Bluewater Adventures invites you to watch whales, see the elusive all-white Spirit Bear in the wilderness, visit ancient Native villages along remote shorelines, shower under a waterfall, soak in a remote hotsprings or kayak up to an unexplored beach.

Special Trips 2010

Click here to see our full schedule for 2010


Travel with Experts! Learn more about the leaders on these special interest trips below.


North Coast / Khutzeymateen Valley Trip

This trip will explore the Northern BC Coast and spend 2 days in the Khutzeymateen Fiord Land Conservancy. Aboard the Island Odyssey, this is our first annual Khutze trip! 
 		    

Dr. Barrie Gilbert - Bear Biologist
June 22-28, 2010   Start / End: Prince Rupert, BC

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Dr. Barrie K. Gilbert is Senior Scientist (retired) from Utah State University. After receiving his B.A. in Biology from Queens University in Kingston, Ontario, he earned a PhD in ecology at Duke University. His specialty is behavioral and conservation ecology, especially the application of behavioral science to management of human-wildlife interactions. His recent research has focused on the impacts of roads, access and recreation on bears and other carnivores, their habitat, and plans to minimize or eliminate these impacts at a protected area scale. He began studying bears in 1974.  For the last 15 years he directed studies of human-bear interactions along salmon streams in Katmai National Park, AK, and in Southeast Alaska. Sample Itinerary     


 
Barrie Gilbert

Southeast Alaska - Whales, Bears & Glaciers

Explore Southeast Alaska on the Island Odyssey and float among the whales, take a jet boat tour to LeConte glacier and see black and grizzly bears at Anan Creek! A rare and exciting itinerary.
 		    

Danny Catt - Biologist
July 1-9, 2010 -  Start: Petersburg    End: Prince Rupert

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Danny is a biologist, world traveler and internationally published photographer with over 25 years of experience in the field of environmental education. He has a technical diploma in fisheries and wildlife management as well as a BSc in biology and an MSc in wildlife ecology. Danny has also taught ecology in Asia and carried out post graduate studies in wildlife management in East Africa. Danny spent many years working for Parks Canada, as a naturalist and park planner prior to shifting to teaching at the post-secondary level. He has travelled the world and when not seeking adventures in exotic places is a faculty member in the Fish, Wildlife and Recreation program at the BC Institute of Technology, in Burnaby, BC
 

 		   Danny Catt

Ancient Insights into Haida Gwaii

Nancy Turner is joined by Haida Matriarch Barb Wilson on this journey into the past of Haida Gwaii. Learn about history and ancient plant usage on the islands. An exclusive offer that you don't want to miss out on!
 		    

Nancy Turner, Ethnobotanist

July 4-11, 2010    Start / End: Sandspit, BC

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Nancy Turner is distinguished professor in the School of Environmental Studies at the University of Victoria. She is an ethnobotanist and ethnoecologist who, for over 30 years, has collaborated with indigenous elders and environmental specialists in many parts of British Columbia. She has written many books (most recently Plants of Haida Gwaii), papers and articles about indigenous plant knowledge and use. Recent awards include the Canadian Botanical Association's Lawson Medal for lifetime contributions to Canadian Botany, the Richard Evans Schultes Award in Ethnobotany from the Healing Forest Conservancy in Washington, DC; the Order of British Columbia, Elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, and a Slow Food Award in Bologna, Italy.

 
 		   Nancy Turner

May Birds & Wildlife, Queen Charlotte Islands

May in the Queen Charlotte Islands is an excellent time to see large numbers of Humpback whales. They have just come over from Hawaii and are feeding in large numbers. Also witness migrating sea birds, black bears along the shoreline and much more. The Northern Galapagos is in full swing in May!
 

    

Bruce Whittington, Naturalist / Avid Birder

May 24-June 1, 2010   Start / End: Sandspit, BC

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Bruce was drawn to the natural world through birds, but has broadened his interests after a life on the west coast. He is an Honorary Life Member of the Victoria Natural History Society and a founder of Habitat Acquisition Trust, a regional land trust in Victoria. He has made over 60 trips to Alaska as a naturalist for Holland America Lines, and made his first trips to Haida Gwaii with Bluewater in 2007. Bruce is a keen photographer and a member of the Professional Writers Association of Canada. Bruce is also the author of three books about the natural history of the west coast, and was elected in 2008 as a Councillor in the town of Ladysmith, where he lives with his wife Wanda, an artist.

 

 		   Bruce Whittington

Northern Vancouver Is. Orcas, Totems & Grizzlies!

This trip will take you on a journey through the rich waters of Johnstone Strait. See large numbers of Orca whales, Dalls porpoise, and other marine creatures. Travel up Knight Inlet and see Grizzly bears!
 		    

Rob Lott, Marine Mammal Scientist

July 31-Aug 6, 2010   Start / End: Port McNeill, BC

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Rob Lott will be your guide on this Orcas, Totems and Grizzlies trip!  Rob has been associated with the orca research community of Northern Vancouver Island for the last two decades and spent spent several summers at Orcalab working as a field assistant. The orcas and landscape of B.C had a profound effect on his understanding of the natural world, and he has thoroughly enjoyed sharing his experiences for the past ten years as Out of the Blue guide. Rob's been fortunate enough to see whales and dolphins all over the world including Alaska, Antarctica, Australia, Bahamas, Chile, Mexico, Hawaii, Norway, Iceland and the Bay of Biscay.  Rob currently works as Policy Manager for WDCS, the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society.

