Our evening cruise through Queen Charlotte Sound was remarkably calm—allowing us to rest up for a big day in Alert Bay and Johnstone Strait. In the morning we visited the U’mista Cultural Centre where we learned about the Kwakwaka’wakw people and were able to view their extensive collection of masks and regalia. We then took a short walk to the ‘Namgis Big House where we enjoyed watching the dances and listening to the stories of our hosts.

Our afternoon in Johnstone Strait rewarded us with not only humpback whales and Pacific white-sided dolphins, but a large group of resident killer whales that where very active at the surface roiling in the currents and light chop.