British Columbia Orcas & Grizzlies Sailing

Our Orcas & Grizzlies sailing tour starts and finishes in Port McNeill, BC. Meet your crew & vessel late morning in Port McNeill. Upon boarding, cabins will be assigned and an introductory safety briefing will be completed. We will then escape civilization into a maze of islands and waterways featuring old growth forests, rugged archipelagos, cozy anchorages, and amazing wildlife.

Our focus these days will be on the waters of Johnstone Strait, Blackfish Sound, and Queen Charlotte Strait where we hope to encounter whales. Two species of Orca can be spotted in these waters: Northern Resident Orca and Bigg’s (transient) Orca. In addition, keep watch for the blows of humpback whales whose population has made a significant comeback to these waters.We will visit the modern Kwakwaka’wakw community of Alert Bay to visit the U’Mista Cultural Centre. A highlight of their display is the impressive Potlatch Collection featuring masks and regalia which were confiscated by the Canadian government in 1921. The Kwakwaka’wakw people fought for decades for the return of these sacred items. Thanks to their efforts, these important items now help us learn about the art, culture, and history of the Kwakwaka’wakw people.

We will spend time navigating the labyrinth of undeveloped islands of Broughton Archipelago Marine Provincial Park. Exploring within these multitude of islands, we can search for different species of marine mammals, observe a variety of sea bird species, and visit remote beaches.

As we travel deeper into the coastal fjords surrounded by the snow-capped peaks of the Coast Mountains we enter an important habitat for grizzly bears and black bears. Starting in August, salmon return to spawn and this essential source of food concentrates bears in estuaries and along the rivers in the best places to fish.

Mid morning we return to Port McNeill to complete our voyage. Participants can catch afternoon flights back to Vancouver.