Wild Coasts, Living Spirits
August 2028
Join us for the adventure of a lifetime in the Great Bear Rainforest!
INSTRUCTION AND GUIDANCE BY VIKTORIA HAACK & ANNA MORGAN
ABOUT THE GREAT BEAR RAINFOREST
A globally significant ecological and cultural treasure, the Great Bear Rainforest is the largest intact temperate coastal rainforest in the world, stretching from northern Vancouver Island all the way along British Columbia's central and north coast to Alaska. With waterfalls spouting off the side of moss-encrusted mountains and ancient forests that sustain 1,000 year old cedars, this magnificent stretch of coastline meets an array of colourful ocean life in the granite-dark waters along its rugged shores, cut by glaciers that have long since retreated. In this pristine ecosystem, wildlife outnumber humans. Incredibly biodiverse, the area is home to species including salmon, grizzly bears, coastal wolves, orca, cougars, sea otters, humpback whales, and the unique, white Spirit Bear. Stories from the natural world are woven into the legends of the local First Nations, whose stewardship has been deeply tied to the area for time immemorial.
ABOUT THE TRIP
As much of the Great Bear Rainforest is not accessible via road, there is no better way to slow down and truly experience the area than by boat. We have chosen to partner with Bluewater Adventures whose commitment to responsible and ethical tourism is rooted in reciprocity with the land and First Nations communities. For the duration of this multi-day wilderness experience, we will be living aboard the Island Roamer, a 68’ ketch sailboat custom built for remote expeditions. You can expect to wake up each morning surrounded by wildlife and the spectacular natural beauty of the Great Bear Rainforest.
With both covered and open-air deck spaces, the boat provides a fantastic base for wildlife-watching and immersing ourselves in the landscape. Each day we will take part in on-shore excursions or wildlife-viewing expeditions via smaller zodiac boats and we will also have the opportunity to explore the inlets and bays individually in kayaks if we wish.
Every year up to twenty percent of the world’s wild salmon - coho, chinook, chum, sockeye, and pink - flood the streams of the Great Bear Rainforest to spawn. We have timed this offering to coincide with the returning salmon who draw wildlife to the local rivers, making this the best time to view grizzly bears and the elusive Spirit Bear. At this time of year, the weather is mild, the waters are highly navigable and the fog often rolls in creating a mystical and ethereal feeling of mist-shrouded valleys that the area is so well known for. It’s also prime time for humpback whales and other marine life, as well as for migratory birds returning to their wintering grounds.
We will be joined by a professional chef who prepares snacks and three thoughtfully curated meals each day for us. We will mostly be eating on board, but there are occasions where we may have a picnic lunch in the field.
INSTRUCTION
This is a truly unique offering, bringing a creatively focused workshop to this remarkable area. We firmly believe having photography instructors who are accessible and available to participants is paramount. With a ratio of 5:1 ratio of guests to instructors, you can expect lots of hands on instruction in the field, equally divided between participants, regardless of experience.
We will work with you to develop your story-telling ability, encourage self-discovery and develop your own ways of seeing. This workshop is ideal for exploring or deepening your personal connection with landscape and nature, and allowing the idea of self-expression to unfold in a place surrounded by natural beauty and endlessly inspiring vignettes of life. From small water details to majestic animals, we’ll guide you in creating a portfolio of images that speaks to the spirit of the place.
Field sessions essentially run dawn ’til dusk! We’ve included a rough itinerary below as an outline of what you can expect. However, the plans each day will be somewhat flexible, so that we can respond creatively to the prevailing weather conditions and make the most of wildlife viewing opportunities.
We believe in the power of community and connection. This workshop offers a unique opportunity to bond with like-minded people who share similar interests in photography. We’ll set time aside for group discussions where we explore both the technical and artistic aspects of nature photography within a safe and inclusive space. Our hope is that the relationships fostered here will extend beyond the bounds of the workshop experience.
