland viewing sailing down whale channel, spectacular mountains and viewing of marine mammals 2022 DATES 2023 DATES waterfalls. Rainforest walk. including whales and sea lions. Visit remote whale research station and speak with sci- DATES/PRICES & SHIP: DATES/PRICES & SHIP: entists. Cruise to west coast DAY 2-3 Maple Leaf Maple Leaf Visit great Fjordland river es- beach and explore. May 20-27 May 20-27 tuaries, wildflower meadows. Possible bear viewing. Visit DAY 6-7 $5200 CAD $5600 CAD First Nations community of Klemtu, including guided Sailing the outer coast, explor- Swell Swell tour and conversations at ing remote islands. Intertidal big house, example of First life, whales, seabirds, beaches. May 19-26 May 19-26 Nations artistry, culture and Exploring north coast wolf Jun 3-10, Kitimat to Jun 3-10, Kitimat to architecture habitat, cruising from outer coast to inner coast, rainforest Prince Rupert Prince Rupert walk. $6300 CAD (cat. 1) $6850 CAD (cat. 1) DAY 4 $6900 CAD (cat. 2) $7550 CAD (cat. 2) Mainland inlet, bear viewing, DAY 8 rainforest walk, waterfalls, $7600 CAD (cat. 3) $8300 CAD (cat. 3) inside passage cruising, hot Cruising to Kitimat, wildlife springs visit. viewing en route. DEPART/RETURN: DEPART/RETURN: Bella Bella, BC Bella Bella, BC Kitimat, BC Kitimat, BC 12 13
DESTINATION | GREAT BEAR RAINFOREST DESTINATION | GREAT BEAR RAINFOREST D A T E S & I T I N E R A R Y S A M P L E D A T E S & I T I N E R A R Y S A M P L E ITINERARY 3 DAY 1 DAY 5 ITINERARY 4 DAY 1 bird viewing, beachcombing, optional evening kayak. Great Bear Rainforest & Kitlope Board your ship, orientation, Sail deep into the coast moun- Whales & Wild Isles, Board at Kitimat. Orien- cruising and watching for tains, leaving the outside world tation, cruising Douglas DAY 6 and Kitlope Supervoyage marine mammals and birds. behind as the fjord snakes past Great Bear Rainforest Channel and Whale Channel. Anchorage: hot springs. 4,000-foot peaks to the Kitlope. Island anchorage. Beach Cruising the outer islands, Go ashore in the vast Kitlope exploration. scenic coastal hike with a view, 2022 DATES 2023 DATES estuary for the amazing tale of 2022 DATES 2023 DATES humpback whale viewing, exploring islets by kayak or the G’psgolox pole. Explore the DAY 2-3 river and the estuary, watching zodiac. DATES/PRICES & SHIP: DATES/PRICES & SHIP: for wildlife. DATES/PRICES & SHIP: DATES/PRICES & SHIP: DAY 2-4 Cruise mainland inlet estuary Maple Leaf Maple Leaf popular with bears. Estuary Maple Leaf Maple Leaf Visit whale researchers at meadow walk (wildflowers), their remote research station. DAY 7-8 May 28-Jun 3 May 28-Jun 3 learning about bear habitat, DAY 6 Jul 21-29, Jul 21-29, Marine mammal viewing. river exploration. Morning Sailing the outer coast. Going Rounding Cape Caution, whale $4650 CAD $4950 CAD Cruise to Kowesas to explore Aug 21-29, reverse, Aug 21-29, reverse, watching, entering Queen exploration ashore, then ashore on wild islands, ex- cruising Whale Channel, ashore and then the site of ends in Bella Bella ends in Bella Bella ploring intertidal life, marine Charlotte Strait, home of orcas. Kemaano. Cruise to hot Killer whale viewing, sea lion Swell Swell aptly named and popular with cetaceans. Visit whale springs. $6250 CAD $6700 CAD mammals, sailing the schoo- ner Maple Leaf. Humpback viewing, possible dolphins, researchers at remote station. whale viewing. Visit to a re- rainforest hike. May 27-Jun 2 May 27-Jun 2 Marine mammal viewing. mote and natural hot spring. DEPART/RETURN: DEPART/RETURN: $6000 CAD (cat. 1) $6400 CAD (cat. 1) Inner islands rainforest and DAY 7 Kitimat, BC Kitimat, BC wildflower exploration, por- $6550 CAD (cat. 2) $7000 CAD (cat. 2) poises. Visit village of Klemtu DAY 9 Cruise to Kitimat. Wildlife $7200 CAD (cat. 3) $7700 CAD (cat. 3) DAY 4 viewing en route. Port McNeill, BC Port McNeill, BC for big house tour and village Cruising to Port McNeill. Return to mainland water- visit. Sailing to remote island ways, and enter Gardner Ca- group, sea otter viewing, sea- Cascadia Cascadia nal, the longest fjord on the Note: Trips on Maple Leaf and coast. This stunning waterway Swell are 6 nights/7 days. Aug 17-25 Aug 17-25 qualifies as remote wilderness but is filled with the stories Trips on Cascadia are 8 $9000 CAD (cat. 1) $9650 CAD (cat. 1) nights/9 days. Cascadia trip is and history of the Henaaksia- $10600 CAD (cat. 2) $11,350 CAD (cat. 2) la people. a Supervoyage spending more ITINERARY 5 DAY 1 DAY 5-7 $12050 CAD (cat.3) $12,900 CAD (cat.3) time exploring the spectacular Gardner Canal region and Whales & Wild Isles, Board Port Hardy, BC. Orien- Exploring the Great Bear and tation, cruising and watching the meadows, rivers and life of additional opportunity to see spawning salmon and foraging Great Bear Rainforest whales in Blackfish Sound. the fjords. Possible grizzly bear DEPART AND RETURN: DEPART AND RETURN: bears. Possible humpbacks, orcas, viewing. Visit Bella Bella and porpoises. Island anchorage, First Nations village of Klemtu. Kitimat, BC Kitimat, BC 2022 DATES 2023 DATES beach exploration. DATES/PRICES & SHIP: DATES/PRICES & SHIP: DAY 8 DAY 2-4 Cascadia Cascadia Sailing northwest, from