Expedition travel aboard the schooner Passing Cloud Experience the wildlife, wilderness, & cultures of Canada’s Pacific Coast

2016 Expedition Dates Welcome Message from A Look Inside the and Destinations Outer Shores President Schooner Passing Cloud The sailing trip aboard the Passing Cloud not only showed me the bliss and beauty of the west coast but immersed me in 9 days of equally beautiful inner peace.

Mary Beth Morrow, Outer Shores Traveller

1 It was an experience not to be rushed, but rather to be savoured moment by moment.

Join us aboard the schooner Passing Cloud as we explore the wilderness, wildlife, and indigenous cultures of Canada’s Pacific Coast. You’ll leave this journey rested and relaxed, inspired, conscious of vulnerable species and delicate ecosystems, and filled with wonderful memories and personal experiences from this remarkable corner of the world.

Contents

3 Outer Shores Expeditions

4 Welcome Message from our President

5 Schooner Passing Cloud

7 2016 Expeditions

8 Expedition: Pacific Rim

13 Expedition: Haida Gwaii

18 Expedition: Johnstone Strait

23 Expedition: Great Bear Rainforest

28 Expedition: Gulf Islands

35 Contact

2 Outer Shores Expeditions

Outer Shores offers multi-day wildlife and cultural expeditions that are once-in-a- lifetime experiences. Guided by our crew of professional mariners and expert naturalists, our small groups of 6 - 8 guests explore, experience, and learn about the stunning wildlife and ancient cultures of coastal British Columbia. We are committed to providing exceptional expeditions while minimizing our impacts on the wildlife we encounter, and supporting the communities we visit.

Each day we travel between our anchorages and activities, stopping to view the wildlife we encounter and sailing whenever the opportunity presents. We go ashore at least daily, using our inflatable skiff to shuttle between ship and shore, and to explore the many islands and estuaries we visit. Due to the nature of our daily activities, a moderate degree of fitness is required for our expeditions.

All meals are prepared by our onboard chef, serving delicious dishes that are healthy and plentiful. Whenever possible, we source and serve foods that are sustainably raised and caught in B.C. We enjoy dining outside on Passing Cloud’s aft deck table, or inside around the dining table in her beautiful main salon.

3 A Welcome Message from the Outer Shores Expeditions President, Russell Markel

Dear Outer Shores Traveller,

It’s my distinct pleasure to invite you aboard our classic wooden schooner, the Passing Cloud, to explore, discover, and experience first-hand some of the most biodiverse regions and ancient indigenous cultures on the Planet, here on Canada’s Pacific Coast.

At Outer Shores, we recognize that our travellers seek truly exceptional and authentic educational experiences that provide in-depth understanding of the wildlife, ecosystems and cultures we visit. The diverse expertise of the Outer Shores Crew, and the remarkable abilities of our vessel, the schooner Passing Cloud, is our strength. In tandem, our guests are able to access and explore some of the most remote and pristine regions of the British Columbia Coast, while our expert crew reveals for them their inherent layers of ecological and cultural complexity. In doing so, it’s our hope, and our passion, that Outer Shores and Passing Cloud are quite literally vessels for engaging with nature.

In 2015, we proudly embarked upon multiple conservation and citizen-science projects. First, we underwent the process of completing a carbon audit, assessing our carbon footprint, and offsetting our emissions for our 2013 season, making us Carbon Neutral! Second, we have been collecting valuable wildlife sighting data using “SpotterPro”, an iPhone /iPad/ Android app designed by “Conserve .I.O. – Technology for a Better Planet”. Third, we underwent a third party assessment from Green Tourism Canada and received a Green Tourism Gold rating for our efforts. Finally, we collaborated with a number of post-secondary institutions to offer ship-based field courses that enable undergraduate and graduate students to learn about coastal ecosystems in ways that textbooks, lectures and labs simply can’t compare. We are excited to carry these projects into 2016 and move forward with new projects!

I look forward to you joining us aboard the schooner Passing Cloud for a voyage of discovery and adventure along the spectacular coast of British Columbia.

Captain Russell Markel, MSc, PhD Founder and President, Outer Shores Expeditions

Russell has spent his life and career as a marine ecologist and mariner studying, exploring, and sailing the B.C. coast. Founding Outer Shores is the realization of his ambition to bring together his experience, education, and passions to create an organization that fosters education, awareness, and stewardship.

