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Canada from coast to coast
From the wind- and wave-carved cliffs of the Maritime regions to the rainforests of the western shores, Canada dazzles with its trove of natural riches. Our voyages cover each of the country’s coastal regions to provide a range of perspectives on the Great White North. Sail to festive fishing villages on the east coast, through a misty maze of coves and inlets on the west coast, or across the icy channels of the High Arctic, and gain new perspectives from our experts on a part of the world that is at once familiar and filled with wild surprises.
A Remarkable Journey to Alaska, British Columbia & Haida Gwaii
Duration
15 days
Apr
May
Sep
From
$10,024
Top Highlights
With very special access, spend four days in Haida Gwaii, a UNESCO World Heritage site, learning from Haida interpreters about their nearly lost ancient culture and exploring these remote islands
Sail deep into fjords, narrow channels and hidden coves and bays, searching for humpback whales, dolphins, bears, and eagles
Kayak in Tracy Arm or Endicott Arm for an up-close view of calving glaciers, towering forests, and seals afloat on iridescent icebergs
In wild, roadless places, see spectacular fjords with cascading waterfalls and soaring old-growth forests of spruce and cedar
Explore the picturesque fishing village of Petersburg, and by special permit, spend a full day exploring Glacier Bay National Park
Exploring British Columbia and the San Juan Islands
Duration
8 days
Sep
Oct
From
$5,560
Top Highlights
Sail among remote islands to kayak or hike where sea lions, river otters, bald eagles, and white-sided dolphins can be found
Go through Desolation Sound, on the north end of British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast, a mecca for kayakers with its calm, sheltered waters and outstanding natural beauty
In Alert Bay visit the U'Mista Cultural Center to see a stunning collection of potlatch masks created by the Kwakwaka'wakw peoples
Search for humpbacks and orcas, visit the Whale Museum, and learn about local populations from a researcher for the Center for Whale Research
In lovely Victoria tour private gardens, take a bike ride, and enjoy a private evening event at the Robert Bateman Centre
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Aug
From
$18,969
Prices are per person
Highlights
Arctic
Canada
Greenland
Fabled Lands Of The North: Greenland to Newfoundland
Duration
16 days
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Aug
From
$18,969
Top Highlights
Explore two UNESCO World Heritage sites alongside a team of experts: glide among soaring icebergs at the mouth of the Ilulissat Icefjord; and ponder the remains of the 11th-century Viking village at L’Anse aux Meadows
Meet Inuit artisans on Baffin Island and learn about their carving and weaving traditions
Join our naturalists to search for polar bears, caribou, arctic foxes, humpback and minke whales, walruses, and more in their natural habitat
Explore the untamed coasts of Newfoundland and Labrador, discovering spectacular fjords and cliffs on foot and by kayak and Zodiac
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Aug
From
$43,895
Prices are per person
Highlights
Arctic
Canada
Greenland
New
Gateway to the Northwest Passage: Greenland & Canada
Duration
24 days
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Aug
From
$43,895
Top Highlights
Travel well above 80º north into the fabled Northwest Passage and learn dramatic stories of the explorers and adventurers who sought this magnificent, icy frontier
Glide between soaring icebergs at the mouth of Greenland’s Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage site
Explore Ellesmere Island with binoculars at the ready to spot polar bears, walruses, ringed seals, belugas, bowhead whales, and the elusive narwhal
Visit the “Jewel of the North,” Pond Inlet, a small Inuit community known for its friendly community and world-renowned soapstone carvings
Marvel at the unique volcanic black sand beaches, hot springs, and waterfalls of Disko Island, a Greenlandic island often compared to Iceland
Sail aboard our new, state-of-the-art polar ship to the northernmost coastlines of the planet, where few have explored before
Venture into the fabled Northwest Passage and learn dramatic stories of explorers and adventurers who sought this magnificent, icy frontier
Glide between soaring icebergs at the mouth of Greenland’s Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage site
Visit one of Canada’s “jewels of the north": Pond Inlet, a small Inuit community known for soapstone carvings
Observe polar bears, walrus, ringed seals, belugas, and bowhead whales
Meander through the remains of historic dwellings on Herschel Island; a scattered mixture from the Inuvialuit people and the once-booming whaling industry
Treasures of the Inside Passage: Alaska and British Columbia
Duration
14 days
May
Aug
Sep
From
$9,032
Top Highlights
Hike the San Juan Islands, and cruise where killer whales reliably gather each year to hunt among the numerous uninhabited isles’ remote inlets and bays
By special permit, sail into Glacier Bay National Park and pass a full day taking in the grand scale of the mountains, fjords, and active glaciers
Spend an afternoon strolling the streets of the 100-year-old town of Petersburg learning about its fishing industry and Norwegian heritage
In Misty Fjords National Monument, kayak along sheer, glacially carved cliffs and forested backwaters
In British Columbia explore along the shores of forested islands to see whales, dolphins, bears, and eagles
Our small expedition ships take you into the most remote corners of Canada’s coastline so you can get up close to incredible wildlife, visit secluded villages that celebrate centuries-old traditions, and witness pristine nature in its wildest form. Each vessel is stocked with a fleet of Zodiacs that allow us to sail without being dependent on ports or piers, while our kayaks and paddleboards let you glide into secluded inlets for a closer look at sea lions, or safely observe a bear feeding in a quiet cove.
