OUTER SHORES EXPEDITIONS —

Explore the stunning wildlife of coastal British Columbia’s rain forests, bogs and fjords on a classic wooden schooner. Outer Shores Expeditions’ small-ship sailing tours explore the ancient indigenous cultures and diverse wildlife of Canada’s Gwaii Haanas National Park, Great Bear Rainforest, and Vancouver Island aboard their elegant vessel, the Passing Cloud.

They offer a variety of 3-day, 6-day, or 9-day sailing adventures. Observe and photograph wolves, grizzly bears, black bears, and the iconic rare white Spirit Bear with local First Nations guides. Explore ancient rainforests as Pacific salmon return to the estuaries and rivers, offering a feast to bears, wolves, seals, sea lions, eagles, and ravens. Encounter the abundant populations of whales, dolphins, seals, sea lions, and sea otters that thrive in these coastal seas. Explore coastal estuaries and salmon spawning streams and rivers, on foot, in sea kayaks or inflatable skiff, and learn about how healthy populations of bears and wolves are critical for maintaining the “salmon forests” of the Great Bear.

Guided by a crew of professional mariners and expert naturalists, small groups of 6-8 guests explore the incredible coastline of British Columbia while living and cruising aboard the 70-foot classic wooden schooner, Passing Cloud. Captain Russell Markel holds a PhD in marine biology and is dedicated to hosting travelers from around the world while supporting conservation-based research in the areas where Outer Shores travels. Visiting on-board experts have diverse backgrounds in marine biology and ecology, fisheries, archaeology, anthropology, ethnobotany, geology, marine mammal research, and more.

Onboard chefs are typically culinary school trained, providing exceptional meals that feature local and seasonal produce, fish, meats, and poultry. Outer Shores is also committed to minimizing their impact on the regions and wildlife they encounter by integrating responsible ecotourism practices into daily activities, and serving foods that are locally and sustainably grown, produced, raised or caught.