4 Schooner, Passing Cloud Comfort, Safety, & Sailing Ability

Our expedition vessel is the beautiful 70’ (21 m) classic wooden schooner, Passing Cloud. This iconic vessel has a rich history on the B.C. Coast, renowned for her elegant design and exceptional sailing abilities. Passing Cloud was designed by William Roué, who also designed the legendary Canadian schooner, Bluenose, featured on the back of every Canadian dime. Built to sail around the world, Passing Cloud is an ideal vessel for exploring and engaging with the nature and cultures of the B.C. Coast.

5 The schooner Passing Cloud was launched in 1974 in Victoria B.C., and features three private guest cabins, a beautifully redesigned main salon, and traditional wheelhouse. The three forward staterooms each have two spacious single berths (beds) complete with fluffy duvets and wool blankets, a private vanity with sink, mirror, hot and cold running water, a skylight or deck prism, brass reading lamps, drawers, and a hanging locker for storage. A spacious common head and shower are accessible from the main salon. Passing Cloud also features sea kayaks and an inflatable skiff to help us explore the shorelines, forests, bays and inlets of the BC coast.

Passing Cloud is a Transport Canada certified passenger vessel and meets the highest standards of safety and construction. She is fully equipped with modern safety and navigation equipment including radar, GPS, VHF radios, EPIRB, and digital chart plotter and satellite telephone.

6 2016 Expeditions Experience the wildlife, wilderness, and cultures of Canada’s Pacific Coast

7 British Columbia’s Pacific Rim National Park 6-days navigating more than 300 islands and islets in an astonishingly rich cultural and wilderness environment With exploration of ancient cultures and coastal rainforests

Discover Encounter Learn The Nuu-chah-nulth cultural Black bears, grey whales, About the fascinating heritage of Barkley Sound and sea otters, and orca archaeological research the Broken Group Islands in this region

8 Pacific Rim National Park Vancouver Island’s West Coast

Our expeditions to the west coast of Vancouver Island explore and experience the wildlife, wilderness and rich Nuu-chah-nulth cultural heritage of Barkley Sound and the Broken Group Islands, an archipelago of more than 300 islands and islets long considered the jewel of the Pacific Rim National Park.

9 Living and travelling aboard the schooner BRITISH Passing Cloud, and through shore excursions, COLUMBIA kayaking and zodiac tours, we’ll explore the islands, beaches, shores, old-growth rainforests, rocky intertidal zones, kelp forest CLAYOQUOT communities, estuaries and fiords of this SOUND diverse region, while partnering with local VANCOUVER Nuu-chah-nulth Nations, researchers and historians to learn about its ancient and intact cultural heritage. Port Alberni

6-days / 5-nights VANCOUVER ISLAND Tofino 2016 departures: Apr 12,17, 22, 28, May 3

Price per person: $2995 CAD

BARKLEY Departs from / Returns to: Ucluelet SOUND Ucluelet

BROKEN GROUP ISLANDS UNIT What’s Included? PACIFIC RIM NATIONAL PARK RESERVE All meals, accommodation, transportation, user fees, use of onboard gear and resources, Bamfield rubber boots. What’s not included? 5% GST, travel and accommodation before and after the expedition, gratuities, any personal expenses incurred due to weather, logistical delays, delayed departures of chartered aircraft, taxis, ferries.

10 Sample Itinerary: British Columbia’s Pacific Rim National Park

Day 1 Our expedition to Pacific Rim National Park begins in Ucluelet, the gateway community to Barkley Sound. We will spend our first night at Whiskey Landing Lodge, Thank you for a wonderful right in the heart of the community overlooking the “unplugging from civilization”, working harbor. Mid afternoon we will gather into our accommodations and join together for a dinner that educational, and gastronomic evening in the classic west coast hotel. delight trip. We enjoyed the rainbows, tidepool life, ducks, minks, eagles, osprey, giant sea stars, bears and whales. We look forward to joining you again.