Head to the outer coast for beautiful island group, sunset Jul 23-31 Jul 23-31 Broughton Archipelago to the views, and wild coast explor- wilder outer coast, around ing. Possible sea otters. $9000 CAD (cat. 1) $9650 CAD (cat. 1) Cape Caution, viewing hump- $10600 CAD (cat. 2) $11350 CAD (cat. 2) back whales and seabirds. Shore trip at Penrose Islands. $12050 CAD (cat. 3) $12900 CAD (cat. 3) Calvert Island, beach and DAY 9 forest walk, research station, Cruise to Prince Rupert. Wild- sailing up Fitzhugh Sound life viewing en route. DEPART/RETURN: DEPART/RETURN: exploring small outer islands, Port Hardy, BC Port Hardy, BC with a variety of marine mammals. Optional evening Prince Rupert, BC Prince Rupert, BC kayak. Sailing northeast into mainland fjords. Visit Ocean Falls, possible dolphins, bear viewing and/or hot springs, depending on route. 14 15
DESTINATION | GREAT BEAR RAINFOREST DESTINATION | GREAT BEAR RAINFOREST D A T E S & I T I N E R A R Y S A M P L E D A T E S & I T I N E R A R Y S A M P L E ITINERARY 6 DAY 1 Rainforest walk. Visit to com- ITINERARY 8 DAY 1 DAY 5-6 munity of Hartley Bay with Great Bear Rainforest North Welcome aboard at Prince local guides at the big house. Great Bear Rainforest Autumn Welcome aboard and orien- Mainland fjords of the coast Rupert, cruising watching for tation, cruising to the outer mountains. Exploring wa- wildlife. Evening kayak or zo- coast, watching for whales, terfalls, walking the majestic 2022 DATES diac cruise. Welcome dinner. 2022 DATES 2023 DATES anchor and explore outer rainforest and meadows. DAY 4 coast beach. Grizzly and black bear viewing DATES/PRICES & SHIP: DATES/PRICES & SHIP: and habitat exploration. DATES/PRICES & SHIP: Cruising Whale Channel, Discovering river by zodiac. DAY 2 observing marine life. Whale Swell Swell Swell Cruising the spectacular research station visit. Marine DAY 2-3 Visit with bear researchers and stewards. mammal haul-out visit. Aug 31-Sep 8, Prince Rupert Aug 31-Sep 8, Prince Rupert Jul 6-13 scenery of the coast’s longest Exploring the islands of the $6300 CAD (cat. 1) fjord – granite cliffs, water- to Bella Bella; Sep 9-17, Bella to Bella Bella; Sep 9-17, Bella west coast: seabirds, intertidal falls and mountain peaks. life, wolf and bear habitat. DAY 7-8 $6900 CAD (cat. 2) Shore trip in estuary meadow DAY 5-6 Bella to Kitimat; Sep 18-26, Bella to Kitimat; Sep 18-26, The beaches of the west coast frequented by bears. After- Kitimat to Bella Bella; Kitimat to Bella Bella; and hike to coastal bog with Spirit bear island anchor- $7600 CAD (cat. 3) Cruising the wild outer coast, noon anchorage and visit views. West coast beach fire. age. Day-long excursion to island hopping, beach visits, Sep 27-Oct 5, Bella Bella Sep 27-Oct 5, Bella Bella to special cultural site with spirit bear viewing site with hike to view over Pacific. Inter- permission of the owners. bear stands. Evening whales DEPART AND RETURN: tidal life, whales, seabirds. to Kitimat; Oct 7-15, to Kitimat; Oct 7-15, Exploration of spectacular and spectacular scenery of Prince Rupert, BC river valley. Kitimat to Bella Bella Kitimat to Bella Bella DAY 4 Devastation Channel and the Entering the inner channels Gardner Canal. Optional eve- DAY 7-8 $9550 CAD (cat. 1) $10900 CAD (cat. 1) ning kayak or small boat trip. of the Great Bear, Camaano DAY 3 Viewing whales and exploring $10450 CAD (cat. 2) $11900 CAD (cat. 2) Sound, Whale Channel. Marine mammal viewing. northern islands. Cruising $11350 CAD (cat. 3) $13000 CAD (cat. 3) Cruising the Great Bear Visit to whale research DAY 9 to pretty port community of Rainforest’s inner channels. station. Exploring the coast of Prince Rupert. Visit bear viewing meadow. DEPART/RETURN: DEPART/RETURN: Princess Royal Island. Cruise to Kitimat, watching for whales. Kitimat, BC (or Kitimat, BC (or Prince Rupert) Prince Rupert) Bella Bella, BC Bella Bella, BC ITINERARY 7 DAY 1 DAY 4 Great Bear Rainforest Summer Welcome aboard, cruising Exploring the rainforest ITINERARY 9 DAY 1 DAY 5-6 watching for wildlife. Evening ashore as we meander through 2022 DATES 2023 DATES kayak or zodiac cruise. Wel- come dinner. the channels and mainland anchorages of the Great Bear Great Bear Rainforest Autumn Welcome aboard and orienta- Exploring spectacular inlet and tion, cruising. River explora- river by zodiac, looking for Rainforest. Optional activities tion, and learning about the grizzly and black bears, seals such as kayaking, fishing. DATES/PRICES & SHIP: DATES/PRICES & SHIP: 2022 DATES 2023 DATES ‘salmon forest’. and eagles. Evening hot springs DAY 2 visit. Spirit bear island for the Cascadia Cascadia day. Shore excursion to viewing Visit whale researchers at DAY 5 DATES/PRICES & SHIP: DATES/PRICES & SHIP: DAY 2-3 site with bear stands. Whale Aug 1-5, Aug 1-5, remote station. Viewing marine mammals in one of Cruising to port, watching for Maple Leaf Maple Leaf Beach walk. Cruising into Channel, humpback whale watching. Optional kayak. Aug 6-10, Aug 6-10, Fjordland. Massive water- the coast’s best habitat for wildlife. Aug 31-Sep 8, Aug 31-Sep 8, Aug 12-16 Aug 12-16 humpback whales, fin whales falls, spectacular inlet, and