Outer Shores' 2018 program ready to sail

Outer Shores Expeditions have unveiled their 2018 sailing schedule, featuring expeditions into the Great Bear Rainforest, the Southern Gulf Islands, and Northern Vancouver Island, with more opportunities to visit Haida Gwaii, plus the addition of new bear-viewing adventures in the Bute Inlet.

The 2018 season begins on April 13, with the 70-foot classic wooden schooner Passing Cloud setting sail from Sidney, British Columbia on a five-day/four-night expedition of the Southern Gulf Islands that concludes on April 17. Outer Shores Expeditions will also sail the Southern Gulf Islands from April 18-22, and April 23-27.

The season continues in May with three nine-day/eight-night sailings from Port McNeill from May 2-7; May 8-13; and May 14-19 exploring Northern Vancouver Island. Passing Cloud will then spend the summer on an expanded series of explorations of the Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve with 11 departures, each nine days/eight nights, beginning May 24 – June 1, including an exclusive photography tour from June 9-17, with the final departure of the season into the remote island archipelago sailing from August 13-21.

From late August to October, Markel and his crew will return to the Great Bear Rainforest to observe, photograph, and learn about the ecosystems and species of the world’s largest intact coastal temperate rainforest. Dates for the Great Bear Rainforest expeditions are Aug. 26-Sept. 3; Sept. 4-12; Sept. 13-21; and Sept. 22-30, with a special photography tour from Oct. 1-9.

The 2018 season concludes with the brand-new Bears of Bute six-day/five-night itinerary with a pair of expeditions from Oct. 14-19 and Oct. 20-25.

Further information on Outer Shores Expeditions is available by visiting www.outershores.ca or calling 1-855-714-7233.