Day 1 – Cruise through the Inside Passage
It’s an early start this morning, as you’ll be driving to Port Hardy, on the north side of Vancouver Island, which takes around 45 minutes from Telegraph Cove. On arrival at Port Hardy, you’ll board your ferry for a scenic cruise through the iconic Inside Passage, heading north along Canada’s rugged coastline. Over the next 15 hours, you’ll drift past quiet islands, glacier-carved fjords, and forested mountains rising from the sea, noticing how the landscapes change every few minutes.
Wildlife
Spotting wildlife is a big part of the experience, and depending on the season, you may spot humpback whales breaching, orcas cruising through the channels, bald eagles perched in spruce trees, and sea lions basking in the sun. Keep your eyes peeled for the brown and black bears that roam along the forested shores, foraging and if you’re visiting during the summer, you might even catch a glimpse of them fishing for salmon upstream. Your captain will announce any wildlife sightings, giving you the best chance to spot them. Sit back on deck and enjoy the beautiful sunset over the calm waters.
Arriving into Price Rupert around half past eleven in the evening, you’ll drive off the boat and head straight to your comfortable hotel for the night which is just a stones throw from where you docked. Once you’ve checked in, settle in for a good nights sleep after the long crossing.
Day 2 – Departure from Prince Rupert
This morning, you’ll wake up to views over the harbour, watching fishing boats bobbing up and down and the town slowly coming to life. Stroll past the colourful wooden houses and find a fresh bagel for breakfast and a good cup of coffee. Prince Rupert is the perfect stepping stone into Alaska’s vast wilderness, with ice-blue glaciers, abandoned mining villages and grizzly bears waiting just a little further along the Inside Passage, easily reached by ferry.
Making your ferry journey more comfortable
Although there are chairs and benches on the deck and seating areas on board, for a more comfortable journey, we can book a private day cabin with a bed and bathroom for you. Please speak to your travel specialist for more information.
Best time to travel along the Inside Passage
The Inside Passage ferry runs every other day from mid-June to mid-September. Outside of these months there is a reduced service that runs less frequently, and includes a quick stop in Klemtu and Bella Bella. This trip involves a drive along coastal rainforest, where there is high rainfall in the summer months (over 2500mm per year), however the views are still fantastic.
Accommodation