In addition to her photography instruction, Viktoria brings more than twenty years of professional experience shaped by a background in fine art and anthropology. Her work spans wildlife, landscapes, and intimate natural details, guided by a respectful, non-intrusive approach that draws on cultural insight, ecological awareness, and a sensitivity to the quieter stories within the natural world. Her multi-genre experience, combined with involvement in conservation initiatives, informs a photographic practice that balances creativity with conscientious observation.
A former veterinarian, Anna also holds a Master’s degree in Conservation Medicine from the University of Edinburgh. Anna’s work focuses on the intersection of art, ecology and social justice. Her research brought photography and conservation together so that photographic practice served both as a tool for reflective thinking and as a subject of research to bring a deeper understanding of the structural frameworks that underpin the premise of conservation photography. Anna encourages ecological wholeness by fostering photographic practices rooted in connection, openness and self-awareness.
As well as having Viktoria and Anna for instruction and guidance, we will be joined on board by a biologist who will be able to help you identify species, explain animal behaviours and introduce you to some of the threats to ecological health that the Great Bear Rainforest faces and what stewardship work is being done to counter that.
"I wouldn't hesitate to take another workshop with either Anna or Viktoria
and look forward to the next time I can learn from either of them"Lori M
THE DETAILS
TRIP LOCATION:
The Great Bear Rainforest is located on the north and central coast of British Columbia. Our trip begins in Bella Bella and ends in Terrace, British Columbia. We’ll explore some carefully selected channels, inlets, islands and beaches throughout the Great Bear Rainforest region, accessed exclusively by boat and on foot.
DATES:
Last week of August 2028. Exact dates are to be determined.
GROUP SIZE:
10 participants. This workshop is dependent on reaching minimum participant numbers. If this number is not met by the time we must commit our own vessel deposit, the workshop may be cancelled. In that case, all paid deposits will be refunded in full.
COST:
$10,995 CAD + GST
This fee is based on double occupancy and includes all your meals, amenities and daily activities aboard the boat. The fee does not include transportation to and from the start point and end points of the trip.
Tax is 5% GST, and the cost includes a $200 CAD sustainability fee which supports First Nations partnerships and marine conservation in the Great Bear Rainforest.
BOOKING DEPOSIT:
This workshop is dependent on reaching minimum participant numbers. If minimum numbers are not met by the time we must commit our own vessel deposit, the workshop may be cancelled. In that case, all paid deposits will be refunded in full.
$1,000 + GST to secure a spot. This is fully refundable until September 1st 2026.
A second instalment of $4,000 + GST is due on June 1st, 2027. This is non-refundable but can be transferred to another guest on the waitlist if one is available.
The remaining balance is due December 1st 2027. This is non-refundable but can be transferred to another guest on the waitlist if one is available.
Image and © Viktoria Haack
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT EXPERIENCE IS NEEDED?
No prior experience is necessary. For those who are new to this, there will be ample opportunity to learn about wildlife, ecology, boating and photography. For those with plenty of experience under their belt, you will have a great time putting your skills to use.WHAT LEVEL OF FITNESS IS REQUIRED?
The landscape is quite fjord-like, with extremely dense forest, and there are a number of opportunities for shore excursions. Guests will need to be able to get in and out of the zodiac boats used for wildlife viewing which requires some mobility to swing legs in and out of. Crew are always there to support with this. There won’t be any strenuous hiking on shore although some of the (optional) trails may be muddy or uneven.WHAT IS THE ACCOMMODATION LIKE?
The trip fee is based on double occupancy in one of the 6 cabins and includes all your meals, amenities and daily activities aboard the boat. The fee does not include transportation to and from the start point and end points of the trip.Please note that the use of cigarettes and e-cigarettes is not permitted on board the vessel.
I AM A LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHER - IS THIS A SUITABLE WORKSHOP FOR ME?
Absolutely! The landscapes in the Great Bear Rainforest are breathtaking and there is lots of opportunity for grand landscape photography, small scenes exploration and intimate details as well as motion studies and multiple exposure work. Please note that drone use is not permitted.CAN DIETARY REQUIREMENTS BE ACCOMMODATED?
