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Orcas & Grizzlies Wildlife Tour
"A La Carte"   
Canada flag

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. In this area the waters are sheltered and the marine life is plentiful.

We stay in accommodation that overlooks Johnstone Strait. Our south facing view enables panoramic views of sunsets, local marine traffic and sometimes pods of orcas. From here, we go whale watching on one day and grizzly bear watching the next.

On a la carte tours our guests simply call ahead to reserve a space and ask us to book their activities. You must find your own way to Alert Bay or purchase one of our transportation packages. There is no minimum number of guests; you can come on your own, with a friend or your family. If you so desire, you may stay on at Alert Bay Lodge for a fourth night, or longer, but please reserve ahead.

While this experience begins and ends in Alert Bay, BC, coach and air transportation packages to Alert Bay can be purchased from Midnight Sun Adventure Travel (see below).

Duration: 4 days / 3 nights
Activity Level : Easy. Travellers should be prepared to travel by 28’ power boat and sailboat in varying ocean conditions.
Maximum Group Size: Not applicable as guests book individually for this tour
Accommodation: 3 nights waterview accommodation at either the Alert Bay Lodge or the Nimpkish Hotel.
Meals: Three breakfasts, one lunch and one snack.
Tour Dates: 2008 Tour Dates

Daily from June 15 to September 30, 2008

 
Departs: Alert Bay, BC, Day 1
Arrives: Alert Bay, BC, Day 4
Price: $795.00 CDN. 

Single supplement: $125.00

Included:

-accommodation for 3 nights at the Alert Bay Lodge

-half day whale watching in Johnstone Strait

-full day of grizzly bear viewing at Knight's Inlet

-three breakfasts and one lunch

Not Included:

-transportation to Alert Bay.

-optional activities, gratuities, and 5% GST.

Air transportation to Alert Bay : $660.00.

This package includes return transportation from Vancouver International Airport to Port Hardy Airport, a taxi from Port Hardy to Port McNeill, ferry fees to Alert Bay on Cormorant Island, and a taxi to Alert Bay Lodge from the ferry terminal at Alert Bay. Approximate arrival time in Alert Bay is 1:00 PM.

 

Coach add-on to Alert Bay: $315.00

This package includes return coach transportation from Vancouver or Victoria to Port McNeill, return cab fare from the bus depot at Port McNeill to the Port McNeill ferry dock, return passage on the Alert Bay ferry and return cab fare from the Alert Bay ferry dock to Alert Bay Lodge. Approximate arrival time at Alert Bay Lodge is 5:45 PM. Bus service is available

year round.




Optional Activities:

-Entrance to the U'mista Cultural Centre

-Village Island Native Marine Tour

-Native Dancing

-Additional nights accommodation at the Lodge


Reservations Top of Page

Orcas & Grizzlies Itinerary

Day 1. Alert Bay, B.C. Arrival in Alert Bay at Alert Bay Lodge. Check in and relax or take in the local scenery. We'll recommend several restaurants for your dinner in Alert Bay this evening.

Meals included: none.

Day 2. Alert Bay, B.C. Heading into Johnstone Straight on a sailboat we "sail with the whales." Johnstone Strait is home to the largest population of Orcas in the world. Other marine life spotting opportunities include Minke whales, Dahl Porpoises, Harbour Porpoises, Pacific White Sided Dolphins, sea lions and otters and over 150 different species of birds. Along the shore, black bear, deer cougar may be spotted.

In the afternoon, after whale watching, you'll have the option to go for a walk through in the Ecological Gardens and the adjacent Big Tree Trail, stroll through the colourfull Village of Alert Bay, visit the U'mista Cultural Centre, and shop for native art at several shops in the Village.

Meals Included: Hot breakfast at Alert Bay Lodge.


Day 3. Alert Bay, B.C. Your grizzly bear marine tour arrives in Alert Bay early in the morning to pick you up for a full day on the water. Becoming famous for its population of Grizzly bears, Knight Inlet is surrounded by snow-capped mountains, steep-sided, forested cliffs and active marine life.

Glendale Cove is our destination on this adventure where we drift, paddle and motor quietly around an estuary, looking to spot grizzly bears as they feed on the sedges and grasses at high tide. Low tide brings more bears out, and we may see them turn over large boulders in their search for crabs, isopods and beach barnacles. By the end of August, the bears start pursuing the salmon upstream and we move from our boat to on shore blinds to enhance our Grizzly bear viewing prospects. In the evening we can enjoy the sites and sounds of Alert Bay.

Meals Included: Hot breakfast at Alert Bay Lodge and lunch on the bear watching tour.


Day 4. Return to Vancouver or Victoria, B.C. After breakfast we'll call your taxi and get you on the right ferry to Port McNeill to make your land or flight connection.

Meals Included: Hot breakfast at Alert Bay Lodge.


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

Reservations Top of Page
 
orcas new


Accommodation in Vancouver

 

St. Regis Hotel
Sylvia Hotel
YWCA Hotel
 

   Transportation


Getting to Alert Bay

Getting to Vancouver

 

  Weather


Port Hardy
(near Alert Bay)
 

  Parks & Information


Robson Bight Ecological Reserve
Alert Bay

U'mista Cultural Society

Pre-departure Information Excerpt



 

 
West Coast Books

Call toll free
1-800-255-5057
for info on tour availability
 

Orcas & Grizzlies Tour
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