West Coast Exploring at its Best!
Experience the Natural History of the Broughton Archipelago and Johnstone Strait Aboard the Luxurious Heritage Vessel, Columbia III

Sunday August 6 - Saturday, August 11:

On this tour you’ll experience some of the most fantastic wildlife viewing in the world, walk in old growth forests and on rocky islets, cruise the steep-sided, glacier-carved inlets, and visit First Nation’s village sites. Orcas, Pacific white-side dolphins, humpback whales, stellar sea lions, harbour seals, seabirds, bears, wolves and cougars! These are some of the creatures living here amongst the islands and maze of channels in this largely inaccessible corner of the vast British Columbia coast. Salmon returning from the open ocean each year, to their rivers of birth, funnel down Johnstone Strait providing food for the rich diversity of life come to partake in the feast. Among the more spectacular of these are the northern resident orcas, who make this area their summer home. To watch these whales in their natural habitat is truly thrilling and memorable! Added to this, deluxe staterooms, hot showers, and gourmet cuisine, combine to make your trip on the Columbia III the exhilarating and unforgettable adventure of your dreams!
The elegant Columbia III won first prize at the 2003 Classic Boat Show in Victoria B.C. From the gleaming exterior paint and bright-work to the comfortable, spacious dining room, from the wheelhouse with the latest navigational and safety equipment to the large, covered aft deck, the Columbia III is immaculate and the woodworking throughout is of the finest quality! Our vessel and crew are fully approved and certified annually by Transport Canada. Built in 1956 for the Columbia Coast Mission as a combination hospital, dental office, chapel, library and movie theatre, she now spends her summers traveling with guests to pristine and spectacular wilderness areas on the remote British Columbia coast. On this tour, our fast and sturdy 16’ skiff will be used for shore excursions, with the Columbia III always remaining close at hand.
After introductions and settling everyone on board, we’ll leave Pt McNeill behind in the late afternoon and steam across Broughton Strait to the historic First Nations village of Alert Bay on Cormorant Island where we’ll “tie up” for the night. You’ll visit the renowned U’mista Cultural Centre there, where Kwakwakawak’ masks, carvings, artifacts, tools, clothing, and historical photographs are displayed in a beautiful setting. As well, there is the opportunity to walk through the village to the graveyard totems. This visit sets the tone for what you are about to experience as you venture into the wild beauty of the Broughton Archipelago! From Cormorant Island we’ll continue north, across Blackfish Sound (“blackfish” was the local fishermen’s name for the orca) and into the labyrinth of passages. Low lying islands give way to steeper mountains as we approach the mainland channels and inlets where humpback whales often feed and bears forage on the beach. In the quiet river estuaries, the bear’s well worn paths in the tall grasses remind us we share this wilderness! We’ll walk the low tides, beachcomb, and marvel at the variety of marine life – sponges, starfish, sea cucumbers, clingfish, sculpins, octopus, and crabs just to name a few! Into the onboard aquarium we’ll gently place the creatures we’ve caught in the beach seine, enjoy them at very close range, then return them to the sea. Trails inland give us an opportunity to observe the flora and fauna of the shadier forest habitat. Each day’s possibilities are infinitely varied and delightful as we continue our journey through this remote country steeped in First Nation’s history, and back-dropped by the snow capped peaks of the Coast Range. Our midday meals will be eaten on the “beach” at an abandoned native village site or grassy islet or on the boat, depending on the day’s focus and activity. We return to the Columbia III at the end of each day for hot showers, delicious food, laughter and conversation and of course, a most comfortable and rejuvenating sleep!

The Columbia 111 returns to Port McNeil early Saturday afternoon after an event-filled week.
Overnight in Port McNeil. Dinner at hotel

Sunday, August 12: After breakfast we board the Greyhound bus for our journey south to Nanaimo departing 9:35 am and arriving at 4:10 pm. Today lunch is on your own. We board the ferry to Horseshoe Bay, departing Nanaimo approximately 4:30 pm and arriving in at 7:15 pm. From the ferry terminal to Braithwaite Community Centre we transfer by private van.