The Ancient North American Rainforest
Explore the wild and remote regions of the central coast of British Columbia on a Great Bear Rainforest tour in the Autumn. The fall months bring the return of the salmon and with it a feeding frenzy to be witnessed. Whales, marine mammals, marine birds, bears and more all gather in this region to feast on the bountiful salmon that have returned to spawn in the rivers. This is the best chance to witness the rare spirit bear at a salmon stream or see a mother grizzly teach her cub how to catch a salmon in a major river estuary.
Great Bear Rainforest tours set out to explore fjordlands, remote islands, river estuaries, and west coast beaches. Get to know the intricate and complex temperate rainforest and the species that thrive here, with expert guides and an informative naturalist whose knowledge of the natural history will be shared with you.
- Remarkable Wildlife
- Land of the Spirit Bear
- Indigenous Culture
- Incredible Landscapes
Availability is always subject to confirmation. Please check with us before booking flights
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Cascadia
| Cabins | 12 |
|---|---|
| Length | 42 metres |
| Launched | 2007 |
Cascadia is a go-anywhere, expedition style catamaran. She accommodates up to 24 guests in 12 luxurious cabins, with a crew of 10. She is unlike any other vessel offering expeditions on the British Columbia coast, having been built specifically for high-quality, boutique cruises. Light, spacious and comfortable, she is also capable of reaching the wildest, most naturally rich places on the coast. Her small size and guest numbers provide an authentic, human-scale experience that respects the carrying capacity of coastal inlets and communities.
Ship And Accommodations Find comfort and solitude in your private cabin or enjoy time in any of the interior or outdoor lounges, or the “open” bridge. Cascadia’s large windows bring the outside in, and her separate dining area becomes a sophisticated “long table” event for meals. Her decks are wide and welcoming, with seating areas on different levels.
Salon Large windows surround the salon making it a perfect place to look for whales while staying protected, chat with other guests while lounging on our comfortable sofas, or enjoy a beverage from the nearby bar.
Dining Area Enjoy our chefs’ fine west-coast influenced creations while watching the sun go down. Sit and discuss your day’s adventure with your captain, afloat in a remote natural anchorage.
Terrace Lounge And Dining Area Dine alfresco on temperate evenings, lounge with your morning coffee, or watch the world go by during the day. This area is the perfect mix of outside and inside.
Bridge of Cascadia Cascadia’s bridge is open to you. You’ll have 180-degree views from here, along with being able to learn about navigation and the vessel systems from our crew. On the port side, you may also enjoy our indoor-outdoor loveseat. You can watch the world go by from behind a protective window, but still have quick access to the fresh air and the deck for whale watching.
Top Deck & Hot Tub Lounge on a chaise, soak under the stars, or enjoy the bird’s eye view of the ship and the world around her from Cascadia’s new top deck.
Cabins All cabins have individual climate control, wardrobes and an outside location, with windows for natural light. All have ensuites. All are ‘outside’ cabins, with windows for natural light.
Kayaks, Shore Boats, Naturalist Tools Cascadia has 6 double and 2 single kayaks for paddling in coves and bays, as well as two beautiful landing craft style tenders, custom designed for our program. She carries a suite of tools for exploring the natural world, including a hydrophone for listening to whales. Her library contains books on the cultural history and nature of the BC and Alaska coast.
Deck plans are for illustrative purposes only – The actual ship and cabin layout may differ.
Maple Leaf
| Length | 28 metres |
|---|---|
| Passenger capacity | 8 |
About the Maple Leaf
Maple Leaf is a classic, 92-foot schooner. She accommodates up to 8 guests in 4 semi-private sleeping areas, with 3 shared washrooms, and a crew of 4 or 5.
Maple Leaf is a sea-kindly vessel with a long range. She can take you to the coast’s wildest, remotest corners more comfortably and safely than most other vessels. Her sails and 40,000-pound keel keep her steady, and her crew’s warmth and culinary delights keep your soul soaring.
A Classic Wooden Sail Boat
Her curved deck planks, mahogany and glass butterfly hatches, fir beams, mahogany cabinetry and the sweep of her long cap rail are a pleasure to look at.
Modern Comforts with Edwardian Elegance
Maple Leaf’s interior is in harmony with her heritage: modern conveniences and good space design, melded with a decor that nods to her Edwardian past.
Dining Lounge
Unwind with books, journaling, and conversations in our cozy onboard library and dining lounge. We dine on deck or in this lounge, depending on the weather.
Galley
From the tiny galley, Maple Leaf’s chefs produce incredible meals and snacks fresh each day. Enjoy fine meals and discussions about the day’s adventures with the crew and naturalist.
Wheelhouse Lounge
The captain and first mate skillfully navigate and plan routes here. They’re happy to share insights and explain the systems. This space features natural history guidebooks and showcases mahogany and Douglas fir craftsmanship that shines throughout the vessel.
Sleeping Areas & Heads (Bathrooms)
The main cabin accommodates eight guests with divided sleeping areas, each featuring large comfortable beds, storage space, reading lamps, and cozy bedding. There are three washrooms with hot water showers.
Decks
Maple Leaf has lots of deck space, on which people may choose to sit and watch the coast’s scenery, chat with others, steer the ship, or have quiet time alone.
Shore Boats
Our two zodiacs provide ample space and great access to explore along shorelines, up rivers, near wildlife colonies, and onto beaches.
Kayaks
While at anchor, enjoy one of our two single kayaks. The kayaks are stable and easy to use, with assistance from crew getting in and out.
Fishing Tackle
We have fishing rods and lures ready for jigging. Obtain your fishing licence prior to your trip and take a turn at jigging for halibut or lingcod.
Other Equipment
The ship provides guidebooks, visual aids, and a hydrophone to listen to whale sounds, enhancing appreciation of local flora, fauna, and marine phenomena.
Swell
Vessel Type: Converted Tug
Passenger Capacity: 12
Length: 88 feet / 26.8 meters
Swell is an 88-foot converted coastal tug refitted to deliver a warm, character-rich expedition experience. Her solid timber construction, classic lines and thoughtful interior upgrades create an atmosphere of authenticity paired with comfort. With just 12 guests across six private cabins, the ship offers an intimate environment supported by a small, expert crew. Spaces such as the wood-panelled salon, panoramic wheelhouse, covered aft deck lounges, and upper-deck viewing areas provide calm, inviting places to relax between shore excursions. Daily life revolves around well-crafted meals from the galley, quiet moments in the hot tub, wildlife watching from the bow and easy access to the coastline via Zodiacs and kayaks.
Her compact size and rugged build allow her to reach locations inaccessible to larger vessels, giving guests close contact with coastal ecosystems, remote anchorages and wildlife-rich shorelines. Purpose-designed expedition tools—including two rigid-hull inflatables, four clear-bottom kayaks, fishing gear and a hydrophone—support a wide range of activities. Cabins vary from generous suites to efficient, well-designed smaller rooms, all with private ensuites and exterior doors for direct connection to the outdoors. The result is a boutique expedition platform that blends maritime heritage with practical comfort, delivering a human-scale, highly immersive coastal cruising experience.