and killer whales, as well as Sep 9-17, Sep 9-17, pictographs. Cruising to one DAY 7-8 $5300 CAD (cat. 1) $5600 CAD (cat. 1) other species. of the leading grizzly bear Sep 18-26, Sep 18-26, havens. Extended watching Visit with whale researchers $6250 CAD (cat. 2) $6600 CAD (cat. 2) for bears. Optional evening and marine mammal viewing, Sep 27-Oct 5, Sep 27-Oct 5, $7150 CAD (cat. 3) $7500 CAD (cat. 3) kayak, fishing. hike and beach bonfire. Sailing DAY 3 Oct 7-15 Oct 7-15 down coastal channel. Outer coast beach exploration. DEPART/RETURN: DEPART/RETURN: Explore outer coastal beaches, $7350 CAD $8050 CAD DAY 4 walk / hike to view over Pa- Kitimat, BC Kitimat, BC cific. Watch for seabirds and Morning shore walk, visit DAY 9 wolves or wolf sign in this DEPART AND RETURN: DEPART AND RETURN: First Nations village, Klemtu. Prince Rupert, BC Prince Rupert, BC habitat for marine wolves. Bella Bella, BC Bella Bella, BC Big House tour by village Cruise to Bella Bella, watching or reverse or reverse guide. Fjord anchorage. for wildlife. 16 17
DESTINATION | GREAT BEAR RAINFOREST DESTINATION | GREAT BEAR RAINFOREST D A T E S & I T I N E R A R Y S A M P L E D A T E S & I T I N E R A R Y S A M P L E ITINERARY 10 DAY 1 Whale viewing. Visit whale re- searchers at remote station. Sea Great Bear Rainforest Autumn Welcome aboard in Haisla lion viewing. Island anchorage. territory, cruising to evening anchorage, watching for 2022 DATES 2023 DATES whales. Evening rainforest DAY 5 walk before dinner. DATES/PRICES & SHIP: DATES/PRICES & SHIP: Visit the Great Bear Rainfor- est’s wild outer islands and Cascadia Cascadia DAY 2 beaches. Beach visit and hike to views over the Pacific ocean. Aug 26-Sep 2, Aug 26-Sep 2, Cruising down a spectacu- Kayaking or optional fishing. lar, long fjord, where granite Cruising to and exploring ar- Sep 3-10, Sep 12-19, mountains rise from thou- chipelago of tiny islands, some Sep 12-19, Sep 20-27, sands of feet below in the sea. areas so wild they’re not yet Viewing waterfalls and possi- fully charted. Seabird viewing. Sep 28-Oct 5, Sep 28-Oct 5, ble mountain goats. Exploring Oct 6-13 (ends in Oct 6-13 (ends in ashore in estuary meadows, A one-of-a-kind trip, designed for Canadian Geographic. where some bears spend their Bella Bella) Bella Bella) days in the autumn. Learning DAY 6 Exclusive guiding by Canadian Geographic photographer. Special additional photo opportunities and an accomplished ambassador from about the daily life of bears, $9850 CAD (cat. 1) $10550 CAD (cat. 1) and the salmon cycle. Option- Rainforest walk and salmon the Royal Canadian Geographical Society are included in this trip. See insert for more detail. $11450 CAD (cat. 2) $12250 CAD (cat. 2) al evening kayaking. spawning stream. Cruising to historic cannery site of $13000 CAD (cat. 3) $13950 CAD (cat. 3) Butedale on Princess Royal ITINERARY 11 DAY 1 researchers at remote station. Island. Optional hike to lake. DAY 3 Great Bear Rainforest Photography DEPART AND RETURN: DEPART AND RETURN: Welcome aboard in Haisla DAY 5 Bear viewing among the territory, cruising to evening Kitimat, BC Kitimat, BC fjords. Learning the indige- DAY 7 with Canadian Geographic anchorage, watching for Visit the Great Bear Rainfor- est’s wild outer islands and nous history and stories of whales. Evening photography special sites in the region. Visit island known as the epi- presentation and lecture. beaches. Beach visit and hike Cruising the Great Bear’s is- centre of spirit bears with local 2022 DATES 2023 DATES to views over the Pacific ocean. Kayaking or optional fishing. Note: Oct 6-13 trip ends in Note: Oct 6-13 trip ends in land channels. Visit to village guides as well as Cascadia’s Bella Bella. Bella Bella. of Hartley Bay for a big house bear guides. Full day at viewing Cruising to and exploring ar- Same key highlights. Same key highlights. tour and cultural introduction site for the best opportunity to DATES/PRICES & SHIP: DATES/PRICES & SHIP: DAY 2 chipelago of tiny islands, some areas so wild they’re not yet by local guide. view a spirit bear. Last night celebration dinner and events. Cascadia Cascadia Cruising down a spec- tacular, long fjord, where fully charted. Seabird viewing. Sep 20-27 Sep 3-10 granite mountains rise from DAY 4 thousands of feet below in DAY 8 $10250 CAD (cat. 1) $10950 CAD (cat. 1) the sea. Viewing waterfalls Cruising Whale Channel $11900 CAD (cat. 2) $12750 CAD (cat. 2) and possible mountain goats. DAY 6 Cruise to port, watching for region, a critical habitat for Exploring ashore in estu- Rainforest walk and salmon wildlife. $13550 CAD (cat. 3) $14500 CAD (cat. 3) several species of whales. ary meadows, where some spawning stream. Cruising to bears spend their days in the historic cannery site of Bu- autumn. Learning about the tedale on Princess Royal Island. DEPART AND RETURN: DEPART AND RETURN: daily life of bears, and the Optional hike to lake. Kitimat, BC Kitimat, BC salmon cycle. DAY 7-8 DAY 3-4 Visit island known as the epi- Bear viewing among the centre of spirit bears with local fjords while learning from guides as well as Cascadia’s photography guide in action. bear and photography guides. Cruising the Great Bear’s Full day at viewing site for island channels and Whale the best opportunity to view a Channel. Visit to village of spirit bear. Last night celebra- Hartley Bay for a big house tion dinner and photo sharing. tour and cultural introduc- Cruise to port. tion by local guide. Visit to 18 19