Susan and Ken Wiegman, Outer Shores Travellers

Day 2

Prior to boarding Passing Cloud we will tour the local aquarium, to get an introduction to some of the sea life we will experience on the days to come. Once we board the ship, we will set sail for the Broken Group Islands. As we sail through Macoah Passage we will be on the look out for spawning Pacific herring and the grey whales, seabirds, and sea lions that congregate here to feast on this ecological bonanza. We’ll also hope to encounter some of the newest arrivals to Barkley Sound, the sea otter population that is re-colonizing this region. Come late afternoon we’ll drop anchor in a natural lagoon between Dodd, Willis and Turtle Islands and take the opportunity to sea kayak, take a zodiac tour, and shore walk, exploring the old growth forest and white-sand beaches found here. We’ll respectfully observe and discuss the deep shell middens, stone fish traps and ancient clam gardens we encounter, left here by the Tseshaht First Nation over the thousands of years they’ve inhabited this region.

11 Day 3

An early morning beach walk kicks-off our second day onboard, as we take advantage of the low tide to explore the world of diverse creatures like giant green anemones, lemon nudibranchs, bat stars, giant gumboot chitons, frilled dog whelks, peanut worms, purple encrusting sponges, and iridescent seaweed that flourish in this unique and fascinating ecosystem. We follow up our morning of discovery with a hot breakfast, fresh coffee, and tea as we prepare to heave up anchor and sail to Effingham Inlet in the north of the sound. Here we go ashore to explore the coastal estuary and hopefully catch a glimpse of foraging black bears. Next comes a sail through the Imperial Eagle Channel in search of humpback whales and harbour porpoises before anchoring in the Deer Group Islands for the night.

Day 4 We are now in the traditional territory of the Huu- ay-aht First Nation. In the past, the Huu-ay-aht First Nations people drew all they required from the wilderness and wildlife of this exceptionally productive environment. We will visit the coastal community of Bamfield, home to the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre, which now figures prominently in this historic boardwalk community. Day Our afternoon has us sailing back across the Trevor 5 and Imperial Eagle Channels to the Broken Group Islands. Here we’ll go ashore to explore ancient stone This morning we travel to Benson Island to tour fish weirs at the “Great Tidepool,” before sailing past the ancient village site of “C’isaa”, birthplace of an outstanding sea lion haul-out site later in the day. the Tseshaht First Nation that was occupied for at We will anchor overnight at Wouwer Island. least 5000 years. Here we will see the large shell middens that are the result of thousands of years of marine subsistence at this site. Later this morning we’ll cruise past the tiny ancient “fortress island” of Dicebox Island and learn about the archaeological research conducted here, shining some light on the socio-political-ecological dynamics that made this slight piece of land so vital some 1,500 years ago. In the afternoon we will leisurely stroll and explore the white- sand beaches of Clark or Turret Island before sailing and sea kayaking throughout the afternoon.

Day 6

Looking to squeeze every last drop out of this expedition, we will take a final morning shore walk, zodiac excursion, or exploration sea kayak today before heaving anchor and heading back to Ucluelet, all the while keeping out eyes peeled for more sea otters, whales and seabirds as we make our way back to port to say our final reluctant farewells prior to a disembarkation.

12 British Columbia’s Haida Gwaii Archipelago 9-days exploring the ecosystems, wildlife, & cultural heritage of one of the most spectacular places on the planet One of National Geographic’s Top 20 Places to Visit in 2015!

Discover Encounter Learn Ecosystems, wildlife, and Puffins, albatrosses, About the rich cultural cultural heritage of Gwaii sunfish, jellyfish, orcas heritage of the indigenous Haanas National Park and fin whales Haida Nation

13 Haida Gwaii Archipelago Islands at the Edge

Haida Gwaii (“Islands of the People” in the Haida language) is a remote island archipelago located approximately 100 km off the northwest coast of British Columbia. The “Galapagos of the North” is a world where giant spruce and cedar trees tower over salmon-rich streams, and kelp forests connect the land to the sea. An ecological hotspot, the unparalleled diversity of marine life here includes everything from puffins to albatrosses, sunfish to jellyfish, and killer whales to blue whales. Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, National Marine Conservation Area, and Haida Heritage Site (or simply “Gwaii Haanas”) protects the ecological and cultural treasures of this globally significant region from sea floor to mountain top.

