Wilderness Adventures

Join our ship, the Great Bear II, and her Crew as we explore some of the most remote, picturesque and unspoiled locations on the coast of British Columbia (and planet Earth) ! Choose from our scheduled departures or have us help design a Custom Trip that's just right for you.

In late spring 2012 we will embark on two trips through the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest to our Inlets of The Grizzly off B.C.'s Inside Passage. Join our 9 day or 8 day trip to explore the ancient rainforests and awe inspiring estuaries that are home to our magnificent coastal Grizzly and Black Bears.

Join us in June amidst some of the most powerful landscapes on earth, for Islands at the Edge / the Inside Passage, as we follow, in part, the route of the proposed oil supertankers that would meet Enbridge's proposed pipeline from Alberta's tar sands to Kitimat in B.C.. From waterways carved out by receding glaciers where granite walls rise thousands of feet out of the sea to the rugged outer coast where the sea meets beaches edged in ethereal rainforest, you will discover why these oil SUPER tankers must not be allowed to transit some of the most pristine and complex ecosystems on earth!

Long summer days are spent in Haida Gwaii (the Queen Charlottes), enjoying the awesome biodiversity of the islands and speaking with the Haida Watchmen about their amazing culture. Walk through ancient Haida villages, some with mortuary poles still standing. On Hotspring Island, pick one of many natural pools to sit in while you enjoy sweeping ocean vistas, as the Haida have done for centuries.

In September, Islands of the Spirit Bear, Waters of the Humpbacks offer Spirit Bear viewing as these elusive bears come to feed on wild crab-apples and the returning salmon. As we travel between bear viewing areas, witness the awesome displays of Humpback whale behaviour: full breaches, tail lobbing and bubblenet feeding.

We specialize in small group sizes of 2 - 6 guests, with an average of 4.4 guests per trip in 2011. 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 still maintaining the safety of the group. With our small group sizes and the spacious layout of the ship, our guests enjoy privacy, comfort, and personalized service as they experience British Columbia's most remote and spectacular locations. Our guests enjoy the most intimate experiences with nature — they are never just part of a crowd.

New trips to new areas are being offered each year, some co-led by well- known experts in their fields. In June 2012 we will travel, in part, the route that oil SUPER tankers would travel to Kitimat to pick up oil from the proposed Enbridge pipeline from Alberta's tar sands. See our 2012 schedule or contact us for other exciting options.

Whether you join us for one of our scheduled trips... or your own Custom (Private) Charter... or for a few hours or days closer to our home port of Vancouver, we would love to Welcome You Aboard!

"Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts." ~Rachel Carson

Copyright © 1998-2012 Ocean Adventures Charter Co. Ltd.