Outer Shores Expeditions

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Outer Shores Expeditions

Small-ship expeditions exploring the ancient cultures and stunning wildlife of the BC Coast

Outer Shores’ small-ship expeditions provide extraordinary and intimate opportunities for being immersed in the ancient cultures and stunning wildlife of Canada’s Pacific Coast. Guided by a crew of professional mariners, scientists, and expert naturalists, small groups of 6-8 guests explore the incredible coastline of British Columbia while living aboard the 70’ classic wooden schooner, Passing Cl

oud. President and Captain Russell Markel holds a PhD in marine biology and is dedicated to hosting travellers from around the world while fostering stewardship and supporting conservation-based research in the areas where Outer Shores travels.

03/12/2024

Last month, National Geographic released its "Best of the World 2025" list, and Haida Gwaii made the top 15!

If you’re unfamiliar, Haida Gwaii is a remote archipelago situated approximately 100 kilometres (62 miles) off the northwest coast of British Columbia, made up of 150 islands. Often described as “the Canadian Galapagos,” Haida Gwaii is home to endemic species found nowhere else on Earth.

This remote island archipelago offers unmatched biological diversity paired with the Indigenous cultural heritage that has been stewarding these lands and waters for more than 14,000 years.

Mark your calendars and join us on December 14 for a free Haida Gwaii webinar to learn more! More information coming soon...

📷 #1 & 3 - Russ Markel
📷 #2 & 4 - on IG

26/11/2024

Did you know? Northern Vancouver Island is one of the few places where you can witness a unique feeding strategy called trap-feeding 🐋

First observed by the Marine Education and Research Society () in 2011, this newly learned feeding technique involves humpback whales holding their mouths open at the water’s surface before slowly spinning and catching prey. What’s even more remarkable? The whales are teaching each other this feeding behaviour!

Join us next fall during our NVI expeditions to witness this incredible phenomenon firsthand.

📷 - James Thompson Photography

19/11/2024

Spring in the Great Bear Rainforest. The long days of late May and early June offer ample opportunities for exploration on the central coast of British Columbia. Highlights of our Spring Great Bear Rainforest expeditions include: 🐻 Wide variety of bear behaviour, from courting rituals and mating, to yearlings learning to forage for the first time. 🌲 Beautiful wilderness scenery for avid outdoor photographers. 🪻 Stunning wildflowers in bloom. ⚓️ Comraderie with like-minded guests, delicious meals, comfy cabins and educational evenings aboard Passing Cloud.

15/11/2024

Springtime in the Great Bear Rainforest offers a rare glimpse into the lives of bears 🐻🐻

With no salmon or berries in season yet, all the bears are grazing together in the lush estuaries.

The long days of late May and early June also bring ample opportunities to witness courtship and mating behaviours and mother bears with their yearling cubs, all against the stunning backdrop of colourful spring wildflowers and waterfalls.

Tune into our FREE webinar next Saturday, Nov 23, at 10am PST, where owner Russell Markel will take you on a virtual journey of our Spring/Fall Great Bear Rainforest expeditions.

RSVP here - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1i2PO-BD1u16_RdFkUdKqRCIEfXy_zMdqMvxm9k6DrMU/edit

🎥 - Captain Ashley MacKinnon

14/11/2024

Join our FREE webinar on Saturday, November 23, at 10:00 AM Pacific, and discover the Great Bear Rainforest from home!

Outer Shores’ owner, founder, and captain Russell Markel will take you on a virtual journey through this breathtaking region. You'll enjoy stunning photos, learn the differences between our Spring and Fall expeditions, and get tips on logistics, including how to get there. Plus, Russell will share behind-the-scenes stories from past voyages.

Learn why Canada’s Great Bear Rainforest is one of the most extraordinary places on Earth!

DATE: Saturday, November 23, 2024
TIME: 10-11 AM

Spots are limited - RSVP here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1i2PO-BD1u16_RdFkUdKqRCIEfXy_zMdqMvxm9k6DrMU/edit

13/11/2024

Rounding Cape St. James ⛵
📍51.9358° N, 131.0156° W

When the stars align and the weather complies, we can attempt to round Cape St. James at the southernmost tip of Haida Gwaii ⚓️

With rugged cliffs plunging into the sea and waves crashing below, it’s one of the most exhilarating stretches of the expedition.

The exposure of this remote cape, combined with the wide-open expanse of the Pacific Ocean, creates the most stunning backdrop for spotting seabirds, sea lions, and sometimes even whales breaching in the distance.

📷 - .wildlife on IG

Go Haida Gwaii Destination British Columbia Pacific Yachting

07/11/2024

At the core of every Outer Shores expedition is an unwavering commitment to conservation and sustainability.

Our work is guided by the belief that responsible exploration must contribute to preserving the environments and species we encounter. This is why Outer Shores established the OCEaNS Fund—an initiative that supports the conservation of coastal ecosystems, wildlife research, and Indigenous-led stewardship programs.