14 Our 8-day expedition through Gwaii Haanas is dedicated to learning about the ecosystems and wildlife of the archipelago, while exploring the cultural heritage of the Masset Haida people who have lived here for more than 10,000 years. Throughout this expedition we’ll explore old-growth forests, white-sand beaches, rocky shores, ancient and modern cultural sites, and encounter the stunning wildlife BRITISH found here. Gwaii Haanas protects and informs us how COLUMBIA the Haida have thrived here in concert with the diverse ecosystems of this island archipelago for millenia.

8-days / 7-nights VANCOUVER Tlell

2016 departures: Jun 10, 18, 26, Jul 5, 14, 22 GRAHAM ISLAND Price per person: $5400 CAD

Departs from / Returns to: Sandspit Queen Charlotte Skidgate Sandspit

What’s Included?

Land tour including the Haida Heritage Centre, float plane Moresby Camp flight over Gwaii Haanas, all meals, accommodation, transportation, user fees, and use of onboard gear and K’uuna Llnagaay (Skedans) resources including rubber boots. What’s not included? 5% GST, travel and accommodation before and after the T’aanuu Linagaay expedition, gratuities, any personal expenses incurred (Tanu) due to weather, logistical delays, delayed departures of chartered aircraft, taxis, ferries.

Hlk’yah GawGa (Windy Bay)

Gandll K’in Gwaay-yaay (Hotspring Island)

GWAII HAANAS NATIONAL PARK RESERVE

Rose Harbour

SGang Gwaay (Anthony Island)

Cape St. James

15 Sample Itinerary: British Columbia’s Haida Gwaii Archipelago

We structure our Haida Gwaii expeditions as one-way voyages between the northern and southern portions of the park, rather than return trips. By doing so we are able to reduce our travel time and spend more time exploring and sailing during each expedition. A distinct feature of all our expeditions is that we have no fixed itineraries. Instead, our days structured by the winds, tides, and wildlife we encounter, and the interests and expertise of our guests and crew members. Please note that the following sample itinerary describes a south-bound expedition.

Day 1 Our expedition begins in Sandspit where our ground I never dreamt of the beauty we crew will pick you up from your accommodations and would find beneath the waters. travel to Moresby Camp via passenger van were we It was such a gift to see it and will get acquainted with our home for the next 8 days; Passing Cloud. After meeting the crew and settling have someone explain it all to us. into your accommodations our crew will deliver a I loved learning about the ocean, comprehensive safety briefing. Then we cast off our lines and set sail for the ancient village of K’uuna the Haida, and experience first Llagaay (Skedans) where we take a guided tour of the hand what it is like to be one with ancient Haida village. Later in the afternoon, we head nature. back aboard Passing Cloud and travel towards Anna Inlet, where we set anchor for the evening. Judi Trotter, Outer Shores Traveller Day 2

Today we travel towards the ancient villages of Taanuu Llnagaay (Tanu) and Hlk’yah GaawGa (Windy Bay) to walk through an old-growth forest filled with massive cedar and spruce trees. We follow that up with a visit to a Haida Watchmen’s cabin to learn the story of the Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site. We cap off our day by heading back to our floating home and enjoying an evening sail. Make sure to keep a sharp lookout for orca, which are frequent visitors to the area.

16 Day 3

Today, weather permitting, we hope to sail a few miles from shore to reach the pelagic zone. This area is the perfect place to search for marine wildlife, such as pelagic seabirds, sharks, giant ocean sunfish, Pacific Day white-sided dolphins, and humpback whales. In the afternoon we make our way closer to shore to explore 6 a small river system, and examine the remnants of We kick-off our day scouring the shoreline for wood-stake fish weirs (traps) dating from more than a intertidal archaeological features, including fish thousand years ago. traps, and clam gardens, and contemplate the interconnectedness of natural ecosystems and Day Haida subsistence and beliefs. Later, we have the chance to tour a sea lion rookery, learning more 4 about these formidable creatures and their ecology and conservation. We cap off the day by sailing to This morning we’re up early to catch low tide and Louscoone Inlet to anchor for the night. explore the incredible marine biodiversity of the world-famous Burnaby Narrows. Using our kayaks and inflatable skiff, we follow one of our expedition teams in snorkeling gear to check-out giant predatory sunflower stars, multi-coloured bat stars, massive moon snails, decorator crabs, and nudibranchs (sea slugs). Once the tide begins to rise we return to the Passing Cloud and continue our travels southward to Kunghit Island, traditional territory of the Kunghit Haida.

