This version includes air from Vancouver on Day 1 and a coach to Victoria on Day 5.
Tour Summary
Explore pristine waters and wilderness areas to see Orcas ("killer whales") and grizzlies off the northeast coast of Vancouver Island, Canada. This self-guided tour is designed to provide you with authentic wildlife and cultural experiences while staying on a remote island in the Northern Gulf Islands. You'll be treated with a high level of service at the four room inn and will also be afforded time to explore the colourful village that is Alert Bay.
The setting for this eco-adventure off Vancouver Island is the remote coastal wilderness that encompasses Johnstone Strait, a deep and narrow glacier-carved passage between the east coast of the Island and the BC mainland. This area sports sheltered waters and plentiful land and marine life, including the largest population of orcas in western North America. At the end of the Strait lies Knight Inlet, home to a thriving population of grizzly bears. During the course of your three full days on Cormorant Island, one day will be occupied by whale watching and another day will focus on grizzly bear viewing. We've set aside a third day to explore the Village of Alert Bay (pop. 1,200), one of the few remaining authentic coastal communities on the west coast of British Columbia.
Overlooking Johnstone Strait, the log lodge offers panoramic views of sunsets, mountains, local marine traffic and sometimes pods of orcas. From the lodge, Alert Bay Village is two kilometers along the ocean-front road. On the way, you'll pass the 'Namgis Burial Grounds. From the Village the U'Mista Cultural Centre, Big Tree Trail and Ecological Gardens are short walks away.
Please note:
- Once you book, we provide you with comprehensive pre departure information.
- In order to obtain the price quoted, we recommend booking at least 90 days in advance. Otherwise, additional charges for higher air and coach costs may apply.
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- Orcas are classified as either transient or resident. The resident whales return to the Johnstone Straight area in late June and stay in the area to feed all summer long. This is the best time to see Orcas.
- May 15 to June 20 we offer a wildlife viewing tour where our focus will be more on the local wildlife in the area such as humpback whales, bald eagles, dolphins, Stellar seal lions, Harbour seals, and migrating birds . Transient Orcas can bee seen in the area as they hunt for seals and dolphins, but they have a very large range and can be stealthy hunters and hence, a bit more illusive. We offer a 10% discount on all tours booked from May 15 to June 20 when the Orcas sightings are a bit more scarce.
- Duration
- 5 days, 4 nights
- Departs
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Vancouver, BC
- Arrives
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Victoria, BC
- Activity Level
- Very Easy
- Max Group Size
- Singles, couples and families welcome
- Accommodation
- 4 nights accommodation, bed and breakfast style.
- Transport
- By commercial flight to Port Hardy, taxi to Port Mcneill and then by coastal ferry to Alert Bay. Grizzly bear viewing and whale watching by motor boat. The return leg to Victoria includes a public coach.
- Meals
- Three breakfasts, one lunch and one dinner.
- Activity Notes
- This is a sightseeing tour. Restrictions on our wildlife excursions include those 8 years of age or younger and women in their final tri-semester.
Included
This Vancouver Island Wildlife Tour includes:
- Accommodation for 4 nights in Alert Bay
- Meals: 3 breakfasts, 1 lunch and1 dinner.
- Transfers:
- Flight from Vancouver International Airport to Port Hardy Airport
- Taxi transfer from Port Hardy Airport to Port McNeill
- Taxi transfer from Alert Bay Ferry terminal to Alert Bay Lodge
- Taxi transfer from Alert Bay Lodge to Alert Bay Ferry Terminal
- Water taxi transfer from Telegraph Cove to Alert Bay
- Taxi transfer from Alert Bay Lodge to meet Grizzly Bear Tour
- Taxi transfer from Alert Bay Lodge to Alert Bay Ferry Terminal
- Transfer from Port McNeill Ferry Terminal to restauarant
- Bus from Port McNeill to Victoria
- Full day excursion to Telegraph Cove including 3.5-hour wildlife and orca/whalewatching marine tour
- 9-hour grizzly bear viewing marine tour
- Admission ticket to U’Mista Cultural Centre
Not Included
- Single supplement of $380
- Meals unless otherwise stated
- Transfer to Vancouver International Airport
- Taxi to the U’Mista Cultural Centre (about 2.5 kilometers from the lodge)
- Activities or equipment rentals unless otherwise stated
- Return ferry passage to Alert Bay from Port McNeill ($9.00)
- Alcoholic beverages
- Gratuities
- 5% GST
Optional Activities
- Native Dancing at the Big House, Thursday to Sunday during July and August ($15 per person)
- Deep sea fishing (about $100 per hour)
Orcas & Grizzlies Wildlife Tour #3 Itinerary
Day 1. Alert Bay, B.C. After making your way to Vancouver International Airport, head to the South Terminal and check in at Pacific Coastal Air for your flight. Your 70 minute flight crosses Vancouver Island’s Inside Passage and lands at Port Hardy, near the Island’s north tip. At Port Hardy Airport, a taxi will be waiting to escort you to Port McNeill. Here you’ll board a coastal ferry for a 35 minute voyage to Alert Bay on Cormorant Island. Once in Alert Bay, you can catch a taxi (about $5) at the ferry terminal for a 2 kilometer drive down the ocean road to Alert Bay Lodge. You can also call the lodge from the ferry and the manager will try to get away to pick you up. Please advise the manager what time you would like to take dinner at the lodge.