Each voyage directly contributes to these vital efforts, ensuring that future generations may continue to experience the wonders of this extraordinary region.

📷 - on IG

05/11/2024

We’re over 75% sold out for 2025! But we still have spaces available on our early Haida Gwaii, Spring Great Bear Rainforest, and Fall Northern Vancouver expeditions.

Join us in 2025 for the trip of a lifetime. 🔗 in bio to learn more.

📷 - of SV Passing Cloud in the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve

01/11/2024

We’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all our amazing crew members who made this year truly unforgettable ⚓️

The heart of every Outer Shores expedition is our crew. Their deep connection to the coastal landscapes, their knowledge of the ecosystems, and their genuine care for every guest make each journey truly remarkable. We are forever grateful for the kindness, expertise, and passion they bring each day.

Thank you for being an irreplaceable part of the Outer Shores family!

(And apologies to any crew we missed in this post! We were only able to upload 10 images to the carousel 😅)

30/10/2024

That’s a wrap on our Fall Migration Tour of the Inside Passage & Salish Sea, marking the end of our 2024 expedition season! ⚓

From bow-riding Dall's porpoise to killer whale sightings and stunning coastal landscapes, this journey home for the winter was full of unforgettable moments.

A huge thank you to our crew, amazing guests, and partners for making this season so special. We can’t wait to see what 2025 has in store.

🎥 - Crew Member Emma Lafontain (.wildlife on IG)

29/10/2024

Grizzly bear in the fog 🐻

📷 - James Thompson Photography Tour

24/10/2024

SV Passing Cloud is more than just a ship—she’s a work of art.

Handcrafted with classic elegance and a deep connection to the natural world, she plies effortlessly through the coastal waters of British Columbia. From her polished wooden decks to her brass accents and billowing sails, Passing Cloud offers moments of peace, wonder, and awe as she navigates from the Great Bear Rainforest to Haida Gwaii, and Northern Vancouver Island in search of adventure and incredible wildlife encounters.

On board, every journey becomes a story you’ll never forget ⚓️

📷 -

21/10/2024

Where will your 2025 adventures take you? ⚓

Join us for the trip of a lifetime next season! While we're already around 75% sold out for 2025, we still have available spaces on our early Haida Gwaii, Spring Great Bear Rainforest, and Fall Northern Vancouver expeditions.

📷 - .wildlife on IG

15/10/2024

Found nowhere else on Earth 🐻‍❄️ the rare, white-coated black bear (Ursus americanus kermodei), known as “Kermode” or “Spirit” bears, became a globally iconic species associated with the protection of Canada’s Great Bear Rainforest.

Spirit Bears live primarily on a small number of islands and adjacent mainland regions of the Great Bear Rainforest. These bears have a limited home range of just 6,500 km2, and recent estimates suggest that their population size may be limited to as few as 100 individuals.

Known to the First Nations of the Great Bear Rainforest since time immemorial, Indigenous oral history has long recorded a “1 in 10” frequency of these white-coated black bears.

The Kitasoo Spirit Bear Conservancy is located within the traditional territory of the Kitasoo-Xaixais First Nation and is co-managed under an agreement between the Kitasoo Nation and the Province of British Columbia. This conservancy is intended, in part, to protect a significant portion of Spirit bear habitat and home range, and fortunate visitors may get a glimpse of this iconic bear.

📷 -

09/10/2024

Moody mornings in the Great Bear Rainforest ⚓️

📷 -

27/09/2024

The Great Bear Rainforest never ceases to amaze! 🐻

The past few weeks here have been nothing short of magical. Salmon, bears, wolves, and whales. Stunning granite fjords that transform from exposed rock to walls of cascading waterfalls in minutes.

We’ve been lucky enough to watch coastal grizzlies thrive, humpback whales bubble net feeding, and the elusive white spirit bear, which is found nowhere else on Earth.

📷 - Em LaFontaine

05/09/2024

SV Passing Cloud ⚓

📷 - .wildlife

03/09/2024

Ursus arctos horribilis -- grizzly Bear 🐻

📷 -

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http://www.outershores.ca/

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Videos

Spring in the Great Bear Rainforest

Springtime in the Great Bear Rainforest

Springtime in the Great Bear Rainforest offers a rare glimpse into the lives of bears 🐻🐻 With no salmon or berries in season yet, all the bears are grazing together in the lush estuaries. The long days of late May and early June also bring ample opportunities to witness courtship and mating behaviours and mother bears with their yearling cubs, all against the stunning backdrop of colourful spring wildflowers and waterfalls. Tune into our FREE webinar next Saturday, Nov 23, at 10am PST, where owner Russell Markel will take you on a virtual journey of our Spring/Fall Great Bear Rainforest expeditions. RSVP here - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1i2PO-BD1u16_RdFkUdKqRCIEfXy_zMdqMvxm9k6DrMU/edit 🎥 - Captain Ashley MacKinnon

