North Vancouver Island
Trip Highlights
Witness grizzly bears feeding in estuaries and rivers during the fall salmon run.
Journey by boat through the rich marine environment of the Broughton Archipelago with experienced First Nations guides.
Visit off-the-beaten-path coastal communities and learn from community leaders and local researchers.
Stay in cozy ocean-view lodges while traveling through some of the most pristine wildlife habitats in British Columbia.
Connect with other adventurous women during shared wildlife experiences, cultural insights, and scenic ferry crossings.
Locations:
Campbell River, Telegraph Cove, Alert Bay
Dates:
September 12–18, 2026
Limit:
6
Trip Details
Join Her Wild Life Expeditions for a one-of-a-kind women’s wildlife journey across North Vancouver Island. As fall settles over the Pacific Northwest, the salmon are running, the bears are feeding, and the coast comes alive with the movement of whales and migratory birds.
This 7-day adventure offers the rare opportunity to explore the untamed beauty of British Columbia in the company of passionate female travelers and local experts. From Campbell River to remote Alert Bay, you’ll be immersed in ancient forests, fjords, and First Nations culture. Guided by conservation-minded locals—many with deep histories in the region—you’ll bear witness to the stories written in these wild places and learn how they’re being protected for future generations.
Whether you’re watching grizzlies from a skiff, tracing the boardwalks of a fishing village, or scanning the waves for blows and fins, this journey promises intimate wildlife encounters and unforgettable moments shared with a small group of kindred spirits.
Trip Itinerary
Day 1 – Touchdown and Time to Unwind
Welcome to Vancouver Island’s gateway to the wild! After arriving at Campbell River Airport (YBL), you’ll be whisked away to the coast where mountains meet the Salish Sea. The rest of the day is yours to stretch your legs and soak up this harbor town’s salty charm—stroll along the waterfront pier, browse local art shops, or just sit and watch fishing boats drift past in the soft afternoon light. In the evening, we’ll gather for our welcome dinner—new faces, shared excitement, and the beginning of something wild.
Accommodations: Anchor Inn & Suites
Meals: Dinner
Day 2 – Grizzlies & Whales of Bute Inlet
Today begins with an unforgettable expedition deep into the ancestral territory of the Homalco First Nation. Traveling by boat from Campbell River to Bute Inlet, we’ll glide across glassy waters in search of marine life before stepping onto land to track grizzlies through salmon-rich estuaries. Local Indigenous guides will share their stories, teachings, and deep knowledge of this land where bears roam and eagles soar. It’s a day full of movement, meaning, and moments you’ll never forget.
Accommodations: Anchor Inn & Suites
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 3 - Sanctuary and Storytelling
After breakfast, we trade the shoreline for the canopy with a walk through old-growth forest in Elk Falls Provincial Park. Cross a suspension bridge, breathe in cedar-scented air, and marvel at the thunder of the falls. From here, we head north—winding through towering trees and remote communities toward Telegraph Cove. With scenic pit stops and a picnic lunch en route, this is the kind of road trip where even gas station views are photo-worthy. We’ll arrive in Telegraph Cove in time to explore the boardwalk village and get our first glimpse of the strait we’ll soon call home.
Accommodations: Telegraph Cove Resort
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 4 – Riding the Waves to Bear Country
Rise and shine—it’s time to go where the wild things are. Aboard a covered aluminum boat, we cruise through the Broughton Archipelago toward Knight Inlet, where coastal bears feed along estuary shores. We may spot black bears foraging at low tide, grizzlies moving between meadows, or porpoises playing in our wake. From the boat’s viewing platform, you’ll feel both awe and intimacy with this raw coastal world. Keep your binoculars ready—bald eagles, seals, and seabirds are never far. Back on land, wind down with a cozy dinner and stories around the table.
Accommodations: Telegraph Cove Resort
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 5 – Telegraph Cove to Alert Bay
Today’s journey is a cultural odyssey. After a relaxed breakfast, we travel to Port McNeill and visit MERS (Marine Education and Research Society), where scientists and educators share their work protecting whales and marine ecosystems. Then we board the ferry to Cormorant Island—just a short crossing, but a world away. Alert Bay welcomes us with deep cultural roots, stunning natural beauty, and stories etched into totems and tides. We’ll check into our cozy oceanfront inn and settle in for the night.