DESTINATION | ALASKA DESTINATION | ALASKA O V E R V I E W “Our trip was truly amazing Ca SA na U da and better than we could The ultimate Alaska itinerary. have imagined. Southeast Ford’s Terror Wilderness Southeast Alaska breathes majesty: fjords, islands, Admiralty Is. Alaska is one of the most rivers, and tidewater glaciers. Its rich, cold waters Sou nd support abundant wildlife, from humpback whales ick beautiful and peaceful to sea otters, sea lions, and millions of seabirds. Sitka Fred er Petersburg Baranof Is. Kupreanof Is. places we’ve been. Our The land supports towering rainforests and lush estuaries where brown bears, black bears and bald crew was exceptional. It eagles feed. The towns evoke Alaska’s history – would not have been such from Tlingit to American. On board a Maple Leaf Ketchikan boutique expedition cruise, your exploration of this Pacific a great trip without their overpowering wilderness differs significantly from Ocean expertise in everything. the typical cruise ship experience. They were professional, You will be part of a very small group of guests who 100 km wish to experience Alaska by living and breathing knowledgeable, talented, its grandeur day after day, not by steaming past it at twenty knots. extremely gracious, and fun hosts! ” - Maggie T. 2017 Special Features » Intimate and up-close experience of Alaska’s ice world, with at least one day-long journey down a fjord to a calving glacier, plus zodiac ride or kayaking with naturalists among the ice bergs and local wildlife. » Special, hard-to-get access to the best brown bear viewing site in southeast Alaska, Pack Creek, with our expert bear guides. » Guided visits to historic Alaskan communities like Petersburg, Ketchikan and Sitka, as well as the hamlet of Baranof (possible hot springs). » Flexible daily itinerary to make the most of ad- hoc opportunities » Close encounters with whales and other marine mammals to observe and listen to their natural be- havior in a respectful manner. » Rainforest walks, beach visits, and a sense of what it’s like to live in the nature of southeast Alaska. 20 21
DESTINATION | ALASKA DESTINATION | ALASKA D A T E S & I T I N E R A R Y S A M P L E D A T E S & I T I N E R A R Y S A M P L E ITINERARY 1 DAY 1 DAY 7-8 Alaska Adventure Board at Petersburg, cruising Hike on through many eco- Frederick Sound, introduc- types and on spectacular west tion to Alaskan life, and coast beaches. Cruising the 2022 DATES 2023 DATES coastal rainforest on walk. west coast, sea otters, seabirds. Wilderness anchorage. Weather permitting, explore by zodiac at St. Lazaria, a spec- DATES/PRICES & SHIP: DATES/PRICES & SHIP: tacular island with thousands Swell Swell DAY 2-3 of nesting seabirds and rich intertidal life. Vistas of volcanic Jun 14-23, Petersburg to Jun 14-23, Petersburg to Cruising spectacular fjord Mt. Edgecumbe as it sweeps to tidewater glacier, ice- down toward the sea. Possible Sitka Sitka bergs, wildlife viewing. visit to hot springs. Jun 23-Jul 2, Sitka to Jun 23-Jul 2, Sitka to Option to zodiac, kayak and/ or walk, exploring glacier, Petersburg Petersburg icebergs in this awesome ice DAY 9 Jul 3-12, Petersburg to Jul 3-12, Petersburg to world. Humpback whales of Stephens Passage, Five Cruise to historic town of Sitka Ketchikan Ketchikan Fingers Lighthouse, Windfall and disembark for historic Harbour. Explore estuary and walking tour covering Tlingit, ITINERARY 2 DAY 1 DAY 5-8 $10850 CAD (cat. 1) $11400 CAD (cat. 1) look for brown bears. Russian and American history. $11850 CAD (cat. 2) $12450 CAD (cat. 2) Farewell dinner, hotel stay. Alaska Supervoyage Meet in Ketchikan, historic Cruising Frederick Sound, walking tour, including gold watching for whales. Visit sea $12350 CAD (cat. 3) $13000 CAD (cat. 3) rush history. Welcome dinner. lion haul out, small island DAY 4-6 2023 DATES DAY 10 2022 DATES beach walk. Visit Five Fingers Guided brown bear viewing Lighthouse. Beach walk at a DEPART/RETURN: DEPART/RETURN: and rainforest walk, at estuary Breakfast and free time to glacier’s terminal moraine. Petersburg, AK Petersburg, AK and forest site, at Pack Creek explore Sitka. DATES/PRICES & SHIP: DATES/PRICES & SHIP: DAY 2-3 Cruising spectacular fjord to Sitka, AK Sitka, AK on Admiralty Island (special access). Frederick Sound Swell Swell Breakfast at hotel, free time to explore, Tlingit history expe- tidewater glacier, icebergs, wildlife viewing. Exploring gla- Ketchikan, AK Ketchikan, AK marine mammals and islands. Jul 15-25, Ketchikan to Sitka Jul 15-25, Ketchikan to Sitka rience, board ship. Cruising cier, icebergs in this awesome Spectacular Baranof inlet and Clarence Strait. Visit remote, ice world. Guided brown bear meadow favoured by brown Aug 6-16, Ketchikan to Sitka Aug 6-16, Ketchikan to Sitka off-the-grid community of viewing and walk up salmon Note: Land-based tour in