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Vancouver Island’s Wild Side (Northwest) Cruise

Vancouver Island’s Wild Side (Northwest) Cruise

From CAD $8,190

Description

Explore Vancouver Island’s rugged and beautiful north coast.

Brooks Peninsula (a glacial refugium), Solander Island (home to puffins), Kyuquot Sound (including sea otters and the village of Kyuquot), lush inlets and sandy beaches, as well as a cruise around the northernmost tip (Cape Sutil) and on the protected eastern coast.

Wildlife includes otters, black bears, whales, sea lions, and seabirds.

This trip is for those who love to adventure beyond the norm. It explores a mostly un-roaded area. You’ll walk in the rainforest, beach-comb on the sand, boat into wild creeks that empty into the sea, and cruise around Brooks Peninsula, which juts out almost to the offshore continental shelf.

Seven miles off Brooks, the coastal world changes to the oceanic one, and on a fair day we might cruise to the shelf, where the ocean turns from green to blue, and wildlife goes to feed in the upwelling (albatross, puffins, fulmars, dolphins).

This trip takes place in the traditional territories of Kwakwaka’wakw and Nuu-chah-nulth peoples. We’ll explore indigenous culture and history with our friends from the village of Kyuquot, just a little bit north of Yuquot, or Friendly Cove, where in 1778 the English captain Cook was the first European to step onto what is now British Columbia.

Trip Name
Vancouver Island's Wild Side (Northwest) Cruise
Days
7
Overview
Vessel Type: Catamaran Passenger Capacity: 24 Length: 138 ft / 42 m Built/Refurbished: 2007/2018/2019 Cascadia is a go-anywhere, expedition style catamaran. She accommodates up to 24 guests in 12 luxurious cabins, with a crew of 10. She is unlike any other vessel offering expeditions on the British Columbia coast, having been built specifically for high-quality, boutique cruises. Light, spacious and comfortable, she is also capable of reaching the wildest, most naturally rich places on the coast. Her small size and guest numbers provide an authentic, human-scale experience that respects the carrying capacity of coastal inlets and communities. Ship And Accommodations Find comfort and solitude in your private cabin or enjoy time in any of the interior or outdoor lounges, or the “open” bridge. Cascadia’s large windows bring the outside in, and her separate dining area becomes a sophisticated “long table” event for meals. Her decks are wide and welcoming, with seating areas on different levels. Salon Large windows surround the salon making it a perfect place to look for whales while staying protected, chat with other guests while lounging on our comfortable sofas, or enjoy a beverage from the nearby bar. Dining Area Enjoy our chefs’ fine west-coast influenced creations while watching the sun go down. Sit and discuss your day’s adventure with your captain, afloat in a remote natural anchorage. Terrace Lounge And Dining Area Dine alfresco on temperate evenings, lounge with your morning coffee, or watch the world go by during the day. This area is the perfect mix of outside and inside. Bridge of Cascadia Cascadia’s bridge is open to you. You’ll have 180-degree views from here, along with being able to learn about navigation and the vessel systems from our crew. On the port side, you may also enjoy our indoor-outdoor loveseat. You can watch the world go by from behind a protective window, but still have quick access to the fresh air and the deck for whale watching. Top Deck & Hot Tub Lounge on a chaise, soak under the stars, or enjoy the bird’s eye view of the ship and the world around her from Cascadia’s new top deck. Cabins All cabins have individual climate control, wardrobes and an outside location, with windows for natural light. All have ensuites. All are ‘outside’ cabins, with windows for natural light.  Kayaks, Shore Boats, Naturalist Tools Cascadia has 6 double and 2 single kayaks for paddling in coves and bays, as well as two beautiful landing craft style tenders, custom designed for our program. She carries a suite of tools for exploring the natural world, including a hydrophone for listening to whales. Her library contains books on the cultural history and nature of the BC and Alaska coast.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 Port Hardy
Welcome aboard, orientation, exploring “hanging rainforest gardens” or abundant intertidal life onshore. Optional evening kayak, Quatsino Sound. Cruising to Klaskish and East Creek. Bear viewing, shore walk in East Creek meadow and along river.
Day 2 - Day 2 Brooks Peninsula
Cruising around the wild Brooks Peninsula. Weather permitting, cruising the continental shelf region, where seabirds (albatross, puffins) and marine mammals forage. Wildlife viewing. Solander Island (from the water), an ecological reserve for puffins. Anchorage and remote beach exploration.
Day 3 - Day 3 Cruising
Rainforest and beach walks. Optional morning kayak. Anchorage in Nesparti Inlet. Exploring beautiful Nesparti Inlet by boat and on land.
Day 4 - Day 4 Kyuquot Sound
Kyuquot Sound exploration, sea otter viewing, traditional indigenous salmon bake around campfire with gourmet dinner.
Day 5 - Day 5 Rugged Point
Exploration of offshore group of islands and Rugged Point with sandy beaches and salal-rich headlands. Cultural site visit. Heading north around Brooks Peninsula. Evening anchorage in Vancouver Island inlet, and exploring ashore. Possible black bear viewing, creek and meadow exploration.
Day 6 - Day 6 Cape Scott
Cruising and exploring the Cape Scott area, rounding Vancouver Island’s northern tip. Bear viewing.
Day 7 - Day 7 Port Hardy
Whale watching on Vancouver Island’s northeast side, and cruising to Port Hardy.
Day 8 - Please Note:
Trips are either this route or the exact reverse. For either trip, you fly into / fly out of Port Hardy. If the trip starts in Coal Harbour, this is the itinerary. If the trip starts in Port Hardy, the itinerary is the reverse direction of this one.Note that as with all expedition cruises, the itinerary may change based on weather, wildlife activity, and interests of the guests. This itinerary is to give you a general idea of the trip.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
11-07-202417-07-2024CAD $8,190Category 1
11-07-202417-07-2024CAD $9,640Category 2
11-07-202417-07-2024CAD $10,980Category 3

Inclusions

    • Untamed North Coast: Embark on an adventure along Vancouver Island's rugged and untouched north coast. Explore remote areas like Brooks Peninsula, Solander Island, and Kyuquot Sound, offering a pristine wilderness experience.
    • Diverse Wildlife: Encounter a wide array of wildlife, from playful sea otters and black bears to majestic whales, sea lions, and a variety of seabirds, making it a nature lover's paradise.
    • Cultural Immersion: Immerse yourself in indigenous culture and history by engaging with the Kwakwaka'wakw and Nuu-chah-nulth peoples. Learn about the region's rich heritage, including a visit to Friendly Cove, where Captain Cook made his historic landing in 1778.

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