Great Bear Forest aboard Cascadia

Catamaran cruise to the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest

The great salmon run sees a variety of bears feasting

Grizzly bear takes a dip | Simon Ager

The comfortable catamaran Cascadia

Photographic opportunities abound

A pair of young grizzly cubs playing

A humpback breaches | Phillip Stone

A coastal wolf, British Columbia

The salmon run, Great Bear Rainforest

The great salmon run sees a variety of bears feasting

Grizzly bear takes a dip | Simon Ager

The comfortable catamaran Cascadia

Photographic opportunities abound

A pair of young grizzly cubs playing

A humpback breaches | Phillip Stone

A coastal wolf, British Columbia

The salmon run, Great Bear Rainforest

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8 Days$9990USD

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Activities

Wilderness cruising, hiking & optional kayaking

Accommodation

7 nights aboard Cascadia

Meals

7 Dinners
6 Lunches
7 Breakfasts

Discovery and Cruising

Overview
Itinerary
Map
Thoughtful Travel
Inclusions
Accommodation
Cabins
Bike Information
Trail Surface
About your leader
Departure dates
Book now
Essential information
Trip reviews
Related articles
Videos
Similar trips
Suggested extensions

Trip highlights

Search for the rare Kermode (Spirit) Bear
Observe grizzly bears in their natural habitat
Walk in protected, unlogged and ancient rainforests and wildflower meadows.
Visit villages, meet locals, and see ancient art traditions still in place today.
Sail fjords where 4,000-foot cliffs rise and dwarf you
Keep watch for a variety of whale species & coastal wolves

Explore the wild and remote regions of the central coast of British Columbia on a Great Bear Rainforest trip in the Autumn. The fall months bring the return of the salmon and with it a feeding frenzy to be witnessed. Whales, marine mammals, marine birds, bears and more all gather in this region to feast on the bountiful salmon that have returned to spawn in the rivers. Witness the rare spirit bear at a salmon stream or see a mother grizzly teach her cub how to catch a salmon in a major river estuary. Great Bear Rainforest trips set out to explore fjordlands, remote islands, river estuaries, and west coast beaches. Get to know the intricate and complex temperate rainforest and the species that thrive here, with expert guides and an informative naturalist whose knowledge of the natural history will be shared with you.

Itinerary

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Day 1
Join Kitimat and embark Cascadia

On arrival in Terrace airport you will be met and transferred to Kitimat where we embark the Cascadia. Welcome aboard in Haisla territory, cruising to evening anchorage, watching for whales. Evening rainforest walk before dinner.

Meals: D

Day 2
Cruising Hennaksiala territory

Crossing into Hennaksiala territory, with traditions and stories of our mentor, Killer Whale Clan elder Wa’xaid (Cecil Paul). Cruising down a spectacular fjord, where granite mountains rise from thousands of feet below the sea. Viewing waterfalls and possible mountain goats. Exploring estuary meadows, where grizzly bears spend their days in the autumn. Optional evening kayaking.

Meals: B,L,D

Day 3
Cruise Great Bear’s island channels

Grizzly bear viewing among the fjords. Learning the Indigenous history and stories of special sites in the region. Cruising the Great Bear’s island channels.

Meals: B,L,D

Day 4
Search for spirit bear

Visit the island known as the epicentre of spirit bears with our Gitga’at friends and guides. Full day at viewing site for the best opportunity to view a spirit bear.

Meals: B,L,D

Day 5
In search of whales

Morning shore exploration in estuary. Cruising Whale Channel region, a critical habitat for several species of whales. Marine mammal viewing. Visit whale researchers at remote station. Island anchorage.

Meals: B,L,D

Day 6
Outer islands of Great Bear rainforest

Visit the Great Bear Rainforest’s wild outer islands and beaches, with hike to views. Kayaking, possible wolf sighting. Cruising to and exploring archipelago of tiny islands, some areas so wild they’re not yet charted. Seabird viewing.

Meals: B,L,D

Day 7
Spirit Bear Island

Cruising inner channels. Rainforest shore trip. Visit natural hot springs for a soak. Last night dinner in natural anchorage.

Meals: B,L,D

Day 8
Disembark in Kitimat where trip concludes

Cruising to port in Kitimat, watching for wildlife. On arrival a transfer to Terrace airport will be available.

Meals: B

Inclusions

What's included

7 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 7 dinners
Fine wines featured with the evening meal, and a limited amount of craft beer
Comfortable cabin accommodation and use of all public areas on cruise
Transfers to and from the hotel/airport to the ship in Kitimat
Specialist expedition staff
All shore excursions from the ship including the use of landing tenders
Use of gear on board, including rubber boots, kayaks and fishing gear (for guests with a recreational fishing license)
Port taxes and port charges imposed by government authorities
All entry fees to National Parks

What's not included

Transportation to and from Kitimat
International or domestic flights to the start and end point
Passport, visa and vaccination charges, reciprocity fees and or airport departure taxes
Laundry, postage, personal clothing, medical expenses, travel insurance and items of a personal nature such as bar charges, wine and phone calls.
Emergency evacuation charges
Travel Insurance
Customary end of voyage tips
Sustainability Fee (Mandatory)
5% Canadian GST (Mandatory)
Fishing licenses are not included and must be acquired by guests wanting to fish prior to their trip.

Cabins

Cascadia

Category 3 cabins

Prince of Wales and Princess Royal, are the largest cabins available, both situated on the Bridge Deck. With 235 square feet of space, they offer a comfortable king-sized bed and a 3-piece en-suite bathroom. These cabins feature outside windows and provide convenient access to both the deck and ship interior.

Cascadia

Category 2 cabins

Admiralty, Calvert, Moresby, and Vancouver, are located on the Main Deck. These cabins offer 195 square feet of space and feature either a queen-sized bed or two twin beds. Each cabin has a 3-piece en-suite bathroom and provides convenient access to both the deck and the corridor through separate doors. Windows fill the space with natural light.

Cascadia

Category 1 cabins

Kunghit, Salt Spring, Cortes, Hanson, and Penelakut, are located on the Lower Deck, and Campania is located on the Promenade Deck. These cabins offer 160 square feet of space and feature a queen-sized bed or two twin beds. Each cabin is equipped with a 3-piece en-suite bathroom and convenient door access to the inside of the ship corridor. The cabins on the Lower Deck feature two large porthole windows, filling the space with natural light and charming ocean views.

Departure dates

Notes

Optional hiking and kayaking is included in the voyage cost.

Mandatory Sustainable travel fee & 5% Canadian GST is payable and is NOT included in the cabin cost

Dates don't fit?
Create a Private Trip

If you have your own group, talk to us about turning this itinerary into your own private adventure.

Priceper person from

$9990USD

Options & Supplements*

Sustainability Fee (Mandatory)USD$160
5% Canadian GST on Category 1 Cabin (Mandatory)USD$460
5% Canadian GST on Category 2 Cabin (Mandatory)USD$535
5% Canadian GST on Category 3 Cabin (Mandatory)USD$610
Category 2 cabin upgradeUSD$1450
Category 3 cabin upgradeUSD$2970

*Prices listed are per person

Essential Information

Ready to book? Make sure you download and read the detailed Great Bear Forest aboard Cascadia trip notes which contains all the essential information you need to know before booking. Once you’ve booked, we will supply you with a Pre-Departure document which contains a detailed gear list and other important information to help you prepare for your adventure ahead.