North Vancouver Island

North Vancouver Island Adventure Cruise

Prices From £3,094pp
October Only | 4 nights

North Vancouver Island Adventure Cruise

Aboard: Island Solitude

Explore the wild beauty of Northern Vancouver Island, where lush rainforests, island-studded waterways, and rich First Nations culture come together. Cruising through Johnstone Strait, Blackfish Sound, and the Broughton Archipelago, you’ll discover one of the most biodiverse marine environments on Earth.

Watch for orca, humpback whales, sea lions, and porpoises as you navigate calm, protected waters. Ashore, walk beneath towering cedars in ancient temperate rainforest, and learn about the enduring traditions of the Kwakwaka’wakw people with a visit to Alert Bay’s U’Mista Cultural Centre.

With daily opportunities to kayak, hike, and sail, guided by expert naturalists, this voyage blends wildlife encounters, coastal exploration, and cultural insight into an unforgettable small-ship adventure.

Various departures available, including a 7 day variation. Please enquire for full dates and rates.

Highlights

  • Explore the protected waterways of Johnstone Strait, Blackfish Sound, and the Broughton Archipelago
  • Watch for orca, humpback whales, sea lions, and other marine wildlife in nutrient-rich coastal waters
  • Kayak through calm inlets and anchor nightly in secluded coves surrounded by old-growth rainforest
  • Walk beneath towering cedar and hemlock trees in pristine coastal wilderness
  • Visit the U’Mista Cultural Centre in Alert Bay to learn about Kwakwaka’wakw heritage and the Potlatch Collection
  • Listen to the calls of whales through the ship’s underwater hydrophone
  • Enjoy expert interpretation from onboard naturalists and the quiet serenity of sailing under canvas

What's Included

  • All meals onboard ship from lunch on the first day to breakfast on the last
  • Applicable permits, Park user fees, and First Nations protocol fees
  • Full use of all facilities aboard the vessel
  • Captain, Chef, Crew, Naturalist

Our popularitinerary Suggestions

All our itinerary holidays are fully customisable

Port McNeill - Embark
1Day

Port McNeill - Embark

Your adventure begins in Port McNeill, British Columbia, where you’ll meet the crew at the North Island Marina before boarding and settling into your comfortable cabin. Following a brief orientation and safety introduction, the ship leaves civilisation behind, venturing into a world of ancient forests, rugged archipelagos, and wildlife-rich waters. Each day offers the chance to explore the calm, protected channels by sea kayak or small boat, with expert guidance from your onboard naturalist, who will help identify the region’s diverse plants, birds, and marine life. Every evening, anchor in a new secluded bay, surrounded by the quiet beauty of Canada’s untamed coastal wilderness.

Please note: As embarkation begins in the morning, we highly recommend arriving the day prior to the tour start and staying overnight at accommodation of your choice in either Port McNeill or Port Hardy.

Exploring Northern Vancouver Island
2 - 4Days

Exploring Northern Vancouver Island

Over the next few days, we navigate the rich waters of Johnstone Strait, Blackfish Sound, and Queen Charlotte Strait, among the best places in the world to encounter orca and humpback whales. These nutrient-rich passages attract both Northern Resident orca, which feed on salmon, and Bigg’s orca, which hunt marine mammals. Keep your eyes on the horizon for the powerful blow of a humpback whale, whose population has rebounded in these waters, and listen for their haunting calls through the ship’s underwater hydrophone. With luck, you may witness unforgettable behaviours, from spy-hopping to breaching, as these remarkable animals feed and play in their natural habitat.

Ashore, guided walks through the coastal temperate rainforest reveal ancient trees draped in moss and a vibrant understorey teeming with life. At low tide, explore the intertidal zone in search of sea stars, anemones, and other marine creatures, while tranquil moments under sail offer a chance to absorb the stillness of the wild.

We’ll also explore the Broughton Archipelago Marine Provincial Park, a maze of undeveloped islands home to bald eagles, auklets, harlequin ducks, and Steller sea lions, whose lively haul-outs echo across the shore. Cultural encounters enrich the experience, including a visit to the Kwakwaka’wakw community of Alert Bay and the U’Mista Cultural Centre, where sacred masks and regalia once confiscated under Canada’s potlatch ban have been proudly returned. Time and permission allowing, we may also visit the abandoned Mamalilikulla village of ‘Mimkwamlis’ on Village Island, a site of deep ancestral importance and a poignant reminder of the enduring strength and heritage of the Kwakwaka’wakw people.

Port McNeill - Disembark
5Day

Port McNeill - Disembark

Your voyage through the wild waterways of Northern Vancouver Island draws to a close as we return to Port McNeill by late morning. After bidding farewell to your crew and fellow travellers, you may choose to catch an afternoon flight from Port Hardy back to Vancouver, or extend your stay to explore more of this remarkable region. Please enquire for trip extension options and advice.

A view from Above

All Aboard

Island Solitude
Adventure vessel

Island Solitude

Launched in 2017 and custom-built in British Columbia, the Island Solitude is a modern expedition yacht designed to explore Canada’s remote Pacific coast in comfort and style. Carrying just 12 guests, this elegant single-masted sloop combines adventure with sustainability, reaching secluded coves and fjords that larger ships cannot. With an experienced crew and a strong commitment to low-impact travel, each voyage offers an intimate connection with nature and wildlife.

On board, guests enjoy six double-occupancy ensuite cabins featuring cosy duvets, organic toiletries, and opening portholes. The spacious wheelhouse offers 360° views and transforms each evening into a warm, communal dining space, while the aft cockpit and foredeck provide perfect spots for alfresco meals or whale watching. Between zodiac excursions, kayaking, and quiet moments on deck, the Island Solitude delivers a refined yet down-to-earth expedition experience along one of the world’s most spectacular coastlines.

Too much to choose from? This is where we come in

Take advantage of our vast experience, passion and expertise to help you hand craft the perfect Canada adventure for you.

Michael Gardiner Senior Travel Expert

Mike has more than 15 years of experience in the travel industry and continues to be inspired by the people, places and wildlife he discovers. His in-depth personal knowledge of a diverse range of destinations ensures your adventure itinerary will be a holiday like no other.

Simon Rowland Senior Travel Expert

Simon’s deep passion for and first-hand knowledge of a vast range of destinations all over the world gives him the ideal skills to help you create a truly unforgettable wildlife inspired adventure to the most exciting places on the planet.

Sheena Ogley Senior Travel Expert

Sheena’s abiding love of adventure travel has taken her to some of the most incredible wildlife-rich places on Earth. Her vast experience and genuine desire to share her knowledge makes her an outstanding and invaluable person to help you organise your wildlife adventure trip.

Ready to start planning youronce in a lifetime trip?

Call us
0800 195 3385
Outside the uk
+ 44 1625 5811 43
Call us
+ 44 1625 5811 43
Call us
+ 44 1625 5811 43

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Ready to start planning youronce in a lifetime trip?

Call us - 0800 195 3385
Outside the uk? + 44 1625 5811 43
+ 44 1625 5811 43 Call us - 0800 195 3385

Chat Now

Fill in our
Enquiry form

Book Consultation

Book a
Consultation

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From outside UK:+44 1625 58 11 43

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