Sitka is at either the beginning or bears. Aug 17-27, Sitka to Meyer’s Chuck and rainforest creek at Pack Creek on Admi- Aug 17-27, Sitka to end of trip. walk ashore. South Etolin ralty Island, with special access Ketchikan Ketchikan wilderness exploration by for Swell guests. $12700 CAD (cat. 1) boat and ashore. Exploring $12450 CAD (cat. 1) intertidal life, islets, black $13550 CAD (cat. 2) $13850 CAD (cat. 2) bears. Cruising north. DAY 9-10 $14150 CAD (cat. 3) $14450 CAD (cat. 3) Cruising the waterfall coast of Baranof Island. Peril Strait to DAY 4 Kruzof Island and west coast DEPART/RETURN: DEPART/RETURN: Scenic Wrangell Narrows home of sea otters. Spectacular Ketchikan, AK Ketchikan, AK cruise, with a view of Alaskan inlet hike to west coast beach. Sitka, AK Sitka, AK water-based lifestyle. Visit Petersburg village. Frederick Sound to Cascade Creek. DAY 11 Note: Land-based tour (Ketchikan or Sitka) is at either the Rainforest and waterfall hike. beginning or end of trip. Cruise to Sitka, watching for wildlife. 22 23
DESTINATION | ALASKA D A T E S & I T I N E R A R Y S A M P L E A one-of-a-kind trip, designed for Canadian Geographic. Exclusive guiding by a local expert (TBA). Special additional cultural opportunities and an accomplished ambassador from the Royal Canadian Geographical Society are included in this trip. See insert for more detail. ITINERARY 3 DAY 1 Cruising spectacular fjord to Alaska Supervoyage Board in Sitka, watching for tidewater glacier, icebergs, wildlife viewing. Guided brown wildlife. Wilderness anchorage. with Canadian Geographic bear viewing and walk up salmon creek at Pack Creek on Admiralty Island, with special DAY 2-4 access for Swell guests. 2022 DATES 2023 DATES Cruising the waterfall coast DATES/PRICES & SHIP: DATES/PRICES & SHIP: of Baranof Island. Peril Strait to Kruzof Island and west DAY 9-10 Swell Swell coast home of sea otters. Visit remote, off-the-grid com- Spectacular inlet hike to west Jul 26-Aug 5 Jul 26-Aug 5 coast beach. Wildlife viewing. munity of Meyer’s Chuck and rainforest walk ashore. South “The crew were awesome. $13100 CAD (cat. 1) $13750 CAD (cat. 1) Evening lecture on the sacred $14300 CAD (cat. 2) $15000 CAD (cat. 2) waterways. Scenic Wrangell Narrows cruise, with a view Etolin wilderness exploration by boat and ashore. Explor- Friendly, lighthearted and ing intertidal life, islets, black $14900 CAD (cat. 3) $15650 CAD (cat. 3) of Alaskan water-based life- style. Visit Petersburg village. bears. Cruising Clarence Strait professional in their jobs.” Frederick Sound to Cascade watching for whales. Arrive in Creek. Rainforest and water- Ketchikan. Exclusive guided DEPART/RETURN: DEPART/RETURN: tour of Ketchikan, Tlingit - Sandra H. TripAdvisor, 2021 fall hike. Sitka, AK Sitka, AK history experience and special cultural opportunities. Celebra- Ketchikan, AK Ketchikan, AK tion dinner and night in lodge. DAY 5-8 Cruising Frederick Sound, watching for whales. Visit sea DAY 11 lion haul out, small island beach walk. Visit Five Fingers Breakfast at lodge and explore Lighthouse. Beach walk at a Ketchikan, historic walking glacier’s terminal moraine. tour, including gold rush history. 24 25
DESTINATION | GULF ISLANDS & SALISH SEA DESTINATION | GULF ISLANDS & SALISH SEA O V E R V I E W Mediterranean islands and Vancouver “We loved our time aboard the beautiful boat nature’s bounty in the Salish Sea Nanaimo and had amazing shore Some people who visit the Gulf Islands think they’ve stumbled into paradise. Galiano Is. adventures every day; tide Penelakut Is. This group of hundreds of semi-Mediterranean pooling, hiking, caving and islands in a protected sea has drawn people for mil- Cabbage & Prevost Is. exploring. The crew were lennia, with its green and gold slopes, blue ocean Salt Tumbo Is. Spring Saturna Is. and ring of snow-capped peaks. Is. outstanding and went out With 200+ islands and islets, some with “dry rain- Vancouver Sidney of their way to make our forests”, some with white shell beaches, some with Island Mandarte Is. colonies of animals, the options for exploring are trip special. We created many. travel memories that will The Gulf Islands offer a combination of unique last a lifetime right here at wilderness, eclectic communities, and deep human 20 km Victoria (First Nations) history. While you’ll visit some of home in our own beautiful the larger, well-known islands, you’ll also be guided country.” to little-known havens to which most people will never have access. (Ever heard of Cabbage Island? How about Mandarte, Prevost and Wallace?) - Canadiangal51 on TripAdvisor, 2019 Special Features » Island hopping in the calm Salish Sea, including off-the-beaten-track, natural islands and islets. » Beachcombing on a variety of beaches – white shell, sand, rocky. » Walks in forests, meadows and historic farmsteads. Flexible daily itinerary to make the most of ad-hoc opportunities. » Wildlife viewing (seabirds, sea lions, seals, possible porpoises and whales). » Historic site visits, from First Nations to Kanaka settlements, to modern outposts. » Cruising the scenic ‘back ways’ through the islands. 26 27
