Tour Type
Canadian Tours
DEPARTURE INFORMATION
Lower Mainland
June 15, 2026 – 7 Days
BC Interior
June 15, 2026 – 7 Days
Activity Level 2
GROUP SIZE
TOUR SUMMARY
Knight Inlet, Nakwakto Tidal Rapids, Desolation Sound & Princess Louisa Fjord
Some of the most thrilling sights along the BC coast cannot be reached by road, and the only access is by boat. This tour includes four boat excursions into these remote places. Knight Inlet is the longest fjord on our coastline, extending 113 km deep into the Coast Mountains. Nakwakto Rapids are the fastest tidal rapids in the world, according to Guinness, and during our visit the waters pouring out of Seymour Inlet and Belize Inlet will attain the incredible speed of 13.8 knots. A third boat trip departs Campbell River, weaves among the Northern Gulf Islands, and cruises through the magical beauty of Desolation Sound to Lund on the Sunshine Coast. A fourth cruise explores amazing Princess Louisa Fjord where sheer cliffs rise a thousand metres out of the water and thundering Chatterbox Falls dominates its upper end. Come and join this unique tour, cruising some fabulous scenic waterways.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
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Meals
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14 meals
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12 meals
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Transportation
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Accommodation
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Gratuities
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Knowledgeable Wells Gray tour director
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Tour Highlights (Included)
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TOUR FARES
| Departure Point | Fares Per Person |
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$4,175$4,795$3,990 |
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$4,210$4,830$4,025 |
- Please add 5% GST.
- BC Seniors (65 and over): $17 discount with BC Services Card.
- Earn 105 Experience Points
DEPARTURE POINTS & DATES
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Level
Moderate Activity: As a traveller you like a variety of activities and walking up to 2 km with breaks such as a guided walking tour is very doable for you without assistance. You can stand for prolonged periods, negotiate a variety of terrain such as moderate hills comfortably, climb two flights of stairs without assistance, walk on docks to and from the vessels and the short trail to Chatterbox Falls. Ramps onto docks can be steep at low tide. There are some stairs, mainly getting in and out of the vessels. There is luggage handling service only in Nanaimo and Port McNeill.
You may bring a cane or walking poles if needed. The coach and boats cannot carry a scooter or motorized wheelchair. The tour director and driver have many responsibilities, so please do not expect them, or your fellow travellers, to provide ongoing assistance. If you are not capable of keeping up with the group or require frequent assistance, the tour director may stop you from participating in some activities or some days of the tour.
Tour Size
This tour is limited to 22 participants, making it a more intimate travel experience.
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Knight Inlet & Nakwakto Rapids: MV Naiad Explorer was built in 1999 and is 17 metres long. She is powered by twin Volvo-Penta D12 engines with 615 horsepower each which were designed to minimize underwater noise for whales. The lower deck has ample enclosed seating with washroom and there is an outdoor rear deck and an upper deck for excellent viewing. With a cruising speed of 30 knots, Naiad Explorer can travel great distances in a day, including the full length of Knight Inlet. Another benefit of her powerful engines is that she can hold a position in Nakwakto Tidal Rapids, allowing a thrilling view of this amazing phenomenon.
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Northern Gulf Islands & Desolation Sound: Two covered boats carrying 12 people each are used for this one-way cruise from Campbell River to Lund. Both are equipped with a washroom. The small size, maneuverability, and minimal draft allow the boats to get close to shore and view the marine life.
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Princess Louisa Fjord: Two vessels with indoor seating are used for the voyage up Jervis Inlet, through the narrows of Malibu Rapids, and into Princess Louisa Fjord. There is no washroom on either boat. The trip is two hours each way plus 1½ hours on shore at Chatterbox Falls. There is a pit toilet at Chatterbox Falls. All vessels are operated by long-time captains with lots of experience on the BC coast.
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Experience & Vessel Captains: All vessels are operated by long-time captains with lots of experience on the BC coast. Wells Gray Tours has previously offered other small ship excursions that have circled Quadra and Cortes Islands, explored fjords and narrow channels as far north as Kelsey Bay, and cruised in the Gulf Islands and San Juan Islands. This will be our 24th cruise to spectacular Princess Louisa Fjord, our 22st trip along the full length of Knight Inlet, and our 20th cruise to experience the wild rush of the Nakwakto tidal rapids. Of the seven days on this tour, four days are devoted to cruising sheltered waters near Vancouver Island.
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Payments: deposit of $200 per person is requested at the time of booking and the balance is due April 14, 2026. By paying the deposit, you agree to the Terms & Conditions, Activity Level, and Cancellation Policy outlined. Payments can be made by online banking or cheque (3% discount on tour fare), or by Visa or Mastercard.
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Seniors Discount: BC seniors (65 & over) receive a $17 discount offered by BC Ferries, so you must bring your BC Services Card.
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Cancellation Policy: Up to March 13, 2026, the cancellation charge is $100 per person. From March 14 to April 14, the cancellation charge is $200 per person (your deposit). From April 15 to April 28, the cancellation charge is 50% of the tour fare. From April 29 to May 13, the cancellation charge is 80% of the tour fare. After May 13, there is no refund.
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Itinerary and Fare Changes: Our many suppliers may notify us about changes to the itinerary prior to departure and sometimes during the tour. We do our best to substitute a similar service if something cancels, but occasionally the only alternative is to provide a refund for the missed activity. Please note that if we are forced to cancel a tour component due to an issue beyond our control, the current penalties still apply if you choose to cancel the entire tour. Fuel surcharges and changes to taxes or other tour costs can occur at any time, therefore Wells Gray Tours reserves the right to increase fares due to such changes up to departure.
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Food Allergies: You must notify us no later than at final payment if you have a food allergy. This tour goes to some remote places where restaurants may not be able to satisfy all food allergies. An allergy causes medical distress, a preference does not. For some allergies, please consider bringing your own snacks or food items so you are not dependent on what restaurants are able to serve.
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Travel Insurance: A Comprehensive Insurance policy is available through Wells Gray Tours and coverage is provided by Travel Guard. Policies purchased at deposit include a waiver of the pre-existing condition clause for medical and cancellation claims, otherwise policies can be purchased no later than at final payment. This tour stays in British Columbia. While your BC Services Card may cover you for a medical issue that arises during the tour, you will probably benefit from trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage in case of illness or a mishap before or during the tour. Many other benefits such as luggage insurance are included. Medical questionnaire is not needed. Please contact us for details. If you have your own travel insurance, please read the policy carefully to be sure that you are adequately covered for cancellation, interruption, and luggage.
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Photo Credits: Wikimedia (Princess Louisa Inlet), tour director Pat (Nakwakto Rapids, Naiad Explorer), tour director Laura (Knight Inlet), and tour director Lisa (Chatterbox Falls).
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Experience Points or E-points: This tour earns 105 e-points. Each time you travel on a Wells Gray tour, you earn e-points that are added to your account after the tour returns. One e-point equals $1. Redeem your earned points on select tours or accumulate enough points to earn a free tour! Redemptions offered until April 14, 2026.
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Consumer Protection BC Licences: Kamloops 178, Vernon 655, Kelowna 588, Penticton 924, Victoria 65842