Day 7 Today we travel to the ancient village of SGang Gwaay on Anthony Island. The village, was inhabited until approximately 1880, and in 1984 was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in recognition of its globally significant cultural heritage. Here we find the remains of massive long houses, and a stunning grove of standing mortuary and memorial poles. We will embark on a guided tour of the village to learn about the traditional Haida way of Day life and social systems. 5 Today we visit Cape St. James (weather permitting) Day at the southernmost extremity of the Haida Gwaii Archipelago. With ocean currents meeting from the 8 east and west, this area is alive with marine life, including tufted and horned puffins, sea lions, and On our final day, we get one last chance to orcas on the hunt for their next meal. This region is experience the breathtaking Gwaii Haanas region, also home to one of our favorite white-sand beaches this time from the window of a floatplane. We on the BC coast, which is great for an afternoon of will take in a spectacular 50-minute flight back to exploring, relaxing, and strolling barefoot along the Sandspit, where our journey officially comes to an shore. end.

17 British Columbia’s Johnstone Strait & Blackfish Sound 6-days sailing with the spectacular marine mammal populations of Northern Vancouver Island One of the best places on the planet to observe killer whales in the wild

Discover Encounter Learn The incredibly rich Orcas, humpback About the fascinating ecosystem of this whales, dolphins, behaviours and wildlife hotspot porpoises, seals and communication of sea lions killer whales

18 Johnstone Strait & Blackfish Sound Whales By Sails

Johnstone Strait and Blackfish Sound are world-famous for the killer whale (orca) populations that inhabit these waters. Each year, large numbers of killer whales congregate in this region to feed on migrating wild Pacific salmon and abundant populations of seals, dolphins and porpoises.

19 This 6-day sailing expedition aboard our classic schooner Passing Cloud allows us to observe, photograph and learn about killer whales, humpback whales, and many other marine mammals, as well as experience the marine wilderness of Northern Vancouver Island. Make sure to have your camera ready as we expect to witness many whales and dolphins as they hop, breach, tail slap, feed, and socialize. Traveling under sail at every opportunity, this expedition connects us to the stunning marine wildlife of this region and the ecosystems that support them.

6-days / 5-nights

Please inquire for 2017 dates.

Please inquire for 2017 rates.

Departs from / Returns to: Port McNeill

What’s Included? All meals, accommodation, transportation, user fees, use of onboard gear and resources, and rubber boots. What’s not included? 5% GST, travel and accommodation before and after the expedition, gratuities, any personal expenses incurred due to weather, logistical delays, delayed departures of chartered aircraft, taxis, ferries.

Port Hardy

BROUGHTON ARCHIPELAGO MARINE PROVINCIAL PARK

Sointula BLACKFISH BRITISH SOUND COLUMBIA Port McNeill Alert Bay

VANCOUVER Telegraph Cove VANCOUVER ISLAND JOHNSTONE STRAIT Robson Bight

20 Sample Itinerary: British Columbia’s Johnstone Strait and Blackfish Sound Thrilling experience, we enjoyed every minute, especially the wonderful immersion in the Outer Day Shores World. Life is all about 1 experience & learning and we go We start our expedition from the northern Vancouver away with much to think about. Island community of Port McNeill, where we board our floating home for the next 6-days, the schooner Hans Van De Sande and Sharon Sullivan Passing Cloud. After settling into our cabins and attending a comprehensive safety briefing, we set sail for Johnstone Strait. As we journey to our overnight anchorage, be sure to keep a sharp eye out for the many orcas and other whales that congregate in this region each summer.

Day 2

Today we are on the hunt to discover the region’s diverse marine wildlife, including killer whales and Pacific white-sided dolphins. We will spend most of the day observing the daily behaviours of the Northern Vancouver Island Resident killer whales that frequent this region during the summer months. We expect to encounter killer whales feeding, resting, socializing, travelling, breaching, spy hopping, or tail slapping. Following our day at sea, we set anchor for the evening and enjoy a casual shore walk on a nearby island, and discuss the photo-identification techniques used to monitor these fascinating creatures.