DESTINATION | GULF ISLANDS & SALISH SEA DESTINATION | GULF ISLANDS & SALISH SEA I T I N E R A R I E S D A T E S & I T I N E R A R Y S A M P L E SPRING AUTUMN Unique features: Spring blooms and Unique features: Autumn’s bounty in sunny sailing in the Salish Sea. picturesque islands Spring in the Gulf Islands Autumn in the Gulf Islands Salish Sea with Canadian Craft Beer Culinary Cruise Geographic Wines and Islands of British Columbia Wild Gulf Islands Culinary Cruise A one-of-a-kind trip, designed for Canadian Geographic. On this special trip with the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, you’ll explore a cross-boundary region gaining international attention. Naturalists and historians guide you, including a local elder. Past elders have been Florence James and Salilye. Exclusively on this trip the elder guides us for 5 days through millennia of history, connecting you to the names and stories these beautiful islands have always had, but that few people know. See insert for more detail. ITINERARY 1 DAY 1 DAY 4 ITINERARY 2 DAY 1 mammal viewing. Exploring ashore on Cabbage and Tumbo Spring or Autumn in the Gulf Islands Orientation, cruising. Seabird Visit the small, inner islands: Salish Sea with Meet in Victoria and board Islands, settler history, historic island visit, wildlife watching, Wallace Island for an idyllic your ship. Welcome recep- farmstead, beautiful beach. 2022 DATES 2023 DATES porpoises. Anchorage Saturna walk, Penelakut Island with Canadian Geographic tion, cruising to seabird is- Optional kayaking. Island. ancient First Nations histo- land for viewing and historic ry. Wildflower meadows or discussion, Russell Island and DATES/PRICES & SHIP: DATES/PRICES & SHIP: mushrooms and fall foliage 2022 DATES 2023 DATES shore walk with Salish and DAY 4 highlights (seasonal). Cruising Kanaka history, and natural Maple Leaf Maple Leaf DAY 2 to Russell Island. Optional history. First night dinner and DATES/PRICES & SHIP: DATES/PRICES & SHIP: Exploring Gulf Islands Nation- Morning hike on Satur- kayak. short lecture. al Park Reserve on the remote Apr 16-20, Apr 21-25 Apr 16-20, Apr 21-25 $2850 CAD na Island, forest ecology. Swell Swell south end of Saturna Island. $2600 CAD Spectacular views and picnic. Shore trip includes old farm- Cruising some of the most Apr 14-18 Apr 14-18 Oct 21-25 Oct 21-25 DAY 5 DAY 2 stead, spectacular vistas, forest productive waters of the ecology, and view of important $3700 CAD (cat. 1) $3900 CAD (cat. 1) $2800 CAD $3050 CAD southern islands. Anchorage Morning woodland shore walk. Cruising spectacular Samsun Boundary Pass and the site of (departs from Nanaimo) (departs from Nanaimo) and beachcombing, early Kanaka and Salish history. $4150 CAD (cat. 2) $4350 CAD (cat. 2) Narrows, with history of a dispute over the siting of the farm history exploration. Sea Cruising to Sidney. European/Canadian ex- Canadian border. Cruisingto Oct 26-31 Oct 26-31 lion and seabird haul out. $4750 CAD (cat. 3) $5000 CAD (cat. 3) ploration, and coastal First * Fall trip is one day longer, further remote sites in the Gulf Nations history. Shore trips at Islands National Park Reserve. $2800 CAD $3050 CAD Penelakut Island, Valdez Is- Evening presentation. DEPART AND RETURN: DEPART AND RETURN: lands, historic sites. Cruising DAY 3 Sidney, BC Sidney, BC Swell Swell Polier Pass, shore trip Galiano Island, historic site. Short Village visit, sailing in Apr 9-13 Apr 9-13 Georgia Strait and one of evening presentation. DAY 5 $3500 CAD (cat. 1) many channels in the area. Morning shore walk, option- $3300 CAD (cat. 1) Anchorage Prevost Island. al kayaking, wrap-up and $3700 CAD (cat. 2) $3900 CAD (cat. 2) Exploring the intertidal life DAY 3 cruising to Sidney, watching at low tide. Hike to view and for wildlife. $4150 CAD (cat. 3) $4350 CAD (cat. 3) mariner’s light. Exploring the outer islands on the edge of the ‘big sea’, DEPART AND RETURN: DEPART AND RETURN: Georgia Strait. Marine Sidney, BC Sidney, BC 28 29
DESTINATION | GULF ISLANDS & SALISH SEA DESTINATION | GULF ISLANDS & SALISH SEA D A T E S & I T I N E R A R Y S A M P L E D A T E S & I T I N E R A R Y S A M P L E ITINERARY 3 DAY 1 DAY 4 Craft Beer Culinary Cruise Welcome aboard. Introduc- Island cruising to outer Gulf tion to world of beers, brew- Islands. Wildlife viewing ing history. Private tasting at small chain of islands 2022 DATES 2023 DATES with micro-brewing “elder” that hosts birds and marine Paul Hadfield. Seabird colony mammals. Beachcombing and DATES/PRICES & SHIP: DATES/PRICES & SHIP: visit, cruising scenic Samsun historic farmstead exploration Narrows. Tasting dinner at Cabbage and Tumbo Islands Swell Swell aboard with social history of at midday. Afternoon walk to BC beer discussion. spectacular Monarch Head on Oct 26-30 Oct 26-30 Saturna Island with view of $3300 CAD (cat. 1) $3550 CAD (cat. 1) Canada/USA boundary and surrounding islands. $3700 CAD (cat. 2) $3950 CAD (cat. 2) DAY 2-3 $4250 CAD (cat. 3) $4550 CAD (cat. 3) Island hopping. Explore Rux- ton Island and local legend DAY 5 DEPART/RETURN: DEPART/RETURN: ashore in the morning. Cruise to Ladysmith and tasting Cruising and watching for Nanaimo, BC Nanaimo, BC lunch at Crow and