Accommodation: Alert Bay Lodge
Meals: Dinner
Day 2. Alert Bay, B.C. Today is yours at leisure to explore the village of Alert Bay. After breakfast, the lodge manager will provide you with a map highlighting popular attractions on the 5 km long Cormorant Island and tickets to U’Mista Cultural Centre. The village can easily be reached by foot from the lodge. You may choose to visit the Alert Bay Tourism Information Centre, shops and galleries featuring native art. Experience the wonder of the U’Mista Cultural Centre with its examples of historic and contemporary artwork, including a First Nations reclaimed potlatch collection. Should time allow, marvel at First Nations dancing at the Big House, or tour the Ecological Gardens and Big Tree Trail - a series of easy walking trails located at the top of the island approximately 2 km from the Village.
Accommodation: Alert Bay Lodge
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3. Alert Bay, B.C. Today we explore Johnstone Strait the Broughton Archipelago for whales and dolphins, areas home to some of the most spectacular marine wildlife viewing in Canada. On this excursion, you’ll also be able to explore the village of Telegraph Cove, once the northern terminus for the telegraph line from Campbell River and now a launch point for eco-tourism.
The day begins with a taxi to the Alert Bay ferry terminal, a ferry ride to Port McNeill and a 45 minute scenic taxi ride to Telegraph Cove. Once there you can stroll around the village, visit the Whale Museum and take lunch. You whale tour begins at 1:00 pm when you jump on board a 62-foot, 74-person semi-covered express cruiser.
The most celebrated are 260 orcas known as the “Northern Residents” who are often in pursuit of salmon, their main food source. These mammals who are actually part of the dolphin family, return each spring in time for the salmon runs. Orcas known as “Transients” are genetically unique from Northern Residents do not mate with one another. They are mammal hunters and are excellent predators of seals, porpoises, sea lions, dolphins and even other species of whales. Other marine life includes humpback and minke whales as well as other marine life such as Dahl porpoises, harbour porpoises, Pacific white-sided dolphins and sea lions.
Accommodation: Four Room Ocean View Inn
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4. Alert Bay, BC. We depart at 6:45 am from Alert Bay for a full day on the water to seek out grizzly bears in their natural habitat. Our destination is Knight Inlet, a two hour ride by covered boat into Johnstone Strait. Becoming famous for its population of Grizzly bears, Knight Inlet a long and deep glacier-carved fjord surrounded by snow-capped mountains and steep-sided, forested cliffs.
Here 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. On some tides we transfer to our flat bottomed skiff to get into the shallows. Please bring your binoculars and camera! Lunch is included.
Accommodation: Alert Bay Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 5. Alert Bay, BC. An early start this morning to catch the 6:35 am ferry to Port McNeill. A taxi will be waiting to escort you to a restaurant in Port McNeill where you can enjoy a leisurely breakfast. After breakfast you can leave your luggage at the restaurant and stretch your legs along the waterfront path. Your bus will arrive by 9:15 am.
Bus wil stop in Campbell River for lunch and a chance to stretch your legs. Bus arrives into Victoria at approximately 5:00 pm
Accommodation: N/A
Meals: Breakfast
The order of activities on Day 2, 3 and 4 may vary due to weather conditions and logistics with our tour operators, Once you book, we provide you with comprehensive pre-departure information. Click here for an excerpt.
Travel Links
Accommodation
Here's a few of our client's favourite hotels in Vancouver:
Budget accommodation can be found at YWCA Hotel
This property offers 5% off on all rooms for your pre and post accommodation if you reference Midnight Sun Travel in an email to hotel@ywcavan.org.
In Victoria we recommend:
Transportation
Weather
Port Hardy (near Alert Bay)
Parks and Information
