To observe pods of socialising Orcas and to see Grizzly Bears feeding on salmon all in a single week of coastal sailing is an unmatched opportunity. This seven day trip aboard the sailing vessel Island Roamer includes several days of Orca watching in Johnstone Strait, concluding with an excursion along one of the coastal fjords to a mountain river where Grizzly Bears feed on spawning salmon. Two viewing platforms above the spawning channels offer excellent photographic opportunities, and local guides provide insights into bear behavior.

Johnstone Strait is absolutely the best place in the world to see Orcas. Departing from Port McNeill, Vancouver Island, we cruise the vicinity of Robson Bight where Orcas, Dall’s Porpoises, and Minke Whales congregate to feed. We expect to see Orcas foraging for salmon and engaging in such activities as spyhopping, lobtailing and breaching. There are excellent opportunities to photograph these beautiful animals at close range.

In addition to observing whales and bears, we take shore walks to investigate inter-tidal marine life. The area also hosts a wide variety of birds, including mighty Bald Eagles, Rhinoceros Auklets, Marbled Murrelets, auks, divers and Fork-tailed Storm Petrels.

The trip begins and ends in Port McNeill on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. Meals and accommodation are aboard the 68-foot sailing yacht Island Roamer with double occupancy cabins. Book early for this trip as there is limited space.

Further information available from us.

Itinerary

Day 1: Port McNeill, Vancouver Island. Transfer to Island Roamer and set sail.

Days 2-6: Johnstone Strait area. We will spend some time in the Robson Bight, Orca watching. We hope to visit a Kwakwaka’wakv village and see ancient totems.  We will take a one-day cruise to Knight Inlet to watch the bears feeding on the running salmon.

Day 7: Arrive Port McNeill and disembark.

Holiday Information

Dates:                2^nd – 8^th September 2006 & 8^th – 14^th September 2007

Naturalists/guides: Wayne Sentman

Cost: £1445 for 2006 & £1569 for 2007 per person sharing a twin cabin

Deposit:                       £300 per person

Max no of participants:            15

Price includes: Cruise aboard vessel sharing a twin cabin.  The vessel has 3 heads (shower/WC), naturalist, and all meals on board vessel.

Price excludes: Flights (from £925 per person), Pre/post hotels (from £30 per person), insurance (available from £64.59 per person), transfers, drinks, crew gratuities (allow $10 per day) and items of a personal nature.