Gate pub. wildlife en route to Sidney. Sidney, BC Sidney, BC Cruise to beautiful Montague ITINERARY 4 DAY 1 in the outer Gulf Islands. Harbour, Galiano Island or Scenic walk to spectacular Wallace Island for shore walk. Wines & Islands Board. Welcome aboard vista for picnic. Okanagan and Cruising north through the toast and tasting. Under way, Similkameen tasting dinner. Gulf Islands to Nanaimo / transiting scenic passageways Ladysmith area. Brewery 2022 DATES 2023 DATES in northern Gulf Islands. DAY 4 tour and tasting, guided by Introduction to BC wines, brewmaster. DATES/PRICES & SHIP: DATES/PRICES & SHIP: terroir and history, what Vancouver Island area wine makes the region noteworthy. focus, including visits with Cascadia Cascadia Late afternoon shore walk in leaders in Cowichan Valley & marine park. Tasting dinner Saanich wines, discussion, tast- Oct 25-29 Oct 25-29 that provides an overflight ings, tasting meals, vineyard $4600 CAD (cat. 1) $5000 CAD (cat. 1) of the wines and what we’ll walks. Vancouver Island wine explore in the coming days. last night dinner. $5400 CAD (cat. 2) $5900 CAD (cat. 2) DAY 2 DAY 5 $6150 CAD (cat. 3) $6750 CAD (cat. 3) Gulf Islands area wines Morning optional kayak feature. Morning shore trip at Burgoyne Bay. Wrap up, DEPART/RETURN: DEPART/RETURN: cruising, looking for wildlife en on DeCourcy Island and af- Sidney, BC Sidney, BC ternoon visits with winemak- route to Sidney. Final toast. ers producing exciting work on Salt Spring and Saturna Islands. DAY 3 Okanagan & Similkameen wines feature. Morning shore walk in Gulf Islands rainfor- est, and optional kayaking. Cruising Boundary Pass and Boiling Reef featuring rich marine upwelling. Explore historic farmstead at Tumbo 30 31
DESTINATION | DESOL ATION SOUND DESTINATION | DESOL ATION SOUND O V E R V I E W “An unbelievable experience Access a spectacular mountain with the most dedicated world through rural island water- and involved crew I’ve ever ways. experienced. Every day Sail beneath glaciated peaks, rainforested hillsides, Desolation and expansive waters that turn into secret coves you Sound was ‘magical’. The bar for will explore. Campbell my next adventure now is While Desolation Sound is one of the world’s most River popular cruising destinations, you will enjoy the high! A true way to tick off area in a unique way: without the bustle of other a bucket list item in such a boaters. By touring Desolation Sound and the Vancouver Discovery Islands in May, you’ll enjoy the fjords, successful way. Thanks so islands, wildlife, and forest trails in peace – as im- Island much to all the fabulous mortalized in the popular book The Curve of Time. Gulf 50 km Islands crew.” Sidney - Chuck C., 2017 Special Features » Beautiful vistas of one of BC’s most breathtaking fjords. » Hikes from the beach, along rivers and waterfalls to BC’s warmest lakes. » Visit one of BC’s most prolific bird sanctuaries (Mitlenatch Island). » Historical stories about early pioneers and home steaders told around the campfire » Natural foods foraging with your own private chef. » Other wildlife viewing, including seals, sea lions and possibly a spring bear. 32 33
DESTINATION | DESOL ATION SOUND DESTINATION | DESOL ATION SOUND D A T E S & I T I N E R A R Y S A M P L E D A T E S & I T I N E R A R Y S A M P L E ITINERARY 1 DAY 1 DAY 3-4 ITINERARY 2 DAY 1 for zodiac explore and bird- watching. Anchorage Desolation Sound & Discovery Islands Welcome aboard and cruise Sail or cruise into Toba Inlet. Desolation Sound and Board at Sidney, orientation, Cortez Island. to Cortez Island. Rainforest This spectacular fjord, 35 km cruising the Gulf Islands Na- walk with naturalist. Local long, cuts deep into the coast Salish Sea Supervoyage tional Park Reserve. Seabird, 2022 DATES 2023 DATES community visit. Welcome mountains. As you cruise the shore walk to spectacular DAY 5-6 dinner. snow-capped peaks tower views. DATES/PRICES & SHIP: DATES/PRICES & SHIP: above. Watch for seals and sea 2022 DATES 2023 DATES Cruising, anchorage and shore lions, seabirds, bear and other Maple Leaf Maple Leaf DAY 2 animals. Anchorage at Pride- DATES/PRICES & SHIP: DATES/PRICES & SHIP: DAY 2-4 trips in Desolation Sound such as spectacular Prideaux Haven, aux Haven, at the confluence of May 5-9 May 5-9 Cruise to spectacular Teak- Malaspina Inlet and Homfray Swell Swell Visit the beaches and old Teakerne Arm on West Re- donda Island and Desolation $2600 CAD $2850 CAD erne Arm, where a waterfall Channel. Cruise to the Cope- homestead at Cabbage and Sound marine park. land Islands. Apr 19- 25 Apr 19- 25 plunges down a steep cut Tumbo Islands, wildlife colo- beside the ship. Walk to a lake $4300 CAD (cat. 1) $4500 CAD (cat. 1) nies at the Belle Chain Islets. Swell Swell with a picnic lunch. Cruising $4750 CAD (cat. 2) $5000 CAD (cat. 2) Explore Galiano’s outer coast DAY 7 the scenic passages. Evening and cruising through Porlier Apr 27-May 1, Apr 27-May 1, shore trip. DAY 5 $5300 CAD (cat. 3) $5750 CAD (cat. 3) Pass, watching for seabirds Seabird colony visit. Cruise to May 2-6 May 2-6 Explore bird and sea lion col- in the nutrient-rich waters. Campbell River, watching for