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Exploring British Columbia and the San Juan Islands

Exploring British Columbia and the San Juan Islands

From $5,870 AUD

Description

Discover the powerful wilderness and warm charm of the Pacific Northwest over a wide-ranging week in the San Juan Islands and British Columbia. You’ll venture to spectacular, remote islands and sail through channels that teem with sea life, plus you’ll visit charming towns and First Nations heritage sites. This National Geographic Sea Bird voyage sails one-way between Seattle and Vancouver allowing ample time to venture far north into Alert Bay, including Victoria and the Robert Bateman Centre, with remote stops in the San Juan and Gulf Islands, and deep in the fjords of British Columbia.

Discover the Wildness of the San Juans & British Columbia
Sail among the more remote San Juan Islands in places ideal for kayaking, exploring by expedition landing craft, and hiking where seals, sea lions, river otters, bald eagles, and killer whales are often seen. Venture to the Gulf Islands, a rich archipelago in the Strait of Georgia, perfect for active exploration and rich in wildlife. Go through Desolation Sound, on the north end of British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast, a mecca for kayakers with its calm, sheltered waters and outstanding natural beauty. Explore its isolated bays and islets by kayak and then hike its meadows and lush green forest trails.

First Nation Cultures of the Region
In Alert Bay you’ll make your way to the U’Mista Cultural Center, home to a stunning collection of potlatch masks created by the Kwakwaka’wakw peoples. In the Big House see the Tsasala Cultural Group bring the stories of their people to life through a powerful dance ceremony.

Visit charming towns & museums
Enjoy a guided tour of Friday Harbor’s Whale Museum, with its fascinating collection of artifacts, artwork, and whale skeletons. Or choose to walk the picturesque town’s streets, mixing with locals in the art galleries, coffee shops, or pubs. And in Victoria, there’ll be a chance to tour private gardens, take a bike ride and call at the Robert Bateman Centre to take in the definitive collection of his incredible natural history artwork.

Travel in excellent company
Explore under the sure guidance of an expedition leader, a historian, a geologist/naturalist, plus a National Geographic certified photo instructor and a wellness specialist. Their knowledge and passion for British Columbia & the San Juan Islands is the key to your once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Trip Name
Exploring British Columbia and the San Juan Islands
Days
8
Overview
Vessel Type: Comfortable Expedition Length: 52 metres Passenger Capacity: 62 (in twin cabins) Built: 1982 / Refurbished 2015 Twin Expedition ships, National Geographic Sea Bird & Sea Lion, can reach places inaccessible to larger ships due to their small size, yet each can comfortably accommodate 62 guests. The feeling, is often compared to that of a large private yacht, with everyone integral to the adventure. Accessibility means freedom. Our captains have decades of sailing experience in the regions we explore. They know when and where to navigate so that you feel the places we visit are all ours. Full interior renovations have been completed on these twin 62-guest ships, National Geographic Sea Lion and National Geographic Sea Bird. The extensive renovation to guest cabins, the lounge and bar, dining room, public areas and spa has transformed the ships to provide the ultimate in expedition hospitality and comfort. Nothing has been left untouched, from the sleekly framed wall photos, to the fresh paint, and new carpets throughout the ships. - The lounge and bar have been completely redesigned and reconfigured to provide an open, enhanced environment with additional seating and better flow. The modern design features new tables and chairs, upholstery of settees, overhead ceiling panels, and LED dimmable lighting. The lounge also hosts a new food & beverage area, library, and Global Market. - The dining room’s upgrade features all new tables, chairs, ceiling panels, and LED dimmable lighting. The wine bar has been replaced and features a display showcasing selections from the regions explored. - Every cabin has been completely redone and all furnishings have been replaced. Modern aged cherry bed boxes, faux leather headboards, Lindblad signature bed linens, new windows, lighting, and additional USB outlets provide a dramatic makeover for a relaxing guest experience. Bathrooms now feature new shower doors and all new hardware. - Exterior renovations include new deck furniture and outdoor awning.