 
 		   Rob Lott

Spring in the Great Bear Rainforest - Travel with the Sierra Club of British Columbia

Enjoy the rainforest in early spring. The bears are active, and the wildlife is incredible at this time of year. Having Doug Neasloss onboard you will get to learn a lot about the culture - past and present - and see it through the eyes of a local.
 		    

Caitlyn Vernon, Biologist
June 1-8, 2010   Start / End: Bella Bella, BC

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Based out of Victoria, Caitlyn is working with Sierra Club BC towards full implementation of the Great Bear Rainforest agreements (ecosystem-based management, a network of protected areas, and conservation financing). A naturalist since a young age, a biologist by training, and a conservationist at heart, Caitlyn is committed to the maintenance and restoration of healthy coastal ecosystems. She also firmly believes that ecological solutions need to work for the people who have to live with them. To this end, much of her time is spent working in partnership with First Nations to support regional networks aimed at strengthening capacity to implement and monitor ecosystem-based management over the long-term.  She has a BSc in Biology and a Masters in Environmental Studies, in which her research focused on the New Relationship between First Nations and the province of BC.

Also on this trip...


Doug Neasloss, Kitasoo Bear Guide
June 1-8, 2010   Start / End: Bella Bella, BC

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Douglas Neasloss is lead guide and cultural interpreter for Spirit Bear Adventures in Klemtu, BC. Douglas is of Kitasoo ancestry and Klemtu is his home and he has grown up on the waters and forests that surround it. He has spent much of his young lifetime learning its history and the traditional cultures of the Kitasoo/Xaixais people, and he enjoys sharing it with guests. Doug has been working with Spirit Bear Adventures for the past seven years and has had the opportunity to work with some of the most notable scientists, naturalists, and cultural and ethno-geographers. He has become one of the most knowledgeable and experienced tour guides on the Central Coast.  Doug is a qualified bear-viewing guide with the Commercial Bear Viewing Association and holds other industry certification including wilderness first aid. Doug is also an excellent photographer and his work is featured in the Spirit Bear Lodge as well as on the company’s website.


 		   Caitlyn Vernon



Doug Neasloss

Travel with the David Suzuki Foundation in Haida Gwaii in 2010!

With partial proceeds of this trip going to the David Suzuki Foundation, you can be a part of something special. Surprises in store for the lucky guests on this trip! You will explore Haida Gwaii by sail, and learn about issues that are impacting this coast.
 		    

Dr. Scott Wallace, Marine Ecologist
June 1-10, 2010   Start / End: Sandspit, BC

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Scott Wallace is a marine ecologist employed by the David Suzuki Foundation as their Sustainable Fisheries Analyst. Scott is an educator, author, activist, and analyst whose career has focused on marine conservation. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of British Columbia. He has taught several university and college level courses focused on the marine and coastal ecology of British Columbia and has previously worked as a naturalist for Bluewater Adventures. His work at the David Suzuki Foundation is centered on advocating for sustainable fisheries. He is currently a member of the Marine Fishes Subcommittee of the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). Scott is also an adjunct professor at the University of British Columbia's Fisheries Centre. In 2006 he wrote on a book on basking sharks.		   Scott Wallace

 

Yoga and Wellness in the Canadian Gulf Islands

Join our very own gourmet chef Annie Strucel and Christine Sutherland on an adventure through the Canadian Gulf Islands. Enjoy beach yoga, massage therapy, gourmet food, sailing and daily shore excursions. Kayaking opportunities will be available each day as well. Don't miss out on our First Annual Wellness Retreat in the Islands!
 		    

Christine Sutherland, Massage Therapist

Annie Strucel, Yoga Instructor, Gourmet Chef

May 2-6, 2010    Start / End: Sidney, BC

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Christine Sutherland has toured with Loreena McKennit twice, set up the winter Olympic games massage, senior games massage, worked with Team Canada and Dave King, Director of the Canadian Institute of Palliative Massage, and is currently writing a book about 'hands on approach'. For more on Christine - check out her website.
Sample Itinerary for the Gulf Islands
 		  



Spring Coastal Explorer - Southern Great Bear

This trip explores the Southern Great Bear Rainforest, travelling between Port Hardy, on Northern Vancouver Island and Bella Bella. We expect to see a wonderful range of wildlife - whales, bears, sea otters, and thousands of seabirds - as we range from the outer islands into the deep fiords. We take advantage of the long days to explore outer beaches, old-growth forests and coastal estuaries.
 		    

Dr. Rob Butler, Naturalist
May 23-31, 2010   Start: Port Hardy   End: Bella Bella

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Bluewater has been fortunate to have Rob leading trips for us since 1990. Rob is the coordinator of the British Columbia Breeding Bird Atlas and scientist with Bird Studies Canada. He is also an adjunct professor of biological sciences at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, British Columbia. He was a senior research scientist with the Canadian government for 28 years. His specialty is ornithology where he is recognized as an authority on the ecology of herons and shorebirds. He has written many scholarly publications and authored several books for over 30 years. Rob earned his doctoral degree from the University of British Columbia and he lives in New Westminster overlooking the beautiful Fraser River.


 
Rob Butler - Naturalist


Stay tuned as new leaders will be added in the upcoming months!