Landscapes & Wildlife photography trip
September 2026
Join our coastal British Columbia nature cruise that will take us to remote areas of Canada’s Inside Passage. Photograph whales, bald eagles, grizzly bears, black bears and an excellent chance to see a Kermode/Spirit bear with permission from the local Gitga’at, Kitasoo/Xai’Xais, and Haisla First Nations. These primeval forests are the only habitat of the Kermode or “spirit” bear – an elusive and rarely seen wonder.
We often see spectacular humpback behavior such as breaching, and a cooperative feeding technique called ‘bubble-net feeding’.
We charter a sailboat from a Canadian tour company with an experienced crew to cruise from Bella Bella to Kitimat, BC. The crew consists of a captain, mate, naturalist and cook.
The vessel includes 6 guest cabins with two side-by-side berths and private, ensuite bathrooms in each.
9 Day Nature Adventure BC, Canada
Cruise 8 days / 7 nights
exact tour date and cost available in January 2025. Send an inquiry to reserve a spot.
~US$ 10,200/ C$ 14,000 / per person / shared room
- The cost is per person in a shared berth!
10 persons
Beginner – Advanced
Fight to Bella Bella, BC, return flight from Terrace, BC
Included
- Workshop fee & guidance from photographer
- 7 nights berth on vessel, with private ensuite bathroom
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner on vessel, from day 2 lunch – breakfast day 9
- $200 Sustainability fee
- Naturalist on vessel
Not included
- Flight to Bella Bella and back from Terrace, BC
- 1 Night stay in Bella Bella before cruise
- Personal expenses
- Tips, C$ 50-70/day/person
What to bring:
- Warm cloth and waterproof rain gear
- Camera with a long lens for wildlife
Day 1
Individual arrival. Overnight in Bella Bella, BC
Our trip starts in the small First Nations coastal town of Bella Bella. Located on remote Campbell Island, Bella Bella. Located 181km north of Vancouver Island and 144km west of Bella Coola, Bella Bella counts about 1450 residents and is only accessible by air or ferry/boat.
Day 2
Overnight on vessel
First day on the water, we approach the waters of Milbanke Sound and keep watch for sea otters.
During our daily shore or small boat excursions, our naturalist will help identify different coastal plants, animals, birds, and marine life. Interested participants can help keep a species list for the trip.
Day 3 – 5
Overnight on vessel
Heading north through either Mathieson Channel or Finlayson Channel; keep your eyes trained on the shoreline for foraging bears and other wildlife while underway. We see a variety of birdlife throughout the region including bald eagles and the “trickster’ ravens. If weather and tides permit, a wander along remote shores and wildlife trails will show evidence of bears and possibly wolves in the area. With a good low tide, we may explore the shoreline for different species of colourful sea stars, anemone, and other intertidal life.
Day 6-7
Overnight on vessel
As we explore the waters of southern Douglas Channel (Wright Sound, Squally Channel, and Whale Channel), and at various other places along our journey, we expect to encounter humpback whales. We keep an eye out for large blows and hope to witness interesting behaviours like breaches, pectoral fin slaps, spy-hopping, and possibly bubble-net feeding. We will take the time to observe these amazing, 15-metre-long creatures whenever the opportunity arises.
Day 8
Overnight on vessel
As we travel along Princess Royal Island, we keep a close watch on the shoreline, since this is the best-known area for seeing the rare Spirit (also known as Kermode) bear. We are fortunate to spend a day with local Gitga’at First Nation guides, who refer to the white bear as Moksgm’ol. They will take us to their favourite bear viewing areas. With a little patience, we hope to be lucky enough to see black bears and the elusive, all-white Spirit bear fishing for salmon at quiet spawning streams hidden in the thick of the forest. These white bears are black bears expressing a genetic variation resulting in about ten percent of the area’s population having light coloured fur.
Day 9
Trip Finish in Kitimat/Terrace
We will arrive in Kitimat at around 11:00 AM. Travel time from MK Bay Marina in Kitimat to the airport in Terrace is approximately 1 hour. Bluewater Adventures will provide transportation for you and your luggage to the Terrace Airport for a mid/late-afternoon flight.
