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Orcas
& Grizzlies Wildlife Tour
"A La Carte" |
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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. |
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Tour Dates: |
2008 Tour Dates
| Daily
from June 15 to September 30, 2008
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| 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.
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| Optional
Activities: |
-Entrance
to the U'mista Cultural Centre
-Village Island
Native Marine Tour
-Native Dancing
-Additional nights
accommodation at the Lodge |
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.
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Call toll free
1-800-255-5057
for info on tour availability
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Orcas & Grizzlies Tour
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