Throughout your expedition in Canada, National Geographic Explorer provides an atmosphere of casual comfort as well as intellectual stimulation and sociability. After an active session of exploring, it’s always rewarding to return to Explorer—to relax, reflect, and rejuvenate.
Savoring the Seafood of a Storied Region
This region has a rich fishing and marine history, much of which infuses itself into the world-famous mussels, cod tongue, and smoked herring which the locals pride themselves on.
Spectacular Ancient Landscapes of Newfoundland’s Gros Morne
Newfoundland’s Gros Morne National Park is one of the few places where you can walk on the Earth’s mantle and also cruise glacially carved freshwater fjords.
The earliest known European structures in North America are the Viking buildings in the stunning setting of Newfoundland’s L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site.
The ancient village of SGang Gwaay Llnagaay, on the eastern edge of SGang Gwaay (Anthony Island), is the most remote place in Canada’s most remote archipelago, some 160 miles south-west of Prince Rupert.
Wildlife & Natural Wonders in the Pacific Northwest
From killer whales frolicking in the waters around the densely forested San Juan Islands to bighorn sheep climbing along the sheer rock faces of Hells Canyon, the wildlife and scenery of the Pacific Northwest are vastly varied.
Absolutely astounding! We were continuously engaged and learned so much.
Lynne F.
Explore with top expedition teams
See, do, and learn more by going with engaging experts who have been exploring this region for decades. Go with an expedition leader, naturalists, certified photo instructors, and more.
Expedition Leader
Veteran expedition leaders are the orchestrators of your experience. Many have advanced degrees and have conducted research or taught for years. They have achieved expedition leader status because they possess the skills, the experience, and the depth of knowledge necessary to continually craft the best expedition possible for our guests.
Our naturalists, passionate about the geographies they explore (and return to regularly), illuminate each facet through their enthusiasm and knowledge. Our guests consistently cite the expertise and engaging company of our staff as key reasons to repeatedly travel with us.
Our historians will share the stories, tumults, and triumphs of the people and places we explore. Their colorful personalities and passion for history, from the minutiae to the big picture, make them engaging travel tour guides and companions.
Travel and shoot with a bona fide National Geographic photographer. These top pros are at your side and at your service—providing advice, tips, and slideshows. Access to photographers of this caliber will help you improve your skills and ensure you’ll go home with incredible photos.
Certified Photo Instructor
Every Canada expedition also offers an exclusive service—a Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic certified photo instructor. This naturalist is specially trained to help you become a better, more confident photographer—and to help you understand the movements of wildlife so you can create top shots.
This is Erin and Alison (Grosvenor Teacher Fellows) taking over the daily expedition report one last time before we head home. Today on National Geographic Venture , we cruised an inlet along the coastal shores of British Columbia. The morning was spent on Zodiacs. We explored the islands and took a nice, casual walk along the coastal beach. With informative talks by our naturalist throughout our journey, we were excited to implement our new learning in this ecosystem. On Zodiacs, we stopped by one coast and spotted a nurse tree with a Sitka spruce growing from it. A kingfisher perched on top of the spruce and then flew past us with its unique musical call. A harbor seal popped over to say hi as well. As we hiked the shoreline, we found ourselves stepping over fallen driftwood. Taking a closer look, we discovered turkey tail fungus and slime mold growing on the fallen trees. Barnacles and remnants of bull kelp were scattered along the shore. Continuing to walk along the beach, we observed interesting rock formations. We are enthusiastic about science and nature. During our time aboard National Geographic Venture , we found ourselves more informed, more engaged, and more passionate about this beautiful ecosystem. We loved the discoveries we made while immersed in this space, and we incorporated the information provided by naturalists who shared their passion and work with us. We know that visiting this land is a special gift, and we look forward to sharing our newfound knowledge, experience, and connections with our school communities. Text and photographs by Grosvenor Teacher Fellows, Alison Katzko and Erin Schmidt
Today, guests on National Geographic Venture walked in reverential silence through Gitga’at Indigenous territory to an observation platform along a salmon stream. The water was teeming with spawning fish. Other wildlife in the area included Steller’s jays, American dippers, ravens, and a band-tailed pigeon. We were thrilled to see several black bears fishing for salmon, as well as their extremely rare white version known as the Kermode bear. We were extremely fortunate to have experienced such magnificence in the wilds of British Columbia, Canada.
