Islands & Wildlife of the Pacific Northwest

Itinerary

Day 1: Seattle, Washington / Embark

This afternoon embark the Sea Bird, docked in the heart of Seattle’s bustling waterfront. Sail into Puget Sound, with the Olympic Mountains to the west, majestic Mount Rainier to the south, and the skyline of Seattle and the Cascade Mountains to the east.

Day 2: San Juan Islands

Tucked away in the northwest corner of the United States is a cluster of idyllic, forested islands known for their tranquil beauty and abundant wildlife. More than 80 of the 172 islands of the San Juans have been set aside as part of the San Juan Islands National Wildlife Refuge, for the protection of seals, sea lions, river otters and many species of pelagic birds. More bald eagles nest here than anywhere else in the continental United States, and the waters are home to three separate pods of orcas.There are countless places to choose from for our “elbow height” explorations of the islands. The Sea Bird gives us easy access to the more remote and seldom visited islands, where intriguing shorelines beckon. You’ll also visit the charming little town of Friday Harbor, with its galleries featuring the work of local artists, and its renowned whale museum.

Day 3: Victoria, British Columbia

Today you are in Victoria, the provincial capital of British Columbia. Located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, this lovely city is decidedly English in appearance and personality. Double-decker buses trundle along streets named Broughton and Balmoral, pubs and teahouses occupy every other corner, and statues of the Queen stand in neatly manicured parks. Visit the glorious Butchart Gardens and the Royal British Columbia Museum, known for its outstanding recreations of Pacific Northwest habitats. In the afternoon, there is time to explore this charming city on your own.

Day 4: Princess Louisa Inlet

One of the most beautiful fjords along the entire coast of Alaska and British Columbia is Princess Louisa Inlet. With your nimble vessel you are able to navigate through the narrowest parts of the fjord to reach Chatterbox Falls at the very head of the inlet. From there, with kayaks or Zodiacs you can drift along beneath the spectacular sheer granite face of the fjord, and along shorelines of big-leaf maple and western red cedar.

Day 5: Johnstone Strait / Alert Bay

This morning, you stop at the small community of Alert Bay to visit the U'Mista Cultural Center, which house a stunning collection of Native American potlatch masks. Near Alert Bay, the narrow channel of Johnstone Strait is recognized as one of the major areas for orcas in the entire Northern Hemisphere. Spend the afternoon searching for one of the may pods that are known to spend at least part of the year in this area.

Day 6: Exploring British Columbia

Today you explore the almost endless possibilities that exist among these beautiful protected waterways. In the strait between Vancouver Island and the British Columbia mainland is an archipelago of more than 250 islands, and they provide the perfect setting for kayaking. The rain shadow created by the Olympic Mountains to the southwest means significantly less rainfall for this particular area, and subsequently a more diverse plant community. Kayaking close along the shoreline of one of the many islands one might spot nesting cormorants on the cliffs above, harbor seals hauled out on a gravelly beach and, just inches below, bright purple sea stars and red urchins.

Day 7: Vancouver / Disembark

Vancouver is British Columbia’s largest city and the major port for all of western Canada. It lies in a stunning setting, surrounded almost completely by water, with snowcapped mountains rising vertically from its very backyard. You dock near the heart of this thriving city and, after breakfast, disembark the ship.

Trip Details

Ship	Sea Lion/Sea Bird
Just Released Offer	Members of ExpeditionTrips.com receive a comlimentary hotel night in either Vancouver or Seattle. Call your Program Manager for details.Applicable Dates: 9/17/2008, 9/23/2008
Highlights	One of the world's premier kayaking destinations, excellent naturalists, beautiful San Juan Islands, Victoria and Butchart Gardens, Princess Louisa Inlet, and Discovery Islands
Trip Notes	Reverse Itinerary: 9/23/2008Included:Accommodations; meals as indicated; all nonalcoholic beverages aboard ship; most shore excursions; sightseeing and entrance fees; special access permits; transfers to and from group flights; use of kayaks; tips (except to ship's crew); taxes and service charges, services of a ship physician on most voyages, and services of your expedition staff.Not Included:Airfare Home/Seattle, return Vancouver/Home; passport and visa expenses, as needed; baggage/accident/cancellation insurance; items of a personal nature, such as alcoholic beverages, e-mail, laundry. Gratuities to ship's crew at your discretion.
Payment Policy	For 2008:he deposit amount required to confirm your reservation varies by itinerary (see trip brochure). Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure.For 2009:The deposit amount required to confirm your reservation varies by itinerary (see trip brochure). For expeditions of eight nights or less, final payment is due 60 days prior to departure. For expeditions of nine nights or more, final payment is due 90 days prior to departure.** Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure for the following sailings: 1/5/2009, 1/16/2009, 1/27/2009.Payment MethodsCredit cards are accepted for both deposit and final payments (VISA, MC, AMEX, Discover).

When can I go?

Start Date	Finish Date	Places Available
2008-09-23	2008-09-29	+

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