21 Day 3

This morning we travel to the outskirts of the Robson Bight Killer Whale Ecological Reserve in Johnstone Strait, a unique sanctuary for orca. We are likely to encounter a number of killer whales pods or family groups on route to visit the unique “rubbing beaches” found within the reserve. We’ll use our underwater hydrophone to listen to the vocalizations that killer whales use to communicate with one another and differentiate among family units. We follow that up by setting sail and cruising the nearby waters to the sounds of only wind and water moving around us.

Day 5

Today, our last full day on the water, we’ll have a number of options available to us. Depending on the interests of our group, we may decide to spend the day observing killer whales and humpback whales, sailing, sea kayaking, or walking along the beach. A beautiful forest walk to visit Eagle Eye, an observation platform where BC Park wardens monitor the movements of killer whales and visiting vessels are other possible activities for the day.

Day 4 This morning we’ll explore our scenic anchorage via sea kayak, zodiac tour, or shore excursion. We will then spend the rest of our morning observing and photographing the large numbers of humpback whales, Dall’s porpoises, and Pacific white-sided dolphins congregating in Blackfish Sound and Queen Charlotte Day Strait. In the afternoon, we visit the historic boardwalk community of Telegraph Cove and the Killer Whale 6 Interpretive Centre. This facility provides a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the biology, ecology, This morning we wake up early and set sail for our and conservation of killer whales and other marine last chance to spot more marine wildlife – perhaps mammals in this region. even some of the mammal-eating transient killer whales, a lone Minke whale, or a super-pod of Pacific white-sided dolphins! Once arriving back in Port McNeill, we disembark and say farewell to this spectacular region, with many fresh memories of our adventures on the open sea.

22 British Columbia’s Great Bear Rainforest 9-days searching for salmon, bears, whales, and wolves in the largest coastal temperate forest in the world One of National Geographic’s 20 places to see in 2014

Discover Encounter Learn Abundant wildlife in the Iconic bears and coastal How wild Pacific salmon largest coastal temperate temperate rainforests define the ecosystem forest in the world

23 British Columbia’s Great Bear Rainforest Salmon, Bears, Whales, and Wolves

The Great Bear Rainforest is one of the largest intact coastal temperate forests in the world. Extending from northern Vancouver Island to Alaska, and covering more than 70,000km2 (24,000mi2), this area is home to spectacular wildlife including whales and dolphins, bears and wolves, sea lions and sea otters. This 9-day expedition aboard our classic schooner, the Passing Cloud, gives us the chance to explore this beautiful ecosystem and learn how it depends so critically on wild Pacific salmon.

24 Kitimat We will have the opportunity to follow the salmon (Haida First Nation) life cycle, visit the First Nations communities of Bella Bella and Klemtu, encounter marine mammals on the open sea, and potentially catch a glimpse of the rare white Kermode or “Spirit” bear.

Our 9-day expedition through the Great Bear BRITISH Rainforest starts and ends in the Heiltsuk First Nation COLUMBIA community of Bella Bella. Travelling deep into the heart of the Great Bear, as far north as the Gitga’at Nation community of Hartley Bay, we circumnavigate Hartley Bay (Gitga’at First Nation) Princess Royal Island in search of salmon, bears, whales and wolves. VANCOUVER

9-days / 8-nights

2016 departures: Sep 1, 10, 19, 28

Price per person: $5600 CAD PRINCESS ROYAL ISLAND Departs from / Returns to: Bella Bella

What’s Included? Klemtu All meals, accommodation, transportation, user fees, (Kitasoo/Xaixais First Nation) use of onboard gear and resources, and rubber boots. What’s not included? 5% GST, travel and accommodation before and after the expedition, gratuities, any personal expenses incurred due to weather, logistical delays, delayed departures of chartered aircraft, taxis, ferries. Bella Bella (Heiltsuk First Nation)

25 Sample Itinerary: British Columbia’s Great Bear Rainforest

Day 1 Our adventure begins in the Heiltsuk First Nations community of Bella Bella, a short flight from Vancouver International Airport. Upon boarding our schooner Passing Cloud and settling into accommodations, we set sail and begin our journey north into the heart of Canada’s Great Bear Rainforest. As we slice through the waters of the Seaforth Channel we’ll be on the lookout for our first wildlife sightings - humpback whales, sea otters, elephant seals, and killer whales. Later in the afternoon, we set down our anchor in a small coastal estuary and go ashore for our first taste of the coastal temperate rainforest ecosystem.

