West Coast Wild

Explore wildlife and wilderness on the BC Coast

Overview

Farewell Harbour Lodge has the privilege of being in the epicentre of some of the most spectacular wildlife viewing opportunities on the planet.

Our West Coast Wild package begins with a water taxi shuttle from Alder Bay on Vancouver Island whisking you deep into the heart of the rainforest. Our packages feature full day excursions in search of marine mammals, bears and other wildlife. We also offer 5, 6 or 7 day all-inclusive packages with additional days spent marine mammal viewing, on bear safaris, sea kayaking, rainforest walk (forest bathing/Shin Rin Yoku), First Nations cultural site visits or a host of other options. Guests can also purchase an add-on flight and fly round trip from Vancouver International Airport’s South Terminal (YVR South).

For our standard 4 day all-inclusive package, guests depart Alder Bay on Vancouver Island mid-day and travel via water taxi directly to Farewell Harbour. The 25 minute water taxi ride into Farewell Harbour from Alder Bay is often a tour in itself as we head into the rich marine bio-diverse waters of Johnstone Strait and Blackfish Sound. Arriving at the lodge, you’ll be warmly greeted by our staff and provided with a short orientation, lunch and then settled into your rooms before heading back out onto the water for an afternoon marine mammal viewing excursion. After your afternoon excursion, join your fellow travellers in our dining room for a glass of premium BC wine or beer before a sumptuous supper. After supper, sit fireside in the lounge for an evening slideshow on some aspect of coastal ecology.

After an early morning breakfast, you will head out on your first full day excursion. With daily excursions for both bears and marine mammals we offer both options on any given day. Typically, guests opt for a bear viewing excursion on their first full day.

Our bear viewing excursions can take us deep into one of three different river systems in search of wild bears. We can travel 90 minutes to a system by a covered water taxi before disembarking onto one or two smaller zodiacs. By zodiac we will motor quietly or propel silently under oar to position ourselves for optimal viewing of bears foraging on the river or in the estuaries. In some systems we will disembark the zodiacs and proceed on foot or on motorized vehicle and explore the lush rainforest in search of bears. We prefer to seek out bears in their natural environment and view from small zodiac or from land on the same eye level as the wildlife around us. We can’t guarantee sightings but our trained staff benefit from many years of experience with bears in the wild.

Our marine excursions take us into famed Johnstone Strait. Literally at our front door, Johnstone Strait is renowned for its Northern Resident Orca population. The Orca come into these waters mid to late July and stay into late September and early October although exact timings can change from year to year. Prior to July our marine excursions take us on a search for the majestic Humpback Whales, thrilling Dall’s Porpoises or Pacific White Sided Dolphins in addition to the many Bald Eagles and seabirds. Our marine excursions can also afford an opportunity to learn about the cultural traditions of the Kwakwaka’wakw First Nations as we pass ancient villages sites, mysterious and moving rock art called pictographs and other evidence of a rich history and vibrant present in the region.

Your last day affords one more opportunity for a morning whale watching excursion, an opportunity to relax around the lodge, try sea kayaking, or join an interpretive rainforest walk before the water taxi departs from Farewell Harbour back to Alder Bay and on-going connections.

Anyone over the age of 10 years old who is active and mobile with a curiosity and passion for the natural world is suitable for our tours.

Our wildlife programs run from early June to mid October.

We are proud to have our wildlife program recognized by Destination Canada as a 'Canadian Signature Experience'. Canadian Signature Experiences are 'are once-in-a-lifetime travel experiences offered by Canadians who are passionate to share their part of the country with you.' This certainly describes us!

Available Tour Dates

We offer daily departures from June 1 to October 5. Subject to availability you can pick any day to start your package with us.

sample Itinerary

Day 1

Depart Alder Bay at 12:30pm aboard our water taxi for the scenic 30 minute service to Farewell Harbour. Greet Farewell Harbour Lodge staff at the dock. Check in, receive welcome orientation and lunch. Relax, you’re here! After settling into accommodations, join an afternoon tour in search of marine wildlife in the waters of the famous Johnstone Strait and Blackfish Sound. Return to the lodge by 430pm. Buffet dinner, followed by next day activity briefing. Evening presentation on some aspect of coastal ecology.

Day 2

After breakfast, meet on the dock at 8am for a full day bear viewing adventure to one of our main grizzly viewing estuaries! Our bear viewing takes us to one of several estuaries where we view either from a zodiac or on foot depending on the tide. Return by 430pm; buffet dinner followed by evening presentation on some aspect of Great Bear Rainforest, bears, whales or First Nations culture.

Day 3

After breakfast we're on the water at 8am for a coastal safari in a deeper exploration of the the incredibly rich waters of Johnstone Strait and Blackfish Sound. Orcas typically return to these waters mid July although Humpbacks and other marine life can often be seen throughout our season. Return by 430pm for dinner and evening program.

Day 4

Choose from one of the following options:

A short morning sea kayak excursion in the protected and crystalline waters near Farewell Harbour Lodge
A marine mammal excursion
Guided interpretive rainforest walk or forest bathing

Return to the lodge for the water taxi back to Alder Bay arriving about midday for ongoing connections.

FAQ

Please see our general FAQ page for detailed answers to many of our most often asked questions.

Booking Details

For more detailed program & pricing information, please complete our contact form and we'll get back to you within 1 business day!