Arrival into Terrace 

We highly recommend arriving in Terrace the day prior to the trip start and staying overnight at accommodation of  your choice. This ensures the group departs on time as there can be unforeseen weather delays when travelling in  coastal regions. You can refer to the accommodation suggestions listed in this itinerary. Please note that we will be  picking guests up from select hotels the next morning – see “Day 1” for locations.  

Terrace has many remnants of its industrious past, such as the Heritage Park Museum, the “Old Bridge’ (National  Historic Site of Canada), and the George Little House – the original founder of Terrace. You can view local art at the  Terrace Art Gallery and purchase indigenous art and gifts at the House of Sim-oi-Ghets. There are plenty of cafes, bars, and restaurants to sit down and eat at as well. 

Shuttle from select hotels in Terrace to the MK Bay Marina in Kitimat are included in your trip fees. Any transportation  beyond this service is the responsibility of the guest.  

Trip Start – Day 1 (Sept. 21st)

Following breakfast, you will meet the rest of the group and shuttle driver from Kalum Kabs at one of the two pick-up  locations: 

• Comfort Inn & Suites 
• Holiday Inn Express & Suites 

Expect the transfer to MK Bay Marina in Kitimat to take about 50 minutes. Once at the Marina you will be met by a  Bluewater Crew member at the top of the ramp to the docks. Upon boarding the vessel, cabins will be assigned and  following introductions and safety orientation we will set sail for the Great Bear Rainforest.  

We will spend each evening in different and remote anchorages with wonderful views. During our daily shore or small  boat excursions, our onboard naturalist will help identify different coastal plants, animals, birds, and marine life.  Interested participants can help keep a species list for the trip. There will be time to explore the protected waters using  our stable sea-kayaks. 

Days 2 – 3 (Sept. 22nd -23rd)

Heading south down Douglas Channel, keep your eyes trained on the shoreline for foraging bears and other wildlife  while underway. We see a variety of birdlife throughout the region including bald eagles and the “trickster’ ravens. If  weather and tides permit, a wander along remote beaches and wildlife trails will show evidence of bears and possibly  wolves in the area. 

As we explore the waters of southern Douglas Channel (Wright Sound, Squally Channel, and Whale Channel), and at  various other places along our journey, we expect to encounter humpback whales. We keep an eye out for large blows  and hope to witness interesting behaviours like breaches, pectoral fin slaps, spy-hopping, and possibly bubble-net  feeding. We will take the time to observe these amazing, 15-metre-long creatures whenever the opportunity arises. 

Fin whales have also been spotted more often in recent years and we hope to have luck in coming across these massive  and speedy cetaceans. We also hope for chances to encounter other marine mammals like orca, porpoise, and Steller  sea lions – an inquisitive species that are expert, deep-water predators with lively haul-outs. If time allows, we will make  a stop to visit local whale researchers to learn about their fascinating work.

Although we travel in protected waters with more limited sailing opportunities, we hope for a steady wind to set the  sails and enjoy the silence and serenity of nature. With a good low tide, we may also explore the shoreline for different  species of colourful sea stars, anemone, and algae. 

Day 4 (Sept. 24th)

As we travel along Princess Royal Island, we keep a close watch on the shoreline, since this is the best-known area for  seeing the rare Spirit (also known as Kermode) bear. We are fortunate to spend a day with local Gitga’at First Nation  guides, who refer to the white bear as Moksgm’ol. They will take us to their favourite bear viewing areas. With a little  

patience, we hope to be lucky enough to see black bears and the elusive, all-white Spirit bear fishing for salmon at  quiet spawning streams hidden in the thick of the forest. These white bears are black bears expressing a genetic  variation resulting in about ten percent of the area’s population having light coloured fur.  

There may be an opportunity to visit Bishop Bay hot springs for a soothing soak in a unique setting amidst the eclectic  collection of fishing floats. 

Days 5 – 7  (Sept. 25th -27th)

We keep watch for bears and coastal wolves along the shoreline to Khutze Inlet (K’ootz/Khutze Conservancy). Its  beautiful river valley provides a rich estuary, and we hope for some good grizzly viewing at the water’s edge. Spawning  salmon also attract a wide variety of coastal birds, such as belted kingfishers, American dippers, Bonaparte gulls,  common mergansers, and mighty bald eagles. 

We will voyage deep into the coastal mountains to explore a large provincial park called Fiordland Conservancy. Beneath towering granite cliff faces and impressive waterfalls, we will explore remote estuaries with the expectation of  seeing grizzly bears attracted by the spawning salmon – hopefully some have cubs in tow! 

Time permitting, we may visit the Kitasoo/Xai’xais First Nations village of Klemtu to see the ceremonial Big House that  was recently built by the local community. 

Day 8 –  (Sept. 28th) Trip Finish in Bella Bella 

As we approach the waters of Milbanke Sound keep watch for sea otters. With the nuclear testing at Amchitka between  1968 and 1972, 89 sea otters were transplanted to Vancouver Island. Some found their way to the central coast. You  might spot them in the kelp beds wrapped in the leaves of kelp to anchor themselves against the currents. Although  sightings of these growing colonies have become more frequent, their population here is still considered vulnerable  and of special concern. 

Our trip finishes in the small First Nations coastal town of Bella Bella. Located on remote Campbell Island, Bella Bella – also known as Waglisla – is the home of the Heiltsuk First Nation. Their traditional territory is spread out over 16,658  square kilometers. Bella Bella a town of about 1450 residents is located 181km north of Vancouver Island and 144km  west of Bella Coola and is only accessible by air or ferry/boat. 

We will arrive at the Bella Bella Municipal Dock just before noon in time to catch the afternoon Pacific Coastal flight to  Vancouver, BC.  

Here you will be met by Bella Shuttle and transported to the airport. Shuttle transportation from Bella Bella Municipal  Dock to Bella Bella Airport is included in your trip fees.