Destinations & Sample Yacht Charter Itineraries
Pacific Northwest: British Columbia, Great Bear Rainforest
By m/v Pacific Yellowfin
Please understand that this is just a sample itinerary. While cruising in the Pacific Northwest, tidal streams, weather conditions, and wildlife determine our routes and destinations.
Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
British Columbia, Great Bear Rainforest
The Broughton Archipelago forms the buffer between the rough open waters of the Queen Charlotte Sound and the narrow convoluted waterways of the inner Inside Passage. At its western edge, rugged little islands with unusual names such as White Cliff and Fog Islets take the rough weather blowing in from the northwest. Deep surge channels, steep cliffs and stunted trees are common features. Further east larger islands offer protected anchorages for the many yachts that cruise these waters but still offering an "edge of the wild" experience. The archipelago offers an exceptionally rich marine environment.
7-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Vancouver - Bella Bella - Fjordland Conservancy
Arrive in Bella Bella airport and transfer to the Pacific Yellowfin. The first destination, Fjordland Provincial Park, is a wonderful place to explore by boat and kayak with some of the most sensational scenery on the coast. Mussel Inlet is the major estuary here. It’s a 14 km fjord with stunning waterfalls and sheer granite cliffs, with huge numbers of spawning salmon and high concentrations of Grizzly and Black Bears. This area is also home to the Kitasoo First Nations. Choose a guided kayaking trip or an easy hike to introduce yourself to this magnificent part of the world.
Day 2: Fjordland - Queen Charlotte Sound
Travel through Queen Charlotte Sound to the river estuary, a major salmon river and estuary for grizzly and waterfowl. Explore this area and a nearby waterfall and undeveloped hot spring by kayak or zodiac. Across the sound is another river with an impressive waterfall that drops into the channel. The Kitasoo consider this river one of the most important fish habitats in the area. This is a great place to view bears and is one of the better spots to wait for the Spirit Bear to appear. Enjoy guided Bear viewing by boat and excellent seas kayaking in the Inlet.
Day 3: Queen Charlotte Sound - Bishop Bay
From Queen Charlotte Sound we will journey north to Bishop Bay. Bishop Bay in the fall is a congregating area for feeding humpback whales. Visit a well-developed hot spring set in spectacular scenery. At a nearby river there is some of the best Spirit Bear viewing in the area. A local Gitgaat Guide will take us into the river to search for these special mammals with thousands of spawning salmon running the river below. Other wildlife to be encountered are otters, wolf, deer and the ubiquitous Bald Eagles.
Days 4 & 5: Bishop Bay - Princess Royal Island
Explore Princess Royal Island the fourth largest island on the BC Coast. From Bishop Bay travel west to begin your exploration of this incredible island rich in wildlife and adventure.
Day 6: Hartley Bay and Barnard Harbour
From Hartley Bay travel south to Barnard Harbour, a beautiful protected anchorage which will be the base for a variety of adventures and tours. This area is also home to the Spirit Bear and a very rich marine environment.
Day 7: Hartley Bay
Additional Spirit Bear viewing can be done here. Tour the village of Hartley Bay and experience the rich culture of this special community. We will have a traditional dinner, village tour and time spent with close friends.
Day 8: Hartley Bay – Bella Bella – Vancouver
Say farewell to the North Coast as the seaplane arrives to take you back to Bella Bella and Vancouver.
m/v Pacific Yellowfin
Remember, there are many variations to this sample itinerary. Your charter will be customized to fulfill the dreams of your charter party. That's the beauty of a crewed charter yacht sailing vacation.
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