As we awoke for the last full day of our marvelous expedition together, we set eyes upon the striking lands that are the San Juan Islands. Pulling into the dock at Friday Harbor, located on the largest island, San Juan, we cleared customs smoothly and had a little bit of free time to explore the town. Bustling even at ten in the morning, small shops filled with aromatic coffee, fresh pastries, and sparkly crafts kept our attention until soon it was time to return to the ship once again. We set sail and weaved through the smaller islands. Harbor porpoises glinted in the waves, flirting with the ship and disappearing below. Our arrival at Sucia Island shortly after lunch yielded a remarkable playground for us to explore. The large, horseshoe shaped island with thin islets scattered about offers fascinating geology around every bend. Unique formations in the sandstone caused by algae eating away at the rock create beautiful honeycomb shapes along the shore. The aptly named Fossil Bay has hidden treasures of ammonites and hardened crabs for those with keen eyes and the patience to look. We strolled, hiked, and even kayaked in the flat, calm waters of the bay. We returned to our home one last time to celebrate our journey, including the friends we have made and the memories we won’t forget.
The Grosvenor Teacher Fellows have taken over the daily expedition report! This is Alison and Erin, bringing you the day’s highlights from National Geographic Venture . Throughout the night, we cruised to another remote inlet in British Columbia where we enjoyed the coastal old growth forest by kayaking, paddleboarding, and hiking. On the kayaks, we heard the calls of two kingfishers, and we saw upwards of thirty gulls along the shoreline and the cutest harbor seal popping up his head to check us out. On the hike through the forest, we were amazed by the abundance of bear activity. Usually, hikes are through rugged terrain, but this time we walked along our first evidence of bears — the bear path. The bears did quite a good job at making a path through the thick undergrowth! The next piece of evidence was a large, bluish piece of scat left by the bear. Our knowledgeable naturalist Emily checked it out and suggested the bear had eaten salal and blueberries. She said this was a bit unusual as bears often eat more barnacles, crabs, and fish at this time of year. As we continued along the bear path, climbing over deadfall and thick moss growth, we came across more proof of bear activity — the remains of two salmon. One was licked to the bone, and one was left whole (except for the brain). The final piece of evidence was down in the muddy stream — bear tracks. Our naturalist suggested that this elusive bear was indeed a brown bear since the footprint showed the inside toe aligned with the outside toe. With all this evidence, we knew a brown bear was recently in the area! The afternoon was spent cruising through the islands to look for more signs of wildlife. We spotted humpback whales and a black bear feasting by a waterfall. We are excited to see what tomorrow brings! Text and photographs by Grosvenor Teacher Fellows, Alison Katzko and Erin Schmidt
We woke this morning on National Geographic Quest. We didn’t have to think about navigation or weather or sea conditions; the captain and the officers magically got us to Victoria, British Columbia without any of us having to worry. That was not always the case. Since time immemorial, this territory and these waters have been home of the Lekwungen People, a subset of the Coast Salish, who are also known today as the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations. These people navigated the waters in open canoes without the use of GPS and charts. First Nations peoples have called Victoria’s inner harbor their home for thousands of years. Victoria is Vancouver Island’s second largest city with a population of ~91,000 people. It was incorporated on August 2, 1862 and continues to be a very busy port. The First Nations people are no longer the majority in the thriving metropolis, but the culture still peeks out through the western buildings and the very colonized city. Many guests got to learn about the Lekwungen People and the history of the city on the historical walking tour or a visit to the museum. Other guests enjoyed the beauty of the gardens and the secret culinary delights of the city on other tours. We felt lucky to have the sun shining on us for the second day in a row as we explored. The location of the city in the rain shadow of the mountains makes Victoria a fabulous stop for the ship. We could see why First Nations people settled here. Victoria is still a great place to explore by water. The abundance of motorboats and sailboats moored in the many harbors around the coastline provided a picturesque view. When large ships come into the harbors nowadays, they must be piloted by a local pilot. A small pilot boat brings the local captain out to the ship to navigate into the harbor safely. The waterways that National Geographic Quest traveled remind us of the hardships and treasures that the First People experienced long ago. Everyone went to bed exhausted and slightly sunburned as they reflected on the many people who navigate the waters we travel. From traditional canoes to large cruise ships to the smaller National Geographic Quest , Victoria is a treasure on Vancouver Island.
It is fascinating to call at each island and see how their lives are inextricably tied to the seas through trade and fisheries—and it is just as fascinating to explore the ancient human history of the only confirmed Viking settlement in North America.
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