Itinerary



Day 1 - DAY 1: Seattle/Embark
Arrive in Seattle and transfer to National Geographic Sea Bird to begin your expedition.
Day 2 - DAY 2: Exploring the San Juan Islands
Today we’ll visit the more remote of the San Juan Islands, an archipelago in northern Washington State perfect for kayaking, exploring by expedition landing craft, and hiking. Search for seals, sea lions, river otters, bald eagles, and other marine mammals.
Day 3 - DAY 3: Friday Harbor
Explore Friday Harbor, a picturesque town on San Juan Island. Visit the Whale Museum, with its fascinating collection of artifacts, artwork, and whale skeletons. Stop in at small shops and galleries. Later, we’ll search for killer whales on our way to British Columbia.
Day 4 - DAY 4: Victoria, British Columbia
Clear into Canada in the charming city of Victoria and choose from several tailor-made options to explore based on your interests. Visit private gardens, bike along the waterfront, eat like a local on a culinary walk through Old Town or peruse the collections at local art galleries. In the evening, enjoy a private wine tasting and reception at the Robert Bateman Centre while taking in the incredible collection of paintings.
Day 5 - DAY 5: Exploring Gulf Islands
Wake this morning among the Gulf Islands, a rich archipelago in the Strait of Georgia, and a yachter’s paradise. We’ll take our pick of perfect spots to kayak, hike, and search for wildlife.
Day 6 - DAY 6: Johnstone Strait/Alert Bay
Sail through Johnstone Strait, one of the foremost viewing areas for killer whales in the northern hemisphere. In the afternoon, we’ll land in Alert Bay and make our way to the U'Mista Cultural Centre, home to a stunning collection of potlatch masks created by the Kwakwaka'wakw peoples. We’ll then walk or ride to the Big House, just a short distance away where the Tsasala Cultural Group puts on a dance and the performers explain the story of the dance movements.
Day 7 - DAY 7: Desolation Sound
Desolation Sound, on the north end of British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast, is a mecca for kayakers and small yachts. It’s easy to understand why, with its calm, sheltered waters and outstanding natural beauty. By kayak there are many isolated bays to poke into and islets that beckon for exploration. On land there are meadows and forest trails for hiking. Tonight, enjoy Captain’s Farewell dinner.
Day 8 - DAY 8: Vancouver
Vancouver is British Columbia’s largest city and the major port for all of western Canada. It lies in a stunning setting, surrounded almost completely by water, with snowcapped mountains rising vertically from its very backyard. After breakfast, disembark the ship for connecting flights home.
Day 9 - Please Note:
All day-by-day breakdowns are a sampling of the places we intend to visit, conditions permitting.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
15-09-201822-09-2018AUD$5,870Category 1
15-09-201822-09-2018AUD$10,120Category 2 Single
15-09-201822-09-2018AUD$8,800Category 1 Single
15-09-201822-09-2018AUD$6,740Category 2
15-09-201822-09-2018AUD$8,370Category 3
22-09-201829-09-2018AUD$8,370Category 3
22-09-201829-09-2018AUD$6,740Category 2
22-09-201829-09-2018AUD$8,800Category 1 Single
22-09-201829-09-2018AUD$10,120Category 2 Single
22-09-201829-09-2018AUD$5,870Category 1
29-09-201806-10-2018AUD$8,370Category 3
29-09-201806-10-2018AUD$6,740Category 2
29-09-201806-10-2018AUD$8,800Category 1 Single
29-09-201806-10-2018AUD$10,120Category 2 Single
29-09-201806-10-2018AUD$5,870Category 1
06-10-201813-10-2018AUD$8,370Category 3
06-10-201813-10-2018AUD$6,740Category 2
06-10-201813-10-2018AUD$8,800Category 1 Single
06-10-201813-10-2018AUD$10,120Category 2 Single
06-10-201813-10-2018AUD$5,870Category 1
13-10-201820-10-2018AUD$8,370Category 3
13-10-201820-10-2018AUD$6,740Category 2
13-10-201820-10-2018AUD$8,800Category 1 Single
13-10-201820-10-2018AUD$10,120Category 2 Single
13-10-201820-10-2018AUD$5,870Category 1
20-10-201827-10-2018AUD$8,370Category 3
20-10-201827-10-2018AUD$6,740Category 2
20-10-201827-10-2018AUD$8,800Category 1 Single
20-10-201827-10-2018AUD$10,120Category 2 Single
20-10-201827-10-2018AUD$5,870Category 1

Inclusions

    • Kayak, hike, and expedition landing craft cruise the wildlife-rich coasts of Desolation Sound and the Gulf Islands
    • Learn the histories of First Nations people through their art and powerful dance performances
    • Search for killer whales in the region where they’re most reliably found in the Northern Hemisphere
    • Enjoy a private evening event at the Robert Bateman Centre in Victoria

Map