Midnight Sun Adventure Travel

2009 Vancouver Island Tours: Grizzly Bear Tours & Whale Watching Tours

Explore pristine waters and wilderness areas to see Orcas ("killer whales") and grizzlies off the northeast coast of Vancouver Island, Canada. The setting for this eco-adventure is the remote coastal wilderness that encompasses Johnstone Strait, a deep and narrow glacier-carved passage between the east coast of Vancouver Island and the BC mainland. This area sports sheltered waters and plentiful marine life, including the largest population of orcas in western North America.

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. 1,300), one of the few remaining authentic coastal communities on the coast of British Columbia. Please note that the scheduling of activities on these three days may vary from the itinerary (below).

Alert Bay Lodge is a five room inn that overlooks Johnstone Strait, enabling panoramic views of sunsets, local marine traffic and sometimes pods of orcas. In keeping with the 'retreat' atmosphere of the lodge, rooms do not have television sets. A large common room and its sundecks are favourite places for guests to gather and converse. Transportation is by narrated coach tour up Vancouver Island and by plane back to Vancouver, BC.

Grizzly Bear Tours & Whale Watching Tours Itinerary

Day 1. Alert Bay, B.C. After hotel pick up in Victoria, BC, our coach tour departs northbound on the Island Highway. We stop first at the Brentwood Bay scenic pullout and continue to Duncan to view the totem poles. Further north on our Vancouver Island tour is Chemainus, “the city of murals”, where we stop for a 50 minute break to explore this colouful town. We continue our drive up the east coast of Vancouver Island to the Coombs Country Market, made famous for the goats that graze on the roof. Here, we stop for a one hour lunch break and to shop in the village. After lunch, we follow the scenic route along the shoreline through Qualicum Beach. Passing Campbell River, the Island Highway takes us into the sparsely populated Nimpkish Valley - keep your eyes peeled for Roosevelt Elk and black bears. The tour ends concludes in Port McNeill in time to make the 5:00 pm ferry sailing to Alert Bay.

After a 35 minute sailing, a cab will meet you at the Alert Bay Ferry Terminal to drive you to your accommodation. The cab fare is approximately $8.

Meals: Dinner

Day 2. Alert Bay, B.C. Our whale tours depart Alert Bay at 10:00 am for an exciting six hour tour of the inlets, islands and waterways in Johnstone Strait and the Broughton Archipelago. During our tour, your guide lead the search for orcas, humpback and and Minke whales. Other marine life sighting opportunities include Dahl Porpoises, Harbour Porpoises, Pacific White Sided Dolphins and sea lions. Bald eagles and many species of birds are plentiful and, along the shore, black bear, deer and cougar may be spotted. The tour returns to Alert Bay by 4:00 pm, in time to repair to the local pub or do some shopping.

Compared to other vessels, a zodiac has enhanced stability and sea sickness is extremely rare among our guests. A floater suit, warm gloves and a picnic lunch are included. On-shore rest stops are provided to stretch our legs, enjoy lunch and examine the local flora and fauna.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch.

Day 3. Alert Bay, B.C. We’ve set this day aside for you to explore the Village of Alert Bay. After breakfast, the lodge manager will provide you with a map highlighting attractions on the 5 kilometer long Cormorant Island, tickets to U’Mista Cultural Centre and a picnic lunch. The Village can easly be explored by foot from your accommodation. Attractions include:
· The Village of Alert Bay including the Tourism Information Centre, and shops and galleries featuring native art;
· The U’Mista Cultural Centre: Features historic and contemporary artwork, including First Nations reclaimed potlatch collection (admission included);
· First Nations dancing at the Big House (schedule permitting).

· The Ecological Gardens and Big Tree Trail: a series of easy walking trails located at the top of the island. This attraction is about 2 kilometers from the Village.

Meals Included: Breakfast and a picnic lunch.

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 is surrounded by snow-capped mountains, steep-sided, forested cliffs and active marine life.

Day 5. Alert Bay, BC. After breakfast we'll call your taxi and get you on the right ferry to Port McNeill. Your up-Island journey continues when you’re picked up by taxi at the Port McNeill Ferry Terminal and escorted to Port Hardy Airport. Here, you catch an afternoon scheduled flight to Vancouver, BC.

Meals Included: Breakfast.

Once you book, we provide you with comprehensive pre-departure information. Click here for an excerpt.