The setting for this eco-adventure is the remote coastal wilderness that encompasses Johnstone Strait, a deep and narrow glacier-carved passage between the east coast of Vancouver Island and the BC mainland. In this area the waters are sheltered and the marine life is plentiful.
We'll stay at Alert Bay Lodge, once the United Church for Cormorant Island, and now a rustic guesthouse that overlooks Johnstone Strait. Orcas can often be viewed from the sundeck of the Lodge. From here, we go whale watching on one day and Grizzly bear watching the next.
On a la carte tours our guests simply call ahead to reserve a space and ask us to book their activities. You must find your own way to Alert Bay or purchase one of our transportation packages. There is no minimum number of guests; you can come on your own, with a friend or your family. If you so desire, you may stay on at Alert Bay Lodge for a fourth night, or longer, but please reserve ahead.
Day 1. Alert Bay, B.C. Arrival in Alert Bay at Alert Bay Lodge. Check in and relax or take in the local scenery. We'll recommend several restaurants for your dinner in Alert Bay this evening.
Day 2. Alert Bay, B.C. Heading into Johnstone Straight on a sailboat we "sail with the whales." Johnstone Strait is home to the largest population of Orcas in the world. Other marine life spotting opportunities include Minke whales, Dall's Porpoises, Harbour Porpoises, Pacific White Sided Dolphins, sea lions and otters and over 150 different species of birds. Along the shore, black bear, deer cougar may be spotted.
In the afternoon, after whale watching, you'll have the option to go for a walk through in the Ecological Gardens and the adjacent Big Tree Trail, stroll through the colourful Village of Alert Bay, visit the U'mista Cultural Centre, the carving studio, the 'Namgis Burial Grounds and the world's tallest totem pole.
Meals Included: Hot breakfast at Alert Bay Lodge.
Day 3. Alert Bay, B.C. Your Grizzly bear marine tour arrives in Alert Bay early in the morning to pick you up for a full day on the water. Becoming famous for its population of Grizzly bears, Knight Inlet is surrounded by snow-capped mountains, steep-sided, forested cliffs and active marine life.
Glendale Cove is our destination on this adventure where we drift, paddle and motor quietly around an estuary, looking to spot grizzly bears as they feed on the sedges and grasses at high tide. Low tide brings more bears out, and we may see them turn over large boulders in their search for crabs, isopods and beach barnacles. By the end of August, the bears start pursuing the salmon upstream and we move from our boat to on shore blinds to enhance our Grizzly bear viewing prospects. In the evening we can enjoy the sites and sounds of Alert Bay.
Meals Included: Hot breakfast at Alert Bay Lodge and lunch on the bear watching tour.
Day 4. Return to Vancouver or Victoria, B.C. After breakfast we'll call your taxi and get you on the right ferry to Port McNeill to make your land or flight connection.
Meals Included: Hot breakfast at Alert Bay Lodge.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Included:
-accommodation for 3 nights at the Alert Bay Lodge
-half day whale watching in Johnstone Strait
-full day of grizzly bear viewing at Knight Inlet
-three hot breakfasts and one lunch.
Not Included:
-transportation to Alert Bay.
-optional activities, gratuities, and 6% GST.
Air and coach transportation packages from Vancouver/Victoria to Alert Bay are available for an extra cost - please see us.
Also see tour packages in:
Canada
British Columbia
Wildlife Viewing
Ecotourism
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