Exploring British Columbia and the San Juan Islands

Arrive in Seattle and transfer to the National Geographic Venture to begin your expedition. (D)

Today we’ll visit the more remote of the San Juan Islands, an archipelago in northern Washington State perfect for kayaking, exploring by Zodiac, and hiking. Walks with our expert staff will familiarize you with the natural and cultural history of the rugged northwest coast region. (B,L,D)

Explore Friday Harbor, a picturesque town on San Juan Island. Visit the Whale Museum, with its fascinating collection of artifacts, artwork, and whale skeletons. Stop in at small shops and galleries. (B,L,D)

Clear into Canada in the charming city of Victoria and choose from several tailor-made options to explore based on your interests. Visit private gardens, bike along the waterfront, stroll through Old Town or peruse the collections at local art galleries. In the evening, enjoy a private reception at The Bateman Gallery while taking in the incredible collection of paintings by wildlife artist Robert Bateman, recognized by the Audubon Society as one of the 20th century's "heroes of conservation". (B,L,D)

Wake this morning among the Gulf Islands, a rich archipelago in the Strait of Georgia, and a yachter’s paradise. We’ll take our pick of perfect spots to kayak, hike, and search for wildlife. (B,L,D)

Sail through Johnstone Strait, a waterway cut through a magnificently wild and scenic area of mountains and islands. These ocean waters are also home to extraordinary marine mammals and bird watching. Today we visit one of the oldest First Nations village sites in British Columbia. Alert Bay on Cormorant Island has been and continues to be the home of the Kwakwaka’wakw people and a center for the living culture found throughout the Northwest Coast.

We will visit the U’Mista Cultural Centre, which houses one of the northwest coast’s finest collections of elaborately carved potlatch masks, regalia and coppers. We’ll then make a stop to visit the Big House a short distance away where the T’sasala Cultural Group continues the sharing of culture, “educating the world about their songs, dances, teachings and values.” (B,L,D)

Desolation Sound, on the north end of British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast, is a mecca for kayakers and small yachts. It’s easy to understand why, with its calm, sheltered waters and outstanding natural beauty. By kayak there are many isolated bays to poke into and islets that beckon for exploration. On land there are meadows and forest trails for hiking. Tonight, enjoy Captain’s Farewell dinner. (B,L,D)

Vancouver is British Columbia’s largest city and the major port for all of western Canada. It lies in a stunning setting, surrounded almost completely by water, with snowcapped mountains rising vertically from its very backyard. After breakfast, disembark the ship for connecting flights home. (B)

Arrive in Vancouver, Canada, British Columbia’s largest city and the major port for all of western Canada. Embark National Geographic Venture in the early evening and set out on your expedition. (D)

Desolation Sound, on the north end of British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast, is a mecca for kayakers and small yachts. It’s easy to understand why, with its calm, sheltered waters and outstanding natural beauty. By kayak there are many isolated bays to poke into and islets that beckon for exploration. On land there are meadows and forest trails for hiking. (B,L,D)

Sail through Johnstone Strait, a waterway cut through a magnificently wild and scenic area of mountains and islands. These ocean waters are also home to extraordinary marine mammals and bird watching. Today we visit one of the oldest First Nations village sites in British Columbia. Alert Bay on Cormorant Island has been and continues to be the home of the Kwakwaka’wakw people and a center for the living culture found throughout the Northwest Coast.

We will visit the U’Mista Cultural Centre, which houses one of the northwest coast’s finest collections of elaborately carved potlatch masks, regalia and coppers. We’ll then make a stop to visit the Big House a short distance away where the T’sasala Cultural Group continues the sharing of culture, “educating the world about their songs, dances, teachings and values.” (B,L,D)

Wake this morning among the Gulf Islands, a rich archipelago in the Strait of Georgia, and a yachter’s paradise. We’ll take our pick of perfect spots to kayak, hike, and search for wildlife. (B,L,D)

Choose from several tailor-made options to explore the charming city of Victoria. Visit private gardens, bike along the waterfront, eat like a local on a culinary walk through Old Town or peruse the collections at local art galleries. In the evening, enjoy a private reception at The Bateman Gallery while taking in the incredible collection of paintings by wildlife artist Robert Bateman, recognized by the Audubon Society as one of the 20th century's “heroes of conservation”. (B,L,D)

After clearing customs, we’ll explore Friday Harbor, a picturesque town on San Juan Island. Visit the Whale Museum, with its fascinating collection of artifacts, artwork, and whale skeletons. Pop into small shops and galleries for a bit of local flavor. Later, we’ll search for killer whales and cruise the San Juan Islands. (B,L,D)

Today we’ll visit the more remote of the San Juan Islands, an archipelago in northern Washington State perfect for kayaking, exploring by Zodiac, and hiking. Walks with our expert staff will familiarize you with the natural and cultural history of the rugged northwest coast region. (B,L,D)

Disembark National Geographic Venture after breakfast and transfer to the airport for flights home. (B)