Farewell Harbour Lodge

Floating Lodge Wildlife and Whale Watching Wilderness Retreat

Farewell Harbour Lodge is a land based lodge but with floating accommodation, situated in the pristine enviornment of the Broughton Archipelago and the Great Bear Rainforest, on the coast of British Columbia. In spring the local population of Grizzly bears slowly awakens from its hibernation ready to feed on new plant growth. As the season progresses they make their way to the streams where they feast on swathes of salmon. During the adventure, you'll take to the crystal clear waters looking for ocean giants such as Humpback whales, orca, and minke whales as they feed in the fjord. You’ll also have the chance to photograph grizzly and black bears, along with the local birdlife.

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SUGGESTED ITINERARY

WHAT, WHERE & WHEN

DAY 1:

Your wildlife adventure begins from Alder Bay, on Northern Vancouver island, where the Farewell harbour water taxi will whisk you across Johnston strait, directly to the lodge. Upon arrival at the lodge, you will be welcomed by your accommodating hosts, before being served lunch and your first chance to enjoy a marine wildlife viewing tour by boat. Your guided excursion travels to the picturesque Johnstone Strait and Robson Bight Ecological Reserve.

You’ll return to the lodge for a glass of BC wine to accompany the evenings gourmet buffet dinner with fellow guests. There is a relaxed and informal atmosphere at the lodge and mealtimes are often a great time to share stories. The evenings programme vary throughout the season with various presentations and talks covering many aspects of coastal ecology.

DAY 2:

Today you'll board a cruiser boat for your small group adventure in search of grizzly bears. Your captain will take you to a variety of rivers and estuaries, where you will disembark onto smaller craft! Travelling by zodiac allows you to get into the best position to view the bears as the forage on the shoreline, be on the lookout and have your camera ready for your first sighting. On some excursions you may get out of the boat and navigate the shore by foot. The lodge does not use viewing platforms, instead preferring to view wildlife at eye level in their natural habitat. Your local hosts will offer interpretive guidance to help you learn about the local nature and ecosystems. All weather gear is provided if things turn a little wet, it is the rainforest after all. Of course, a visit to the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest wouldn’t truly be complete without experiencing some of the wealth of First Nations Kwakwaka’wakw (pron. Kwok-walk-a-walk) culture that surrounds Farewell Harbour Lodge. The Kwakwaka’wakw First Nations have inhabited this region for thousands of years, developing artistic and cultural traditions that they are proud to share with visitors to the region.

Return to the lodge late in the afternoon, enjoy a home cooked meal with fellow guests. Tonight's presentation may cover topics such as the Great Bear Rainforest, Bears or First Nations culture.

DAY 3:

A second full day of wildlife-watching awaits you today. Perhaps you’ll witness the wonderful moment when a whale breaches the surface of the water, or perhaps you’ll spot a grizzly bear on the hunt for prey. Today you will have the choice of another bear viewing safari or a more extensive exploration of the the incredibly rich waters of Johnstone Strait and the Robson Bight Ecological Reserve. 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 and continuing throughout the summer months, the marine excursions take you on a search for majestic Humpback whales, thrilling Dall’s porpoises or Pacific White Sided dolphins in addition to the many Bald Eagles and seabirds that call these coastal waters their home and feeding grounds.

DAY 4:

After a final breakfast, it is back out into the boats for a 2 hour wildlife viewing before returning returning to the lodge, where you will collect a packed lunch for the journey ahead. A late morning departure by water taxi back to Alder Bay, arriving at approx midday, and onward connections. Please get in touch with our team to tailor your very own adventure to Farewell Harbour Lodge. Longer stays and flights from Vancouver can easily be tailored to suit your needs.

Adventure Options on Departure Day
Half Day Sea Kayaking Grab a paddle and join guides on an excursion on the crystal clear waters surrounding the lodge.
Guided Interpretive Rainforest walk . Breathe in the fresh air on this guided walk on Berry Island. Your interpretive guide will highlight the diverse flora and fauna of the region, as well as coastal ecology
Half Day Marine Tour With easy access to the world’s largest concentration of orcas, the diverse waters offer a high quality whale watching experience. On this excursion you may also view other wildlife including bears, eagles and dolphins.

BUDGET

From £2399 per person, based on two sharing (excluding international flights)

This roughly converts to: 2,759 EUR | 3,143 USD

Remember that each trip we craft is unique, and you'll receive a personalised trip proposal based on your travel dates and preferences, and in the currency of your choice (GBP, USD, or EUR).

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Additional Info

This trip has flexible daily departures

Many of trips can be tailored to your requirements and departure dates. Please get in touch with us for a tailored quotation and details of availability for your preferred travel dates. All trips and departures are subject to availability.

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IDEAL TRIP LENGTH:

3 nights

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