Kayaking the Great Bear Rainforest (30.277)

Itinerary

• Day
  1

  Some folks may wish to start their travel towards Bella Bella the day before the trip, however we have also scheduled the start and end dates so it is possible to arrive in Bella Bella on the day the tour starts, either via ferry from Port Hardy on Vancouver Island or plane from Vancouver or Port Hardy. Please note: If you are traveling by ferry you will likely need to spend the night before in Port Hardy as the ferry leaves Port Hardy at 7:30am, arriving in Bella Bella at 12:50pm on the first day of your trip, just in time to meet your guides. On the last day the return ferry to Port Hardy departs Bella Bella at 6:10pm and arrives in Port Hardy at 11:30pm. Ferry reservations highly recommended.
  
  We start and end this tour in the Heiltsuk community of Bella Bella, located on the Central Coast of BC (a 2.5 hour flight from Vancouver). The Great Bear Rainforest is the largest intact temperate rainforest in the world which means camping amongst giant sitka spruce trees, ancient red cedars and western hemlocks that are nothing short of awe inspiring. The area’s cold water and great tidal exchanges – not to mention healthy kelp forests – provide for ample oxygen in the water, supporting an incredible diversity of sea life from tiny shore creatures to majestic whales, dolphins and porpoises.
  
  On this day, we meet our guides in central Bella Bella at the government dock. Here we will load kayaks and gear onto our water taxi for the shuttle out to our first campsite. Once there, we will sort out gear and prepare for our adventure, beginning with an orientation to the kayaks and gear, learning efficient paddling techniques and safety procedures. Once everyone is comfortable with their boats we’ll launch for our first strokes in the Great Bear Sea.

  Meals: Lunch, Dinner

  Accomodation: Camping
• Day
  2

  From this day to day 7 we explore remote area while we work with the conditions and remain open to adventure. Each day, your guides will assess the weather, tides, and sea state to determine the destination for the day. Flexibility is key. Depending on the weather and exact drop-off location, we may plan to paddle the remote Goose Group Islands (weather depending), McMullins and Tribal Group. Moving southeast we’ll enter the spectacular islands and beaches of the Hakai Conservancy, continuing in the direction of Calvert Island.

  Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  Accomodation: Camping
• Day
  3

  Depending on the weather and exact drop-off location, we may plan to paddle the remote Goose Group Islands (weather depending), McMullins and Tribal Group. Moving southeast we’ll enter the spectacular islands and beaches of the Hakai Conservancy, continuing in the direction of Calvert Island.

  Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  Accomodation: Camping
• Day
  4

  The Great Bear Rainforest is the largest intact temperate rainforest in the world which means camping amongst giant sitka spruce trees, ancient red cedars and western hemlocks that are nothing short of awe inspiring. The area’s cold water and great tidal exchanges – not to mention healthy kelp forests – provide for ample oxygen in the water, supporting an incredible diversity of sea life from tiny shore creatures to majestic whales, dolphins and porpoises.

  Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  Accomodation: Camping
• Day
  5

  The diversity and abundance of wildlife in the Pacific Northwest is one of our privileges on this trip. With river run-off from the mountains, ocean currents, tiderips, eddies and upwelling these waters are among the most productive on earth. From the rich marine life of colourful plants and invertebrates, seabirds, shorebirds, waterfowl, mink, otter, seals, sea lions, dolphins, and whales, to the land animals of deer, raccoons, cougars, wolves and bears, we are bound to see something.

  Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  Accomodation: Camping
• Day
  6

  There are so many beautiful places to stay you will be hard pressed to choose a favourite campsite. Each site has unique attributes either tucked in amongst towering forests, atop ancient village sites or overlooking wildlife rich waters. This is a true expedition style trip, which means we will move from camp to camp each day.

  Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  Accomodation: Camping
• Day
  7

  We will traverse both the relatively open waters of Hakai Passage, Kildidt Sound as well as the more protected islands of the and islets in one of the most stunning seascapes around. This area has been featured in many documentaries and publications and is part of one of the largest protected areas on the coast because of it’s stunning beauty.

  Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  Accomodation: Camping
• Day
  8

  We will meet a water taxi this morning for transport back to Bella Bella. We expect to arrive in Bella Bella by midday, allowing us time for a quick visit to the village before either heading to the airport to catch an afternoon flight back to Vancouver or departing by BC Ferries. If flying you can expect to be back in Vancouver between 3 and 5pm, or if travelling with BC Ferries you’ll arrive in Port Hardy at 11:30pm. (Please note these times were correct at time of publication – please double check before planning your travel).

  Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  Accomodation: Accommodation by Customer