Vancouver, Alaska Cruise & Grizzly Bears
Alaska & British Columbia
- 7-night Alaska Cruise onboard Celebrity Eclipse ®
- Bear Viewing, Sightseeing cruise through Glendale Cove, Wildlife viewing & tracking, evening interpretive presentation
Located between Vancouver Island and mainland British Columbia, and within the border of the world-renowned Broughton Archipelago Marine Park, Farewell Harbour is a beautiful protected lodge that is the perfect base for a wildlife-watching adventure.
Situated along the famed Inside Passage route to Alaska, the lodge is sheltered in an inlet on the edge of the Archipelago. This outstanding itinerary allows you to get up close to Canada’s most impressive wildlife, with full-day excursions in search of Grizzly Bears and Orca Whales. Excursions include wildlife tours, sea kayaking, photography masterclasses, and heli-hiking.
The primary lodge building and common area feature a comfortable lounge and dining room, bar and a large brick fireplace surrounded by large windows and a wrap-around deck boasting spectacular views of the harbour!
Our Canada Consultants are experts at creating tailor-made itineraries for our clients. If there's something in this package that doesn't quite suit, let us know and we'll sort it for you. We can also add on extra nights in Vancouver or even a trip on board the iconic Rocky Mountaineer!
Depart Port Hardy Airport or hotel between 9.30 - 10.30am. Arrive at Alder Bay by 12.00pm for your 12.30pm departure aboard our high speed water taxi for the scenic 30 minute service to Farewell Harbour. Greet Farewell Harbour Lodge staff at the dock (1.00pm). Check in, receive a welcome orientation and lunch. Relax, you’re here! After settling into accommodation, join an afternoon tour in search of marine wildlife in the waters of the famous Johnstone Strait and Robson Bight Ecological Reserve. Return to the lodge by 4.30pm. Buffet dinner is at 6.00pm, followed by next day activity briefing. Evening presentation is at 7.00pm on some aspect of coastal ecology.
After breakfast, meet on the dock at 8.00am for your first full day bear viewing adventure to one of our main grizzly viewing estuaries! Our bear viewing takes us to one of several estuaries where we view either from a zodiac or on foot depending on the tide. We do not use viewing platforms, preferring to view wildlife at eye level in their natural habitat. Return by 4.30pm; buffet dinner is at 6.00pm followed by an evening presentation the Great Bear Rainforest, Bears, Whales or First Nations culture.
7.00am breakfast, then on the water at 8.00am for your choice of another bear viewing safari or a more extensive exploration of the incredible rich waters of Johnstone Strait and the Robson Bight Ecological Reserve. Orcas typically return to these waters mid-July although Humpbacks and other marine life can often be seen from May through October. Return by 4.30pm for dinner and an evening program.
Choose from one of the following options: A short morning sea kayak excursion in the protected and crystalline waters near Farewell Harbour Lodge, a marine excursion, or guided interpretive rainforest hike. Return to the lodge for the return water taxi back to Alder Bay about midday arriving for your transfer back to Port Hardy Airport or hotel. Itineraries starting in Vancouver will end with a flight from Port Hardy to Vancouver.