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Islands of the Spirit Bear, Waters of the Humpback
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The Spirit Bear (also known as the Kermode Bear) inhabits the northern coastal rainforests of British Columbia. The Spirit Bear is a Black Bear that has a white coat, and on these exceptional motor yacht cruises it is the focus of the tour. Although the weather on B.C.'s north coast is not always predictable, the sun seems to shine at the most crucial of times: whether the sun spotlights tiny white Spirit Bear cubs as they gorge themselves on ripening wild crab apples, or warms a hungry wolf as he patrols the shore, or highlights the giant pectoral fins of the humpbacks as they seem to fly out of the sea in a full breach. Walk the great creeks and rivers with your expert bear/wildlife guide (one of the founding members of the Commercial Bear Viewing Association of B.C.), and marvel at the struggle of all five species of Pacific salmon as they return to their spawning grounds. As you sit quietly at the water's edge, taking in all the sounds and smells of the rainforest, watch closely for Black Bears, Spirit Bears, Wolves, River Otters, Eagles, and Ravens, as they come in search of a salmon dinner. Opportunities for whale watching occur primarily on board the ship and most often occur while either watching wildlife on the shorelines or while travelling from one anchorage to another.
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All of these trips include at least one full day (with some departures including 2 full days), at a bear viewing platform, overlooking a creek where bears come to fish. On these day(s) at the platform(s), a bear guide/Gitga'at interpreter, Marven Robinson, from the First Nations village of Hartley Bay, will help lead our group. Marven will share his local knowledge with you, including explaining the importance of the Spirit Bear to his people. Back on board our ship, Great Bear II, sit on deck and enjoy the majesty of B.C.'s most remote and wild inlets or take one of our kayaks and explore the shoreline, discovering rich tidal pools, playful otters and seals. If you are very quiet perhaps you will even hear the mournful howl of a wolf as it communicates with its pack. At the end of the day, soaking in the hot springs on the polished rocky shores of Bishop Bay, one can forget everything of the outside world. As the lacy boughs of cedar trees hang from the forest canopy and the mist rising from the water wraps around you like a warm blanket, the only sounds that can be heard may be that of songbirds, the howl of a distant wolf, or the blow of a Humpback as it surfaces in the bay in front of you.
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| Season: early September to late September |
| Requirements: Water proof jacket and pants (not breathable, i.e. Gore-Tex), knee high (non-marking) rubber boots. Complete personal equipment list will be provided upon request. |
| Suggested Items: Backpack/daypack, water bottle, camera(s), binoculars, tripod. |
| Suggested Clothing: Complete clothing list will be provided upon request. |
| Difficulty: Easy/Intermediate |
| Restrictions: Baggage weight restriction at 40 pounds per person (seaplane transfer). Additional weight subject to surcharge. All details provided upon request and at time of booking. |
| Maximum Number of People: 6 |
| Equipment Provided: The ship is Transport Canada certified as a passenger vessel, carrying all the latest navigation and safety equipment. This 54 foot Hatteras Long Range Cruiser is capable of crossing oceans. Also, 16 foot Zodiac for shore excursions, 3 kayaks on board for quiet exploration while at anchor, hip waders are available. All bedding, linens, towels, and natural personal care products provided. |
| Transportation: Trips begin and end in Prince Rupert, British Columbia. Return seaplane transfers from Prince Rupert to Hartley Bay are included. |
| Accommodations: Guests enjoy private accommodation (based on double occupancy) on board. For those single travellers who don't wish to share a room, there is a single berth in the pilothouse. There are two full bathrooms on board, both equipped with electric flushing toilets. Bath towels and facecloths are provided for guests, as well as all linens including pillows with cases, bottom sheets and duvets (non down filled), with duvet covers. Fresh hand towels are put out in each of the bathrooms daily. On board our 54 foot ship, guests can lounge in the spacious comfort of our salon/galley area as magnificent scenery passes by outside. A cozy couch for sitting and reading, for visiting with other guests, or for an afternoon siesta, is a much sought after spot on board. Across from the couch, an L shaped seating area with a table, offers a spot to look at your latest photographs on your laptop, play cards or just have a cup of tea and a cookie. Across from the galley area is a "coffee bar", including a selection of teas, coffee and hot chocolate, along with a large bowl of fruit, home made cookies or other treats to entice you-help yourself whenever you like. Guests will love dining in our "revolving restaurant"-sitting at the dining table in our pilothouse-as the boat turns in the tide at anchor or as we travel during the day. (There are almost 360 degree views from the pilothouse.) As we travel, guests are welcome to join the Captain in the pilothouse for briefings on points of interest, wildlife sightings, navigation instruction, or even to take a turn at the wheel of Great Bear II. Whether it's getting involved in the ship's steering and navigation or just sitting with a cup of coffee, a freshly baked treat and a good book, guests seem to love this special place on board. Outside on the foredeck there is plenty of room for photographers to use their tripods and a long settee for lounging. The aft deck, the entrance to the ship, is covered, which gives us space to hang outdoor gear, and the perfect spot for the chef's herb garden. All in all, there is plenty of room on board for guests and crew to enjoy each other or to enjoy some solitude in a private spot. The small group focus of these tours allow more personalized service, more privacy and more comfort. |
| Meal Information: All meals are included while on board. A wide array of cuisine is offered, made with the freshest ingredients available, flown to the ship each week. With wines chosen to compliment the dishes served, and herb garden on board, guests are sure to feel pampered. B.C. VQA wines served with dinner. |
| Guide Information: Your lead guide and Captain is Eric Boyum. Eric has been exploring and working on the coasts of B.C., Alaska, the Caribbean and the Sea of Cortez for over 25 years. Eric, also a professional firefighter, brings confidence to even the most timid or reticent of guests. One of the founding members of the Bear Viewing Association of B.C., Eric is also the on board bear/wildlife guide and naturalist, sharing his vast knowledge of the natural and cultural histories of the coast. Eric has a great sense of humour and passion for the coast and its wildlife. Strict guidelines are followed for wildlife viewing as well as following protocols for visiting traditional First Nations land, honouring their culture and traditions. |
| Comments: We specialize in small group sizes of 2 - 6 guests on our trips. Our small groups make the least impact possible on the lands we visit and the wildlife we view, something that is extremely important to us. With our small group sizes our guide(s) can provide unparalleled wildlife viewing and opportunities for photography while ensuring the safety of the group. With our small group sizes and the spacious layout of our ship Great Bear II, our guests enjoy unparalleled privacy, comfort and personalized service as they experience British Columbia's most remote and spectacular settings-our guests are never just part of a crowd. |
| Trip Duration |
Price |
5 days
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$3200.00* per person
August 29-September 2, 2012 |
7 days
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$3950.00* per person
September 13-19, 2012 |
9 days
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$4475.00* per person
September 21-29, 2012 |
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*Please add 5% Goods and Services Tax , 7.00% Provincial Sales Tax
If you have any questions or would like more information about a particular adventure, please email us.
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