Accommodations: Nimpkish Hotel
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 6 – Wildlife & Cultural Stories of the Archipelago
All aboard for our final full-day wildlife expedition! Led by local Indigenous guides, we venture through the heart of the Broughton Archipelago, a maze of misty inlets and ancient forests. With luck, we may glimpse grizzlies feeding on salmon streams, orcas slicing through the surf, or humpbacks raising their flukes in slow, deliberate farewell. Between wildlife sightings, our guides share stories of land, ancestors, and stewardship—connecting every ripple to culture and conservation. Tonight, we toast to the week’s wonders at our farewell dinner.
Accommodations: Nimpkish Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 7 – Until Next Time
Our final morning begins with the ferry ride back to Port McNeill—one last crossing through sea and sky. From there, we wind our way south to Campbell River with a scenic drive, a packed lunch, and a few more quiet moments to take it all in before our flights home.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Your Guide
Pam McGarel
Pam McGarel is a naturalist guide with a passion for wild places, meaningful travel, and sharing the magic of the natural world. Originally from Ontario, she now lives in Squamish, British Columbia, where coastal forests, whales, and bald eagles fuel her curiosity. With a master’s degree in tourism and international development, Pam brings a thoughtful, education-forward approach to guiding. She’s endlessly inspired by wildlife encounters—from tracking lions in Botswana to watching humpbacks among Antarctic ice floes—and believes the best moments often come when you least expect them. Curious, passionate, and organized, she’s happiest when helping others experience awe in nature. A keen photographer, Pam always has her camera close, ready to capture the fleeting moments that make each trip unforgettable.
What to Expect
Every Her Wild Life expedition is designed to offer full, active days for women traveling together seeking authentic, immersive wildlife experiences. This often means being active when wildlife is most active. The trips are carefully planned to put you in the right place at the right time, while acknowledging that unforgettable wildlife encounters require both a bit of luck and the expertise of your guide team.
This Canada expedition involves:
- Full days in the fields for incredible wildlife viewing and nature experiences.
- Scenic drives, ferry crossings, and boat travel through coastal fjords and archipelagos.
- Light hiking and walking on uneven terrain, forest trails, boardwalks, and suspension bridges.
- Early mornings and variable coastal weather—pack for rain, sun, and cool ocean breezes.
- The need for physical mobility: All participants must be able to step on and off boats, walk up/down stairs, and navigate unpaved ground.
Accommodations
- 2 nights at Anchor Inn & Suites (Campbell River)
- 2 nights at Telegraph Cove Resort
- 2 nights at Nimpkish Hotel (Alert Bay)
What's Included
- Lodging for 6 nights as listed. A private room is included in the trip cost. If you’d like to share a room with a travel companion, double-occupancy pricing is available.
- Expert naturalist guide for entire trip.
- Meals as listed: 6 breakfasts, 6 lunches, and 5 dinners.
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure days + 5 days of private transportation.
- Activities and entrance fees as listed.
- Gratuities for your guides, drivers, and restaurant staff for included meals.
- Conservation donation to the Marine Education and Research Society (MERS).
What's Not Included
- Flights
- Passport/visa fees
- Travel insurance (quotes available)
- Meals not listed in daily schedule
- Alcohol
- Optional activities
- Pre- or post-trip hotels
- Room upgrades
- Gratuities for hotel staff
- Personal expenses
Cost
$7995 per person for private, single-occupancy accommodations, with a $820 per-person discount for travelers sharing a room.
Conservation Impact
This expedition proudly supports the Marine Education and Research Society (MERS), a science-based organization dedicated to conserving and understanding marine ecosystems through research, education, and wildlife response. Based in British Columbia, MERS conducts groundbreaking studies on threats to humpback and killer whales, including entanglement, ship strikes, and noise pollution. A conservation donation to MERS will be made on behalf of all participants.