Great Bear Rainforest: Scientific Exploration – 2 Days (Axopar 37)

Highlights
• Join a guided scientific exploration of the Great Bear Rainforest, blending adventure with discovery.
• Observe salmon runs, whale feeding behaviors, and the interconnected ecosystems that sustain this wilderness.
• Participate in simple citizen science activities such as logging wildlife sightings and coastal surveys.
• Learn from naturalists about rainforest ecology, marine biodiversity, and conservation efforts in one of Earth’s last great temperate rainforests.
• Experience the thrill of discovery while contributing to a deeper understanding of this fragile ecosystem.
 
Description
The Great Bear Rainforest is not only a natural wonder—it is also a living laboratory of biodiversity. Towering old-growth forests meet glacier-fed fjords, creating habitats for salmon, humpback whales, orcas, and the rare spirit bear.
 
This scientific exploration takes you beyond sightseeing into the realm of discovery. Guided by experienced naturalists, you’ll study the cycles that power this ecosystem—from salmon migrations that feed the forest to whales that shape the sea. Along the way, you may take part in citizen science projects, recording wildlife observations that contribute to real conservation data.
 
More than a trip, this is an opportunity to engage with the science of one of the world’s last intact wilderness regions—an experience that inspires both wonder and responsibility.
 
Itinerary
Day 1 – Marine Ecology
08:00 – Departure from Port McNeill
Board your Axopar 37 and head into coastal waters. Observe seabirds and marine mammals, and learn about the role of salmon and forage fish in the food chain.
Midday – Salmon & Predator Study
Visit salmon-bearing rivers and estuaries. Record observations of fish activity and predator presence, including seals, sea lions, and bears along the shoreline.
16:00 – Return to Port McNeill
Evening at leisure (accommodation arranged separately by guests).
 
Day 2 – Rainforest & Conservation
08:00 – Departure from Port McNeill
Cruise into fjords and tidal estuaries where the rainforest meets the sea. Guided by naturalists, study forest structure, intertidal zones, and their connection to marine life.
Midday – Wildlife & Data Logging
Look for whales, dolphins, and other marine species. Participate in citizen science by logging sightings and contributing to conservation projects.
16:00 – Return to Port McNeill
Arrive back at the marina, completing two days of research, discovery, and immersive learning in the Great Bear Rainforest.