Spring Migration Expeditions 2026 – Salish Sea to the Great Bear Rainforest
Each year, our vessels – the schooner Passing Cloud, and our new expedition vessel, the 70’/21 m ketch, Ocean Wayfinder – need to make a variety of migration journeys along the BC coast as we explore Northern Vancouver Island, the Haida Gwaii Archipelago, and the Great Bear Rainforest.
For the past few years, we’ve been inviting our guests to join and share in these unique, fun, and adventurous migration journeys with us. These have proven to be very popular trips, with our guests enjoying our full complement of crew, our signature chef-prepared meals, beach and forest walks, inflatable skiff excursions, sailing, and of course, wildlife viewing. And because these voyages take place at the start and end of our season, they’re also offered at especially attractive rates.
For 2026, we’re excited to announce our 2026 Spring Migration expeditions, migrating Ocean Wayfinder from the Salish Sea to the Great Bear Rainforest! This series of 4-night expeditions will take us from southern Vancouver Island, to Gulf Islands National Park Reserve and the Salish Sea, to the world-famous Inside Passage and the marine mammals of Northern Vancouver, and finally to the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest.
Southern Gulf Islands and the Salish Sea (Leg 1): May 13-17
Start/End: Brentwood Bay/Campbell River
Day 1 of Leg 1 begins in Brentwood Bay, just a short distance from Victoria International Airport and the Swartz Bay ferry terminal. Once everyone is aboard, we’ll set out for a day of cruising, sailing, and exploring in Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, before anchoring for the night in one of our favourite sheltered locations.
On Day 2, we’ll travel north around Salt Spring Island, taking time for wildlife viewing and shore exploration before transiting Dodd Narrows at slack tide. That evening, we’ll anchor near Mudge and Gabriola Islands.
Day 3 takes us into the Salish Sea, ideally under sail, en route to our overnight destination of Jedediah Island, near Lasqueti and Texada Islands. Before we call it a day, we’ll take a walk to the island’s old homestead.
Day 4 will see us underway early as we continue our journey north. We’ll look to visit Middlenatch Island Nature Park, which is home to the largest seabird colony in this Salish Sea/Strait of Georgia. In the afternoon, we’ll continue on the rest of the way to Gowlland Harbour, on Quadra Island.
On the morning of Day 5, we’ll disembark by 10:00 AM, at the Discovery Harbour Marina in Campbell River.
Vancouver Islands Inside Passage and Blackfish Sound (Leg 2): May 18-22
Start/End: Campbell River/Port McNeill
Day 1 of Leg 2 begins with guest embarkation at 10:00 AM at Discovery Harbour Marina in Campbell River. Our primary objective today is to time our transit of Seymour Narrows, the gateway to Northern Vancouver Island, as we begin our journey north through Discovery Passage. Depending on the tides, we’ll spend our first night in a protected bay or inlet along the way.
Day 2 will likely start with an early departure as we head west through Johnstone Strait, hoping to travel with the tide. Today, we’ll be on high alert for the Dall’s porpoises and the Pacific white-sided dolphins that frequent these waters. We’ll expect to anchor in Port Neville for the night, and look to get ashore to explore the surrounding beaches, forest, and nearby estuary where we may encounter black bears or grizzly bears.
On Day 3, we look forward to a beautiful forest walk up to “Eagle Eye”, where we’ll look across Johnstone Strait into the Robson Bight (Michael Bigg) Ecological Reserve. This unique reserve was established to provide the Northern resident killer whales space and protection as they frequent this area to visit some of their favourite “rubbing” beaches.
Day 4 takes us at a leisurely pace through Blackfish Sound, one of the BC coast’s most incredible regions for marine mammals. We hope to encounter killer whales, humpback whales, sea otters, sea lions, and a wide range of seabirds.
On our final day of Leg 2, we’ll arrive in Port McNeill and disembark at the Municipal Harbour docks by 10:00 AM.
Southern Great Bear Rainforest (Leg 3): May 23-27
Start/End: Port McNeill/Bella Bella
Day 1 of our third and final leg of our 2026 Spring Migration expeditions departs from Port McNeill on May 23rd, en route to the southern Great Bear Rainforest. As always, our exact route will depend on the weather and the tides, but we expect to travel west this morning toward Port Hardy and Goletas Channel. This region is exceptional for wildlife, including whales, sea otters, sea lions, and a variety of seabird species. In the afternoon, we’ll enjoy a zodiac exploration through one of our favourite island passages.
Day 2 of our journey takes us north into Queen Charlotte Sound, around Cape Caution, and onward to BC’s Central Coast region. Today is especially good for spotting for pelagic seabirds, as well as humpback and gray whales. Tonight, we’ll likely anchor near the entrance to Rivers Inlet.
On Day 3, we’ll make our way to Calvert Island where we’ll walk across the island to a series of spectacular open-coast, white-sand beaches. Here, we’ll stroll the tide line barefoot and soak in the beauty of this remarkable place. It’s also a good area to watch for coastal wolves. Tonight, we’ll anchor nearby, possibly moving to a mailand anchorage where we might encounter bears, or wolves.
Day 4, our final full day, takes us north into Fitz Hugh Sound, keeping a close eye out for mammal-eating killer whales, humpback whales, and bow-riding Dall’s porpoises. Tonight, we’ll anchor in a well-protected anchorage south of Bella Bella, ideal for exploration by kayak or inflatable skiff.
The following morning, Day 5 of Leg 3, marks the conclusion of our 2026 Spring Migration expeditions, with disembarkation at Bella Bella by 10:00 AM.
Expedition Details
Dates 2026: May 13-17, May 18-22, May 23-27 (4-nights/5-days)
Vessel: Ocean Wayfinder
Number of Guests: 10
Rate: $3,500 CAD/person (includes $100 OCEaNS Fund contribution)
We hope you’ll join us! For more information please contact us!
