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The 'Ocean Light II' is a spacious 71' ketch rigged
sailboat. She is a wonderful coastal charter vessel. It comfortably
navigates the waters of Coastal BC and Alaska with crew and eight guests
to seek out the best of this diverse coastal region. Highlights include
the rare opportunity of viewing the Grizzly Bears and rare, white Kermode
Bears, and the awesome scenery of the Queen Charlotte Islands and glacial,
southern Alaska.
The 'Ocean Light' is outfitted with extensive navigation and safety
equipment, an inflatable for shore excursions and for those who enjoy the
tranquility of paddling, a canoe and kayak. It is an ideal form for both
naturalists and photographers.
Our experience, expertise and knowledge of the coast has grown as well. In
1979, we were one of the first charter boats to visit Haida Gwaii (Queen
Charlotte Islands) and spent a great deal of time and energy involved in
the battle to preserve and protect the South Moresby wilderness. After
protection for the area was designated, we began to spread our wings and
look for new areas on the BC coast that needed protection. We found such a
place in the Khutzeymateen Valley, a coastal fjord north of Prince Rupert
and home to as many as 50 grizzly bears. In 1987, we joined forces with
the Valhalla Society and offered our boat to show the area to individuals
who were willing and able to help get it protected. In 1992, the area was
protected and a Grizzly Bear Sanctuary was created. We were the first boat
to offer professionally guided grizzly bear tours and are now authorized
by BC Parks to bring people into the Khutzeymateen to see, photograph and
experience these great animals. In 1990, we became aware of another bear
on our coast whose habitat was being destroyed, the Spirit Bear. Again
with the Valhalla Society, we visited Princess Royal Island and had our
first glimpse of this rare and beautiful bear. We have been back every
year, traveling every mile of coast in the Spirit Bear habitat, walking
streams and exploring valleys. We offer tours to the area, and hope that
by showing individuals this unique animal in its threatened environment,
we can raise the level of awareness and help in its preservation. The
Spirit Bear Park Proposal is still an ongoing issue and one we hope will
get designation soon. Each year we visit the grizzly bears in the spring
and the spirit bears in the fall and we fill the summer months with trips
to the spectacular waters of SE Alaska and the magical waters of Haida
Gwaii.
1.
THE KHUTZEYMATEEN VALLEY
Grizzly Bear Viewing / Photography
This 39,000 hectare valley is Canada's first Grizzly bear sanctuary and is
home to 40 to 50 grizzlies, who depend on this rich valley for their
existence. The majority of your days will be spent ashore in one of the
world's premier locations for viewing grizzly bears.
 ZZ-SKEC-25
4 days/ 3 nights $ 1,475
plus GST
(3%) $140 park fee
... based on Can$ $1,550 + 150
from Prince Rupert, BC, Canada
2008 Dates:
May 22 - 25 May 25 - 28
May 28 - 31 May 31 - June 3
June 3 - 6 June 6 - 9
and June 9 to 13 (5 days) +$200
2.
HAIDA
GWAII
- ABOARD THE 'OCEAN LIGHT'
Queen Charlotte Islands - Coastal Exploration (1 week)
A one-week trip that takes you down the eastern coast of Gwaii Haanas.
Daily distances between anchorages are not extensive, leaving ample time
for discovering the great wealth of natural and cultural history these
islands possess.
ZZ-SKEC-27
8 days/ 7 nights $ 3,225
plus GST
(3%) $110 park fee
... based on Can$ $3,380 + 120
from Sandspit, BC, Canada +
2008 Dates:
June 22 - 29
June 29 - July 6
July 6 - 13
3. QUEST FOR THE
SPIRIT
BEAR
Kermode Bear Viewing / Photography
GREAT BEAR RAINFOREST - SPIRIT BEAR
2008 will be our 18th year operating in the Great Bear Rainforest region
of the BC Coast. This area stretches from the Skeena River southward to
Rivers Inlet. Within the Great Bear Rainforest lie some of the world's
last pristine coastal forests: Old growth hemlock; and cedar forests;
tidewater estuaries rich with grasses, roots and berries; cascading
waterfalls and sparkling streams. This area is the largest tract of
intact temperate rainforest left on earth.
Starts in Prince Rupert and ends in Bella Bella or reverse
ZZ-SKEC-28
8 days/ 7 nights $ 2,850
plus GST (3%)
... based on Can$ $3,000
2007 Dates:
09/01-09/08 09/08-09/15
2008 Dates:
09/06-09/13 09/13-09/20 09/29-10/06
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10 days/ 9 nights $ 3,525
plus GST (3%)
... based on Can$ $3,700
2008 Dates:
09/20-09/29
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The Spirit Bear
Trips in 2008:
Khutzeymateen
Haida Gwaii
Spirit Bear
Orca Whales
Haida Gwaii
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The Boat
The
OCEAN LIGHT II was built in 1971 at Southern Ocean Shipyards, in Poole,
England, to the highest standards of Lloyd's Register of Shipping. She has
chartered in the US, Mexico, the Caribbean and in Europe and has 14
Atlantic crossings to her credit. In 1997 we bought the boat in the
Caribbean and sailed her to Vancouver, via the Panama Canal. She has had a
major refit since arriving in Vancouver, and is now an experienced BC
Coast and SE Alaska charter boat as well.
Comfort is the major reason. Charters on even 80 and 90 footers are often
envious of the OCEAN LIGHT II, with her sleek lines, generous deck space
and large centre cockpit which accommodates ten while sailing. Down below,
she is newly renovated and features a 14x17 ft main salon with seating for
12, while still leaving space to move about freely. The five separate
guest cabins accommodate up to 9 people and all cabins close off from the
rest of the yacht. There are two heads with showers and a new galley. The
interior is white enamel, douglas fir and mahogany. Performance is the
second major reason boats like the OCEAN LIGHT II are such favorites among
experienced charterers. OCEAN LIGHT II has the pedigree and waterline to
leave virtually all other charter yachts in her wake. In addition to her
comfort and performance, OCEAN LIGHT II features all the extras expected
of a BC coast charter boat: 2 hard bottomed inflatables, four cycle
outboards, 4 kayaks, video, 120v power, and an extensive library. The
OCEAN LIGHT II, has been carefully maintained and her gear and machinery
continually updated.
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