Enquire About your Perfect Holiday
Whether you would like to book this exact holiday or to tailor-make it to better suit you, please contact one of our knowledgeable experts on:
Overview
Explore the Great Bear Rainforest aboard the custom designed 68’ motor-sailors, Island Roamer, Island Odyssey, or the new flagship vessel, Island Solitude.
The Great Bear Rainforest is one of the most beautiful natural places on the planet, where you will see both grizzly and black bears and, with luck and patience, you will also see the elusive, white Spirit bear. Watch humpback whales, visit a First Nation Indian village, and try kayaking in a coastal estuary. Your crew have years of experience along the coast. There is a dedicated naturalist to help guests understand the coastal ecology and conservation of this area.
Ask us for full details of dates and vessels.
Ships
The Island Roamer
A custom 68-foot ketch, launched in 1983. The boat’s design, safety and comfort make her perfect for these trips. She features 8 private cabins (double occupancy), 3 heads with hot showers, a large comfortable lounge with an extensive library, and a well-equipped galley. On deck, the large covered seating area provides protection in all types of weather. The Island Roamer is large enough for comfort, privacy and safety, and small enough to create a good rapport among passengers and crew.
The Island Odyssey
Joining the fleet in 2003, the 68′ ketch, The Island Odyssey is the sister-ship to ‘Island Roamer’. Originally built as a luxurious private yacht in 1984, she completed a major renovation in 2003 to update the cabins and all safety systems. She features 8 private cabins (double occupancy), 3 heads with hot showers and a comfortable salon with a natural history library. On deck, the large deckhouse provides a comfortable spot to watch for wildlife.
The Island Solitude
This new vessel carries the same number of guests – on average 12. The increase in amenities of this vessel includes 6 guest cabins with two side-by-side berths and private, ensuite bathrooms in each. The on deck wheelhouse is expanded so the entire group can share deliciously prepared meals together while enjoying incredible, 360 degree vews! Environmentally, the engines exceed EPA emission standards and the modern hull design was designed for improved sailing performance making it more efficient for travel whether motoring or under sail.
Frontier’s Personal Experience
“My trip on the Island Odyssey with Bluewater Adventures to the Great Bear Rainforest is one of the highlights of my travel life. As a non-swimmer and not feeling at my most comfortable on water, the staff, the ship and the experience were second to none, and this is a trip that I would do again in a heartbeat. If a small-ship cruise is not on your bucket list, then add this one.”
Jeremy Timms,
Frontier Canada
Itinerary (8 Nights)
Here’s a day-by-day guide to your itinerary. Feel free to ask us to add other days or ideas and excursions by contacting us directly, so we can give you the best price.
Day 1
Vancouver to Bella Bella
Fly from London to Vancouver and take a connecting flight to Bella Bella, where you...
Day 1
Vancouver
to Bella Bella
Fly from London to Vancouver and take a connecting flight to Bella Bella, where you will overnight ahead of boarding your Bluewater Adventures cruise the next morning.
Upon arriving at the Bella Bella Airport, collect your luggage outside and look for Star Shuttle driving a large white passenger van. They will be notified of your arrival and a driver will meet your flight to transport you either to the Municipal Dock for the water taxi to Denny Island or to your accommodation in Bella Bella. Please note that Star Shuttle requires a cash payment of CAD $15 per person at time of travel.
Once at the Municipal Dock proceed down the ramp to where you will catch your water taxi for the 10-minute crossing to the Shearwater Marine Resort if you are not staying in Bella Bella itself.
Note: some departures begin/end in Prince Rupert.
Day 2
Today you will be departing on your adventure; guests staying in Shearwater will meet the...
Day 2
Today you will be departing on your adventure; guests staying in Shearwater will meet the vessel and crew at the Shearwater Marine Resort Dock, and those staying in Bella Bella will meet the vessel and crew at the top of the Bella Bella Municipal Dock. Upon boarding the vessel, cabins will be assigned and following a brief introduction and safety orientation you will set sail for the Great Bear Rainforest where each night you will be anchored in a different, secluded anchorage.
On departing Bella Bella and approaching the waters of Milbanke Sound keep watch for sea otters; with the nuclear testing at Amchitka between 1968 and 1972, 89 sea otters were transplanted to Vancouver Island. Some found their way to the Central Coast and occasionally we spot them in the kelp beds wrapped in the fronds of kelp to anchor themselves against the currents.
Days 3-8
Over the coming days, you will travel to a number of areas around the Central...
Days 3-8
Over the coming days, you will travel to a number of areas around the Central Coast such as Campania Sound and Whale Channel – excellent areas for spotting humpback whales and Steller sea lions. You may go ashore in the Gitga’at (Princess Royal Island) Conservancy. You will cruise over to Bishop Bay to enjoy a relaxing dip in the hot springs and spend a day with a Gitga’at native guide, taking you to his favourite bear viewing area. With patience and some luck you will see black bears and the elusive, white Spirit Bear! You may visit the First Nations village of Klemtu or Hartley Bay to see their ceremonial Big Houses. You will voyage deep into the coastal mountains to explore the Fiordland Conservancy where, beneath towering rock bluffs and waterfalls, you will search remote estuaries to see grizzly bears feeding on spawning salmon.
You will spend each evening in different and remote anchorages with wonderful views. During your daily shore or small boat excursions, the onboard naturalist will help identify different coastal plants, animals, birds and marine life. Interested participants can help keep a species list for the trip. There will also be time to explore the protected waters using the stable sea-kayaks.
Day 9
On the final day, you will arrive in Kitimat around noon. Travel time to the...
Day 9
On the final day, you will arrive in Kitimat around noon. Travel time to the airport is approximately 1 hour. Bluewater Adventures will provide transportation for you and your luggage to the Terrace Airport for a mid/late-afternoon flight back to Vancouver and back to the UK. Alternatively, you can, of course decide to extend your time in Canada.
Frontier’s Personal Experience