Sail into the narrow, winding fjords of northern British Columbia and enter the domain of the rare Spirit Bear. Also known as a Kermode bear, it is a variant of the North American black bear and can only be found in the pristine wilderness of the Great Bear Rainforest. The forest is roughly the size of Ireland and one of National Geographic’s “Places of a Lifetime.” It stretches 250 miles across the central and northern coast of British Columbia and encompases a quarter of the world’s coastal temperate rainforest. Hike along its salmon-rich streams, enter forests of towering cedars, and see the protected region’s abundant wildlife.
Discover the region's abundant wildlife
A diverse and healthy population of wildlife species thrive in the rainforest. Search for mountain goats, cougars, grizzly bears, as well as subspecies and genetically unique populations like the coastal grey wolves. The seas teem with killer whales, sea lions, sea otters, and more. Sail into the narrow Grenville Channel, which pinches to less than a quarter-mile across and is a gathering place for killer whales. Zodiac and kayak to a salmon run where bears come to feed.
Learn the history of First Nations people
Joining us aboard is a cultural interpreter who will share the legends and lore of their people and the lands we explore. In British Columbia see a coastal longhouse built of bark-stripped cedar and a museum’s collection of First Nations artifacts. And in Ketchikan visit the Totem Heritage Center to view a unique collection of 19th-century Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian totem poles recovered from abandoned villages.
Search for the Kermode Bear
Circumnavigate Gribbell Island, what the Valhalla Wilderness Society has dubbed “Mother Island of the White Bear,” in search of this elusive spirit bear. It is believed that 10 - 20 percent of bears in this region are born with the recessive gene that causes the white fur; fewer than 400 are estimated to exist.
Travel in excellent company
Explore under the sure guidance of an expedition leader, veteran naturalists, including a National Geographic certified photo instructor and an undersea specialist, plus a wellness specialist. Their knowledge and passion for the region is the key to your once-in-a-lifetime experience.
- Kayak deep into verdant fjords and along wildlife-rich shores
- Cruise by Zodiac in protected waters in search of grizzly, black, and Kermode bears
- Experience the silence as you stand among towering, monumental cedars
- Witness the surprisingly colorful undersea through video shot by our undersea specialist
- Soak in rustic hot spring pools—conditions and wildlife permitting
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.
National Geographic Venture
Launched 2018
Designed with over 50 years of expedition heritage, National Geographic Venture is able to explore the same remote locations as National Geographic have sought out for decades while setting a new standard in comfort and style. She will follow National Geographic Quest in featuring step-out balconies (available in 22 of the 50 spacious cabins), plus 6 sets of connecting cabins for families and groups; a Sun Deck bar, and a designated mudroom for expedition gear.
Comfortably accommodating 100 guests, Venture has a shallow draft depth, allowing us to navigate the same inner reaches and provide the same intimate experiences of the charismatic regions we explore. Her twin expedition craft landing platforms allow you to get on and off the ship quickly to take advantage of wildlife sightings and to ensure we maximize our time off the ship exploring. Designed with decades of expedition experience in the region, the purpose-built vessel also features open decks, generous windows, and specialty tools for exploration—the ideal platform for sailing into the fast-moving channels and shallow coves of Alaska and the Pacific Northwest and for exploring the tropical waterways of Central America.
Remotely Operated VehicleCapable of reaching 1,000 feet, far beyond the range of any Scuba diver, the ROV allows you to literally view parts of the undersea that are as unexplored as the moon. Chances are you, like many of our guests, will be struck by how surprisingly colorful undersea life is in these unlikely places. And this glimpse may fundamentally change how you view the ocean.
KayaksNational Geographic Venture is equipped with 24 two-person kayaks—a fleet large enough to ensure everyone who wants to can paddle at every opportunity.
Consequently, prior kayaking experience isn’t necessary—many of our guests have their first kayaking experience in extraordinary locations. Our custom-designed floating platform lets us deploy kayaks from the ship, or any location we want—including far from shore. Kayakers are usually free to explore where they want within boundaries set by the undersea specialist and officer of the watch.
Underwater cameraOur undersea specialist will dive often during your expedition, even in Alaska, with cold-water gear, to shoot high-definition, Cousteau-like footage of the deep. Colorful nudibranchs, swimming, plant-like crinoids, and mysterious fish with antifreeze blood that thrive in the frigid sea will give you an entirely new appreciation of the marine environment.
Video microscopeNaturalists will use the video microscope to help explain all elements of the environment, including tiny organisms that are the building block of the marine ecosystem. Spellbinding live views of krill at 80x magnification fills the high-definition screens in the lounge with vivid detail, and fills every onlooker with a sense of wonder at the importance of otherwise unobservable creatures.
HydrophoneThis underwater microphone is deployed to listen to the vocalizations of marine mammals. Real time transmissions of their eerie, haunting sounds can be broadcast through the ship or recorded for later playback. Few experiences in nature are as captivating as watching humpback whales feed close to the ship as their vocalizations play through the ship’s PA system.
Electronic chartsAn electronic chart showing the ship’s location, course, and speed is almost always on display in the lounge.
Open bridgeYou’ll find our captains are engaged, knowledgeable members of your expedition who are eager to share their passion with you. Venture’s open bridge features comfortable spaces to sit, enjoy the view, drink your morning coffee, or simply chat with the officers.
Snorkeling gear & wetsuitsOn warm weather itineraries where there will be snorkeling, you’ll select a mask, snorkel, fins, and wetsuit that remain yours for the duration of the expedition. There’s no need to pack and tote your own gear, although guests who prefer to are welcome to bring their own.
