What makes our Inside Passage & Salish Sea Fall Migration expedition so unique is its purpose: bringing our ships back home for the winter at the end of another wonderful expedition season. Originally reserved for the crew, this voyage has evolved into a unique experience for guests, offering a deeper connection to the natural rhythms and seascapes of the BC coast. Orcas glide gracefully through the waves, humpback whales breach against the horizon, and dolphins dance through nutrient-rich currents. Onshore, intertidal zones burst with vibrant colours as starfish, anemones, and nudibranchs reveal their delicate beauty. It’s a chance to immerse yourself in the raw energy and quiet splendour, history, and contemporary activities of this remarkable environment.
This stretch of the BC coast is a place of extraordinary beauty and profound ecological significance. Our 8-night Fall Migration voyage begins in the small coastal community of Port McNeill, and leads us through the intricate waterways of Johnstone Strait, Discovery Passage, the Salish Sea, and Southern Gulf Islands. Along this nearly 300-nautical mile (~600 km) journey, we’ll encounter breathtaking landscapes, from ancient coastal rainforests and rugged shorelines, to a diversity of marine life that truly defines the richness of these waters.
But more than simply a voyage along BC’s coastal wilderness, it’s also a journey through time. For thousands of years, the Kwakwaka’wakw and Coast Salish peoples have lived throughout these lands and waters. Their deep history is written in the shell middens, clam gardens, and village sites found throughout these regions. Through interpretive walks, zodiac excursions, and wildlife observation, we’ll experience the timeless interplay of nature and culture, leaving with a newfound appreciation for the fragile balance that sustains coastal communities, both ancient and contemporary.
Fall Migration Sample Itinerary
Day 1-2: Departure from Port McNeill – Johnstone Strait, Blackfish Sound, and Broughton Islands
Our journey into the Inside Passage begins at Port McNeill, where you’ll meet the crew, settle into your accommodations, and receive a safety briefing aboard the ship. From here, we set sail into western Johnstone Strait, a world-renowned corridor for marine mammals, particularly orcas, humpbacks, Pacific white-sided dolphins, and more recently, sea otters. We’ll explore the surrounding waters of Blackfish Sound and the Broughton Archipelago, enjoying breathtaking views and wildlife encounters as we cruise through this remarkable region. A favourite activity at this time of year is using our hydrophone to listen to vocalizing humpback whales as they prepare to migrate for the winter to both Hawaii and Mexico.
Days 3-4: Cruising Johnstone Strait, Discovery Passage, and Seymour Narrows
Continuing east through Johnstone Strait, we’ll travel this world-renowned route and marvel at this dramatic coastline and current-swept passages. We’ll stop to explore secluded bays and coves by kayak and inflatable skiff, and anchor overnight. As we approach Seymour Narrows, we’ll navigate this historic waterway, famous for its powerful tidal currents and incredible biodiversity. With luck, we’ll encounter bald eagles perched along the shorelines, sea lions basking on rocky islets, and humpback whales and porpoises feeding in these highly productive seas. Exiting Seymour Narrows, we’ll likely spend a night anchored on Quadra Island, across from the coastal hub of Campbell River, often referred to as the “Salmon Capital of the World”.
Days 5-6: Salish Sea and the Northern Gulf Islands
Continuing our journey south, we now enter a distinctly different marine ecosystem, the Salish Sea, formerly known as the Strait of Georgia. This entire region is the home of the the Coast Salish Nations. Stretching from Campbell River, the Discovery Islands, and Desolation Sound, all the way south to Puget Sound, on the USA side of the border, the marine ecology of this large inland sea is heavily influenced by the outflow of the mighty Fraser River. It’s here where each year, massive runs of chinook and sockeye salmon return to spawn, and have shaped the ecology and cultures of this region for thousands of years. Weather permitting, we’ll stop for a stroll around Mitlenatch Island Nature Provincial Park and learn about this unique island ecosystem. Further south, after a day of travel and sailing, we’re likely to spend a night anchored in the Sabine Channel Provincial Marine Park, nestled between Lasqueti and Texada Islands, and enjoy a walk to the remarkable homestead site on Jedediah Island.
Days 7-8: Nanaimo, Dodd Narrows, and Gulf Islands National Park Reserve
Over the next two days our homeward journey will take us past Gabriola Island and the port city of Nanaimo, through the narrow passage of Dodd Narrows, and into the Southern Gulf Islands. This is a stunningly beautiful island archipelago known for its uniquely dry Mediterranean climate, featuring Arbutus and Douglas Fir forests. We look forward to beach and forest interpretive walks in this region, exploring it’s unique biodiversity and cultural legacies, including ancient Indigenous clams gardens. This is also a great area for us to set sail and bask and reflect upon all we’ve seen and learned over the past week or so. On our final night, we’ll anchor in the vicinity of Salt Spring Island or Saanich Inlet and enjoy a celebratory dinner, reflecting upon and sharing stories of our journey and adventures together.
Day 9: Disembarkation at Brentwood Bay
Our expedition concludes at Brentwood Bay, nestled on the Saanich Peninsula, conveniently located near the Victoria International Airport and Swartz Bay ferry terminal. After breakfast, we’ll say our goodbyes and disembark at approximately 10:00 AM, taking with us memories of breathtaking land and seascapes, incredible wildlife encounters, and the unique spirit of the Inside Passage & the Salish Sea.