ony Mitlenatch Island by boat. Dodd Narrows and sailing wildlife including whales. $3250 CAD (cat. 1) $3400 CAD (cat. 1) Cruise to Campbell River. DEPART/RETURN: DEPART/RETURN: Georgia Strait. Shore trip and anchorage, Hornby Island. Set $3650 CAD (cat. 2) $3750 CAD (cat. 2) Sidney, BC Sidney, BC sail for Savary Island, cruising Note: The trip on Maple Leaf is $4150 CAD (cat. 3) $4350 CAD (cat. 3) Campbell River, BC Campbell River, BC to seabird haven Mitlenatch 2 days longer, along the same route. Cascadia Cascadia Apr 30-May 4 Apr 30-May 4 $4450 CAD (cat. 1) $4750 CAD (cat. 1) ITINERARY 3 DAY 1 Prideaux Haven and Desola- tion Sound Marine Park. $5250 CAD (cat. 2) $5600 CAD (cat. 2) Desolation Sound & Fjords of BC Welcome aboard and cruise $6000 CAD (cat. 3) $6400 CAD (cat. 3) to Blackfish Sound region, a congregation point for 2022 DATES 2023 DATES whales. Island anchorage and DAY 6 DEPART AND RETURN: DEPART AND RETURN: beach exploration. Welcome Visit the isolated Mitlenatch DATES/PRICES & SHIP: DATES/PRICES & SHIP: dinner. Campbell River, BC Campbell River, BC Island, a seabird colony, watch- Swell Swell ing for marine mammals, and exploring the northern Gulf Oct 19-25 (departs from Oct 19-26 (departs from DAY 2-5 Islands. Port McNeill) Port McNeill) Visit Alert Bay and U’mista $4300 CAD (cat. 1) $5650 CAD (cat. 1) Cultural Centre with private $4750 CAD (cat. 2) $6250 CAD (cat. 2) guided tour of Kwakwa- DAY 7 ka’wakw potlatch collection. $5300 CAD (cat. 3) $7000 CAD (cat. 3) Rainforest walk, then cruise Morning kayak, or explore to island anchorage dinner, ashore. Cruising to Nanaimo. Cascadia Cascadia keeping eyes and ears out for wildlife. Oct 17-23 Oct 17-24 Exploring the cascades and $5000 CAD (cat. 1) $6450 CAD (cat. 1) waterways Vancouver Island’s inside passage and Desola- $6050 CAD (cat. 2) $7800 CAD (cat. 2) tion Sound, visiting estuaries $7100 CAD (cat. 3) $8850 CAD (cat. 3) where bears fish for salmon, Toba Inlet (a fjord that cuts DEPART/RETURN: DEPART/RETURN: 35 km into the Coast Moun- tains), and marine parks like Port Hardy, BC Port Hardy, BC Nanaimo, BC Nanaimo, BC 34 35
DESTINATION | BROUGHTON ARCHIPELAGO DESTINATION | BROUGHTON ARCHIPELAGO O V E R V I E W “It was life changing. Not “Some nights I hear whales only the immersion into in my dreams. Some nights I the incredible wildlife and wake... and find it hasn’t been a dream at all.” – Alexandra beauty of the coast but Brought on Morton Archipel ago through the exposure to This is the “Serengeti of the sea”: rich in wildlife, the crew and the company home to a complex whale community, addictive cruising and ancient human cultures. It is the best ethics. Rarely in tourism place on earth to see killer whales and humpback are we lucky enough to find whales. It is rich in seabirds, porpoises and other ocean life. On forested islands and on the water, organisations whose values humans have also thrived for millennia and this trip are so clearly lived by.” will introduce you to the ancient and modern First Vancouver Island Nations culture. 20 km - LustyGlazeBeach. on TripAdvisor, 2020 Special Features » Watching and learning about whales and how they live, for hours in comfort, with our flexible itiner- ary and expert guides. » Visits to tiny coastal places such as the boardwalk community of Telegraph Cove, the historic Kwak- waka’wakw site at Village Island, and Alert Bay, a community that is home to the spectacular Kwak- waka’wakw cultural centre, U’mista. » Cruising intricate channels and island hopping, viewing seabirds and perhaps even a black bear swimming while under way » Rainforest walks and, time permitting, exploring the rich nature of a mainland inlet estuary. 36 37
DESTINATION | BROUGHTON ARCHIPELAGO D A T E S & I T I N E R A R Y S A M P L E SUMMER Unique features: Peak season for orcas (killer whales), island hopping and long summer days exploring. Whales & Totems of the Broughton Archipelago by Sail Whales & Totems (Family Friendly) ITINERARY 1 DAY 1 DAY 5 Whales & Totems of the Broughton Board the ship, orientation, Humpback whale viewing. sailing. Humpback whale & Shore walk and intertidal life Archipelago, Summer porpoise viewing. Optional viewing. Visit remote Echo Bay evening kayak. float house community and Billy Proctor’s Museum. 2022 DATES 2023 DATES DAY 2 DATES/PRICES & SHIP: DATES/PRICES & SHIP: DAY 6 Killer whale watching for Maple Leaf Maple Leaf hours. Lunch in the company Whale watching or dolphins, of whales. Afternoon forest cruising to Port McNeill. Summer: Summer: Aug 3-8 (family friendly) Aug 3-8 (family friendly) interpretive walk, intertidal life exploration. “It was spiritual, it was Aug 9-14 Aug 9-14 Note: inspirational, it was Family friendly trips welcome Aug 15-20 Aug 15-20 DAY 3-4 children age 5+ enlightening.” $3900 CAD $4200 CAD Village Island ancient Kwak- waka’wakw village site, per- sonal guided tour at U’mista - Daniele A, 2019 DEPART AND RETURN: DEPART AND RETURN: Cultural Centre, Alert Bay. Port McNeill, BC Port McNeill, BC Cruising mainland fjord, river estuary walk, search for bears. Optional kayak, zodiac ride. 38 39
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