Yes. We will send out a registration form prior to the trip where you are detail any dietary restrictions and preferences in advance of the trip.WHAT IS INCLUDED
Once the trip begins, accommodation, some drinks, food, during-trip transportation, other services, entry fees, etc are all included.WHAT ISN'T INCLUDED?
Transportation to and from Terrace / Bella Bella. Accommodation or travel that you may need before or after the trip begins is not included. Gratuities for boat crew are also not included.WHAT SHOULD I PACK?
We will provide a detailed packing list of items to bring after booking.IS TRAVEL INSURANCE RECOMMENDED?
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance and/or cancellation insurance in the event of unexpected events that prevents you from attending the workshop.WHAT WILDLIFE AM I LIKELY TO SEE?
We expect to encounter a variety of wildlife during our trip. Bears - including Grizzly Bears and Black Bears, sometimes even Spirit Bears, may be seen along rivers and streams.Along the coast, Humpback Whales are often present, and Orcas or Fin Whales may appear offshore. River and Sea Otters are commonly spotted along shorelines, while Coastal Wolves and Mink are more elusive.
Birdlife is abundant and diverse: Bald Eagles, Belted Kingfishers, American Dippers, loons, alcids such as Rhinoceros Auklets, Common Murres, Marbled Murrelets, and Pigeon Guillemots, shorebirds including Black Turnstones, Surfbirds, Red‑necked Phalaropes, Fork-tailed Storm-Petrels, and various gulls may all be observed.
Wildlife is unpredictable, and sightings, or how close animals come, are determined by chance. We practice careful, ethical viewing to ensure animals remain undisturbed and behave naturally. Binoculars and long lenses are recommended to enhance the experience.
If you have any other questions about this workshop, please get in touch!
SAMPLE ITINERARY
Image and © Viktoria Haack
Our plans for each day often remain a bit flexible but the sample itinerary below gives you an idea of what to expect.
DAY 1
The Adventure Begins!We set off from the small, First Nations coastal town of Bella Bella – also known as Waglisla, which is home to the Heiltsuk First Nation - departing from the Bella Bella Municipal Dock.
Shortly after leaving, we’ll be visiting some great areas for Sea Otters, and hope to get some good views of these adorable ocean mustelids before continuing on.
DAY 2-4
The "Salmon Forest"Within the territories of the Gitga’at and Kitasoo Xai’xais First Nations, the unique coastal ecosystems here support impressive biodiversity. Nestled in some of the most impressive coastal fjords in the world, we’ll visit some lush estuaries where, accompanied by a Gitga’at guide, we hope to watch grizzly bears - and the elusive Spirit bear - as they fish for salmon. Bald eagles are abundant here and it is common while sailing in this area to see humpback whales.
DAY 5-7
Winding WaterwaysAs we explore the waters of southern Douglas Channel and at various other places along our journey, we expect to encounter humpback whales. We’ll take the time to observe these 15-metre-long creatures whenever the opportunity arises and hope to witness spectacular behaviours like breaches, pectoral slaps, and possibly bubble-net feeding (an amazing cooperative foraging technique). We also hope to have luck in spotting other marine mammals like fin whales - second in size only to the blue whale - orca, porpoise, and Steller sea lions.
We’ll have another opportunity to watch bears when we will once again be joined by a Gitga’at guide on shore. This is an area that wolves frequent so we can experience some of these surprise encounters.
Time allowing, we may visit local whale researchers to learn about their fascinating work. There may also be an opportunity to visit Bishop Bay hot springs for a soothing soak amidst an eclectic collection of fishing floats.
Winding Waterways
DAY 8
The Heart of the RainforestOur workshop ends in Terrace after a short transfer from the coastal town of Kitimat. As we make our way through the water to our final stop we’ll probably spot wildlife such as humpback whales and an array of seabirds.
REGISTRATION AND DEPOSIT PAYMENT
SOLD OUT
If you would like to be added to the waitlist, please GET IN TOUCH!
