It’s Time To Say Goodbye

It is with mixed emotions that we announce our retirement and the official “goodbye” from Archipelago Wildlife Cruises. We feel privileged to have been able to share the beauty of the area, the wildlife, and the sense of community with friends, acquaintances, and tourists alike. We will miss Ukee.

A heartfelt thanks to the locals who informed guests of our service, year after year. You know who you are. It made all the difference. We’ve had lots of repeat guests, many of them locals, some who came more than ten times. This is a great compliment. Thank you ♥

It has been an absolute pleasure to work with Chef Ian Riddick and his team at the Heartwood Kitchen, who provided delicious gourmet meals for six years without a hiccup. It wouldn’t have been the same without you.

This has been a treasured chapter in our lives. We will be back to spend the summer cruising this area aboard the Raincoast Maiden. See you then and love you

Open until mid October

:uxurious salon area of tour boat

Our 2024 season will run for a few more weeks, until mid October, so join us aboard our beautiful motor yacht, the Raincoast Maiden, for a day of comfort and luxury, and to see the spectacular wildlife and scenery of the Broken Group Islands. Truly a unique West Coast experience!

2024 Season is Off to a Good Start

We’ve been open since early May, thrilled to back on the water, cruising through the breathtaking scenery of the Broken Group Islands. Wildlife sightings have been good, we’ve enjoyed meeting guests from all over the world and we hope that you will join us too!

Chillaxing ….

We’ve been lucky enough to see sea otters every day this season. We see mothers with their pups, single males, even groups of sea otters hanging out in the kelp. Seeing them is always a highlight!

sea otter lying in the kelp

Dining with Hummingbirds

Care to dine with hummingbirds? Join us on our Broken Group Islands Wildlife Cruise!

Recently we have enjoyed daily visits by Rufous Hummingbirds while anchored in the beautiful setting of the Broken Group Islands for a delicious gourmet lunch, prepared by Heartwood Kitchen restaurant in Ucluelet.

Thanks @laerke_juul for the image.

Rufous Hummingbird

Happy to be Back!

We are now open for the 2023 Season! Don’t miss the opportunity to join us for a day of wildlife viewing and breathtaking scenery. Our award winning tours follow a scenic route through the sheltered waters of the Broken Group Islands where you’ll be served you a delicious gourmet lunch while anchored in a sheltered cove, meal prepared by Heartwood Kitchen Restaurant in Ucluelet.

 

Colony of Steller sea lions crowded together on rock with huge males sitting up

 

Having Lunch

humpback whale lunge feeding

Spectacular images of a humpback whale lunge feeding, taken by one of our guests, Ralph Bishop.
It appears that the bird – a Common Murre – managed to scramble away in a mad panic, unharmed!
humpback whale lunge feeding

 

Otterly Adorable

It is such a treat to see sea otters on a daily basis. We see single otters as well as mothers with pups, and Grampa Otto is always a highlight. Unfortunately he is often “on vacation” for a few days, but more often than not he is entertaining his beloved human guests!

Sea otter lying on his back and wrapped up in kelp leaves

And so the 2022 Season has begun

Front view of boat with captain at helm with green ocean water and islands in background

 

We are now open for the 2022 Season!  We’ve been out on a couple of tours and have thoroughly enjoyed being out on these waters after a long winter off.

Don’t miss the opportunity to join us for a day of wildlife viewing and breathtaking scenery. Our award winning tour follows a scenic route through the sheltered waters of the Broken Group Islands where you’ll be served you a delicious gourmet lunch while anchored in a sheltered cove, meal prepared by Heartwood Kitchen Restaurant in Ucluelet.

Have a look through our website to book or find out more about our tours.

 

Recent Awards!

 

 

We feel honoured and excited to have been chosen for not one but THREE recent awards, namely

  • “Best Whale & Wildlife Boat Touring Company – British Columbia” (Corporate Vision 2022 Canadian Business Awards)
  • “Cruise Company of the Year in BC” (Travel & Hospitality Awards 2022)
  • “Best Marine Wildlife Tour Operator 2022 – British Columbia” (Lux Life Travel & Tourism Awards)

Many thanks to the nominees and judges for choosing our company!

Cruise

        2022 Cruise Company of the Year in BC