Western Canada

Discover Western Canada - Experience Snow-Capped Ranges, Emerald-Hued Glacier Lakes, Forested Valleys, & Sophisticated Cities

Join a cruise to the west coast of Canada & explore the best this region has to offer. Enjoy nature, wildlife and cultural history, learn from naturalists, expedition guides and best mariners.

Haida Gwaii.Haida Gwaii is an archipelago of islands separated from the rest of BC by an incredible body of water, Hecate Strait. Formerly called the Queen Charlotte Islands the name was changed to represent the heritage and continued cultures of the Haida People who flourish on these islands. Gwaii Haanas, the southern portion of Haida Gwaii, is rich with culture and natural history. The Haida welcome us into the ancient village site, such as UNESCO World Heritage Site SGang Gwaay (Ninstints), where ancient poles still stand. Others, such as Tanu, where you will marvel at the mossy depressions where big houses once stood. Get to know the modern villages of Graham Island where Haida culture is alive and flourishing. Witness artwork and carvings recently created. Travel deep into Gwaii Haanas “Place of Wonder” where you will walk among ancient monumental poles and house remains. Haida guides will explain the purpose of the poles and the lives their ancestors lived. The overall sense of power found in these villages is unforgettable.

Great Bear Rainforest. The Great Bear Rainforest is a land of fjords, rainforests, islands and great river estuaries. There are no roads. Instead, everyone travels by water. The many protected, unlogged and ancient rainforests, and the quiet, nutrient-rich ocean, support wildlife and ecosystems as they would have been thousands of years ago across the continent – where grizzly bears and wolf packs roam free and live from what they naturally have always lived from, including abundant salmon runs. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. calls it “the last stand of the great North American rainforest”. Explore the worlds of several northwest First Nations: the Heiltsuk, Kitasoo Xai’xais, Haisla, Gitga’at and Henaaksiala. Everywhere is evidence of their civilization. Fish traps, bark-stripped trees and longhouse remains give testimony to a way of life tuned to the rhythm of nature. You’ll visit modern villages, talk with local residents, and see the ancient art traditions still in place today.

Desolation Sound. A place where towering mountain peaks, from the adjacent mainland coastal range, plunge into deep water fjords, waterways, and passages. Rocky islets laden with arbutus trees and towering forested hillsides on islands make up the topography of Desolation Sound. Experience dry rainforest, see up close the unique colors of arbutus trees and salmon berry flowers that bloom in spring. Discover hidden island lakes nestled in the forest. Explore natural gems such as Prideaux Haven, a long bay dotted with islets at the heart of Desolation Sound.

Vancouver Island. From south to north along Vancouver Island, there is so much stunning variation. On the Gulf Islands & Salish Sea trips, island hop among warm, dry Garry Oak meadows ecosystems, arbutus lined shorelines, and Douglas fir forests. On the Desolation Sound trips, explore the stunning drop of the Coast Mountains from thousands of feet straight to the sea, and explore the fjords and islands at their foot. On the Broughton Archipelago (Whales & Totems) trips, explore the rich marine life among 200+ islands and the southern Great Bear Rainforest’s fjords. On the Wild Side trips, explore the beautiful and rugged northwest coast, including glacial refugium Brooks Peninsula and the sea-otter homeland of Kyuquot Sound. On the Vancouver Island Inside Passage trips explore the diversity and changes as you move from the Salish Sea through the Desolation Sound region to the steep rainforest of the Broughton Archipelago. 

Gulf Islands National Park & Salish Sea. Located in a rain shadow, the Gulf Islands have a very unique semi-Mediterranean climate that keeps the region drier than the rest of the BC coast. This rare ecosystem is one the most endangered in all of Canada, making it a very important protected area for the conservation of rare species. While the remainder of the coast remains cooler in the early spring months, the gulf islands are experiencing warm weather, budding flowers, and blue skies. Similarly, fall continues to be a mild time of year with beautiful changing colors. Come to know the home territory of the Coast Salish First Nations. Learn about significant cultural sights and practices, and how alive and vibrant the culture is today. 

If you’re after a small ship cruise or an expedition ship cruise to Western Canada Wild Earth Travel can help you find a trip of a lifetime. We are ready to guide you through our range of different options with impartial advice so you can experience the very best of this unique destination. Our team are all passionate expedition & small cruise ship travellers and our knowledge and stories come from our own personal experiences.