It’s virtually impossible to find the adequate words to express my Day gratitude and wonder for such a 2 magical week. The fact that such Today gets started with an early morning visit to one natural beauty, such isolated of the rainforest estuaries, an enclosed body of water wilderness, still exists gives me with multiple rivers and streams running into it, to hope for our world. observe and photograph wildlife. After exploring this area for the morning, we continue our travels north, Megan McCaslin, Outer Shores Traveller potentially spotting humpback whales, dolphins, and porpoises. In the afternoon we visit our first major river system, where we find a comfortable spot to sit and wait to observe grizzly bears fishing for salmon.

Day 3

This morning we have breakfast while sailing north through the Princess Royal Channel, en route to Khutze Inlet, renowned for its towering granite cliffs, waterfalls, snow capped mountain peaks, and wildlife – especially grizzly bears. We’ll use our inflatable zodiac to travel deep into this coastal estuary ecosystem, which is an excellent habitat for spawning salmon, coastal grizzly bears, and wolves.

26 Day 4 We continue our exploration of Khutze Inlet with an early morning photography and wildlife expedition into the estuary via sea kayak. Next, we head back aboard Passing Cloud and travel north in search of the iconic spirit (or Kermode) bear, which are actually black bears with a rare gene that produces completely white fur. After we anchor in Bishop Bay Marine Park for the evening, we head ashore to enjoy a soak in one of the natural hot springs in the area. Day Day 7 5 Today we hope to catch a glimpse of the coastal wolves that inhabit the Great Bear Rainforest. We Today we visit the bear-viewing stands operated by plan to visit small coastal streams in this region, the Gitga’at First Nation, where we’ll have an excellent surrounded by ancient spruce and cedar trees, which chance of observing spirit bears and black bears provide ideal habitats for wolves and bears. We also fishing for salmon in a small coastal stream. We have time to explore, photograph, and view wildlife spend the majority of the day quietly observing and in this area via sea kayaks, inflatable boat, and shore photographing the salmon, bears, and other wildlife excursions. from the viewing stands at the edge of the stream. Later this afternoon, we travel a short distance to our overnight anchorage as we begin our southward Day journey along the west side of Princess Royal Island. 8 This morning we pass through Myers Narrows en route to the Kitasoo/Xaixais First Nation community of Klemtu. We are welcomed to this remote coastal community with a walking tour and a guided visit of their traditional Big House. In the afternoon we sail south through Finlayson Channel and Milbanke Sound, getting to experience the outer coast before anchoring overnight in the vicinity of Seaforth Channel, near Bella Bella.

Day 6 Travelling south into Camano Sound, we spend the morning on the lookout for humpback, fin, and killer Day whales that congregate here each summer and fall. 9 Weather and time permitting, we’ll go ashore to visit whale researchers who live in the area year round As we travel the short distance to Bella Bella this and track the whales in this region. In the afternoon, morning we hope for last minute wildlife sightings, we spend our time sailing through this stunning area and enjoy the pristine landscapes and seascapes of before anchoring for the night in Laredo Inlet. the Great Bear Rainforest. Once we arrive, we say our farewells to the Great Bear Rainforest before disembarking and heading to the airport.

27 British Columbia’s Gulf Islands National Park 5-days of sailing and exploring the nature and cultures of the Salish Sea Experience the Mediterranean climate of this unique island archipelago

Discover Encounter Learn The marine wilderness of Seals, sea lions, porpoises, How the Coast Salish First BC’s Southern Gulf Islands ravens and eagles Nations lived among these Archipelago islands for thousands of years

28 British Columbia’s Gulf Islands National Park Discover the Salish Sea

For thousands of years Coast Salish First Nations have called this collection of islands and inlets located between Vancouver Island and mainland British Columbia home. Today, the Salish Sea draws visitors for its unique Mediterranean climate and marine and land ecosystems teeming with wildlife that includes seabirds, seals, sea lions, humpback whales, orcas, porpoises, diverse intertidal life, and rare plant communities. The Gulf Islands National Park Reserve was established in 2003 to safeguard this ecologically and culturally sensitive region.