Cape St. James, Haida Gwaii

Rounding Cape St. James ⛵ 📍51.9358° N, 131.0156° W When the stars align and the weather complies, we can attempt to round Cape St. James at the southernmost tip of Haida Gwaii ⚓️ With rugged cliffs plunging into the sea and waves crashing below, it’s one of the most exhilarating stretches of the expedition. The exposure of this remote cape, combined with the wide-open expanse of the Pacific Ocean, creates the most stunning backdrop for spotting seabirds, sea lions, and sometimes even whales breaching in the distance. 📷 - @stay.wildlife on IG Go Haida Gwaii Destination British Columbia Pacific Yachting

Fll Migration Tour of the Inside Passage and Salish Sea

That’s a wrap on our Fall Migration Tour of the Inside Passage & Salish Sea, marking the end of our 2024 expedition season! ⚓ From bow-riding Dall's porpoise to killer whale sightings and stunning coastal landscapes, this journey home for the winter was full of unforgettable moments. A huge thank you to our crew, amazing guests, and partners for making this season so special. We can’t wait to see what 2025 has in store. 🎥 - Crew Member Emma Lafontain (@stay.wildlife on IG)

Where will your 2025 adventures take you? ⚓ Join us for the trip of a lifetime next season! While we're already around 75% sold out for 2025, we still have available spaces on our early Haida Gwaii, Spring Great Bear Rainforest, and Fall Northern Vancouver expeditions. 📷 - @stay.wildlife on IG #OuterShoresExpeditions #ExploreBC #PNW #Sail #Sailboat #Sailing

2024 Great Bear Rainforest Recap

The Great Bear Rainforest never ceases to amaze! 🐻 The past few weeks here have been nothing short of magical. Salmon, bears, wolves, and whales. Stunning granite fjords that transform from exposed rock to walls of cascading waterfalls in minutes. We’ve been lucky enough to watch coastal grizzlies thrive, humpback whales bubble net feeding, and the elusive white spirit bear, which is found nowhere else on Earth. 📷 - Em LaFontaine . . . . . #OuterShoresExpeditions #GreatBearRainforest #Bear #Bears #GrizzlyBears #ExploreBC #PNW #Sailing #Sailboat

2025 Sailing BC Expeditions

Our 2025 expeditions are filling up fast! ⚓ While our 2025 Haida Gwaii and Great Bear Rainforest expeditions are around 50%, we still have several available spaces. If either of these regions are on your bucket list, call or email us to join us for the trip of a lifetime. Learn more at outershores.ca 🎥 - @stay.wildlife & Russ Markel aboard our Gulf Islands, Haida Gwaii and Great Bear Rainforest expeditions

Humpback Whale Watching

A humpback whale visited our anchorage! 🐋📷 - @stay.wildlife

Sailing Haida Gwaii 2024

Blue skies and sunshine at our peaceful anchorage in Haida Gwaii, Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve ⚓️☀️ 🎥 - @stay.wildlife #HaidaGwaii #GwaiiHaanas #NorthwestCoast #OuterShoresExpeditions #ExploreBC #PNW #Sailing #Sailboat

2024 Haida Gwaii Sailing Expedition

Magical moments from our Haida Gwaii expeditions ⚓️⛵️✨ 🎥 - @stay.wildlife #HaidaGwaii #GwaiiHaanas #NorthwestCoast #OuterShoresExpeditions #ExploreBC #PNW #Sailing #Sailboat

Sailing Passing Cloud

Among Passing Cloud’s many appealing features is her exceptional sailing abilities ⛵️ Since her launching in 1974, Passing Cloud has cruised the South Pacific, weathered hurricanes, won many sailing races, worked as a sail training vessel, and explored the far reaches of the BC coast. She is now established as an expedition sailing vessel by her current owner, Russell Markel. “The Cloud” has a rich history that we are proud to share with you — visit our website to learn more. 🎥 - @stay.wildlife aboard our 2024 Haida Gwaii Expeditions #OuterShoresExpeditions #50yearsold #woodenboat #woodensailboat #schooner #schooners #schoonerlovers #schoonerpassingcloud #sailboat #sail #sailing #pnw #pnwsailing #pnwboating

📍Haida Gwaii, Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve

📍Haida Gwaii, Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve Year after year, the beauty and serenity of the “Canadian Galapagos” never ceases to amaze. The ancient Haida villages, warm welcome from the Haida Watchman, and all of the magical moments in between are nothing short of extraordinary. Truly a bucket list trip — this remote island archipelago offers unmatched biological diversity matched with the Indigenous cultural heritage that has been stewarding these lands and waters for more than 14,000 years. #HaidaGwaii #GwaiiHaanas #NorthwestCoast #OuterShoresExpeditions #ExploreBC #PNW #Sailing #Sailboat

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