29 This expedition aboard our classic wooden schooner Passing Cloud provides the opportunity to explore, Nanaimo photograph, and experience the many islands, beaches and forests, fascinating ecology, and cultural and natural history of this region.

3-days / 2-nights to 5-days / 4-nights

2016 departures: Oct 14, 17, 21, 24

Price per person: $995 – $2400

Departs from / Returns to: Port Sidney

VANCOUVER ISLAND What’s Included? All meals, accommodation, transportation, user fees, use of onboard gear and resources, rubber boots. What’s not included? 5% GST, travel and accommodation before and after Sidney BRITISH COLUMBIA the expedition, gratuities, any personal expenses incurred due to weather, logistical delays, delayed departures of chartered aircraft, taxis, ferries.

VANCOUVER

Victoria

30 Sample Itinerary: British Columbia’s Gulf Islands National Park

Day I have searched the globe 1 for authentic trips to build Our adventure begins at Port Sidney Marina, located inspiration, appreciation, and a just a short walk from the charming seaside town of sense that we are all connected. Sidney, British Columbia, and less than 10 km from Victoria International Airport. Upon arriving and Outer Shores and Passing Cloud boarding our schooner, Passing Cloud, we set sail gave this to our family. for the Salish Sea, the network of coastal waterways named for the Coast Salish First Nations who used the Melissa Hills, Outer Shores Traveller waterways as vital trade routes and as an important source for food. As we make our way through the intricate waterways, we are keenly on the lookout for the pods of salmon-eating orcas (killer whales) that reside here.

Day 2

This morning, we start with a beach and forest walk on Russell Island. Part of the National Park Reserve, this island was once a First Nations village and in the 1880s was settled by Hawaiian immigrants. We explore the island’s cliffs, coves and sand beaches, and stroll through the Douglas fir and arbutus – a tall broadleaf evergreen tree – forest. In the afternoon, we set sail for Haro Strait, a major entrance point for the Fraser River salmon run, where we search for whales, porpoises and seabirds.

31 Day 3

Today we explore the intriguing intertidal ecosystems and beaches on Tumbo Island. The island’s rich and historic past has included fur farming, timber harvesting and coal mining, but today it is mainly forested with old growth Douglas firs and Garry oak meadows. Historically, Coast Salish First Nations found safe harbour on Tumbo Island during their journeys across the strait and while hand trolling for fish offshore. It remains an important spiritual site to this day. In the afternoon, we have a unique opportunity to observe a sea lion haul-out, where hundreds of these sea mammals take to the rocky shore, as Passing Cloud sails past Tumbo Island’s East Point.

Day 4 Our day begins with a hike through the regenerating Garry oak and arbutus forest on the mountainous Saturna Island, leading to an unspoiled view of Narvaez Bay. In the afternoon, we take advantage of our sea kayaks and paddle along the quiet shoreline, while also having time for a beach walk and zodiac tour of the island’s surrounding waters. Later, we raise all sails and enjoy cruising gracefully through Boundary Passage and Haro Strait, on the look out for southern resident killer whales, Dall’s porpoises, and other marine mammals and seabirds. Our overnight anchorage is located on Pender Island.

Day 5

On the final day of our expedition, after one more delicious breakfast, we make our way back to Port Sidney to say our farewells and disembark by late morning.

32 Thank you for making every day an adventure and opportunity to learn and enjoy this wonderful coast and all it has to offer. A great crew and a great trip.

Lynn and Dave Haggarty, Outer Shores Travellers

33 The beauty and gentleness of the whole trip takes you away from the crazy pace of the world. The peace stays with you.

George Brinkman, Outer Shores Traveller

34 If you have any questions about our 360 B Harbour Road expeditions, or a specific detail about the Victoria, British Columbia expedition you have booked, please let V9A 3S1, Canada us know by phone or visit our website for more information. [email protected]

Photo Credits: James Thompson, Ryan Flett, Gem 1-855-714-7233 (Toll Free in North America) Salsberg, Tavish Campbell, and Russell Markel. 1-250-220-2311 (Local and International)

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