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Canada from coast to coast
From the wind- and wave-carved cliffs of the Maritime regions to the rainforests of the western shores, Canada dazzles with its trove of natural riches. Our voyages cover each of the country’s coastal regions to provide a range of perspectives on the Great White North. Sail to festive fishing villages on the east coast, through a misty maze of coves and inlets on the west coast, or across the icy channels of the High Arctic, and gain new perspectives from our experts on a part of the world that is at once familiar and filled with wild surprises.
New
Arctic Odyssey: Iceland, Greenland, and Canada
Duration
15 days
Aug
From
$18,571
Top Highlights
Circumnavigate the Island of Fire and Ice, from its wealth of wildlife and striking geological formations, to its cultural history steeped in saga and exploration history
Explore a variety of landscapes across the island from lava fields, seismic faults, geothermal springs, and thundering waterfalls
Hike up mountain trails, kayak in protected fjords, bike through remote villages, or take a Zodiac cruise around a seabird colony
Venture into the dramatic high Arctic islands, up to the ice edge and learn dramatic stories of explorers and adventurers who sought this remarkable, icy frontier
Glide between soaring icebergs at the mouth of Greenland’s Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage site
Explore Ellesmere Island with binoculars at the ready to spot polar bears, walruses, ringed seals, belugas, bowhead whales, and the elusive narwhal
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
From
$12,688
Prices are per person
Highlights
Canada
New
Sailing the St. Lawrence Seaway and Canadian Maritimes
Duration
11 days
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
From
$12,688
Top Highlights
Look for majestic belugas and minke whales in the Saguenay River Fjord and right whales in the Gulf of St. Lawrence
Stroll the charming streets of Québec City to explore its historic architecture, vibrant culture, and renowned culinary scene
Immerse yourself in the region’s gastronomy both on and off ship—from Indigenous recipes such as traditional Bannock bread to fresh-caught seafood in fishing villages
Discover charming coastal villages and small islands, including the historic French settlements at St. Pierre et Miquelon
Explore two UNESCO World Heritage sites: Gros Morne National Park, one of the few places on earth where the mantle is exposed, and the 11th-century Viking site at L’Anse aux Meadows
Hike along the dunes and sandstone cliffs of Îles de la Madeleine
Hike the San Juan Islands, and cruise where killer whales reliably gather each year to hunt among the numerous uninhabited isles’ remote inlets and bays
By special permit, sail into Glacier Bay National Park and pass a full day taking in the grand scale of the mountains, fjords, and active glaciers
Stroll through the 100-year-old fishing town of Petersburg and learn about its Norwegian heritage
Voyage to Alaska, British Columbia and Haida Gwaii
Duration
15 days
Apr
May
Aug
Sep
From
$10,649
Top Highlights
With very special access, spend four days in Haida Gwaii, a UNESCO World Heritage site, learning from Haida interpreters about their living culture and exploring these remote islands
Sail deep into fjords and cruise rugged coastlines in search of humpback whales, dolphins, bears, and more
Explore by Zodiac in Tracy Arm or Endicott Arm for an up-close view of calving glaciers, towering forests, and seals afloat on iridescent icebergs
Our small expedition ships take you into the most remote corners of Canada’s coastline so you can get up close to incredible wildlife, visit secluded villages that celebrate centuries-old traditions, and witness pristine nature in its wildest form. Each vessel is stocked with a fleet of Zodiacs that allow us to sail without being dependent on ports or piers, while our kayaks and paddleboards let you glide into secluded inlets for a closer look at sea lions, or safely observe a bear feeding in a quiet cove.
Throughout your expedition in Canada, National Geographic Explorer provides an atmosphere of casual comfort as well as intellectual stimulation and sociability. After an active session of exploring, it’s always rewarding to return to Explorer—to relax, reflect, and rejuvenate.
Savoring the Seafood of a Storied Region
This region has a rich fishing and marine history, much of which infuses itself into the world-famous mussels, cod tongue, and smoked herring which the locals pride themselves on.
Spectacular Ancient Landscapes of Newfoundland’s Gros Morne
Newfoundland’s Gros Morne National Park is one of the few places where you can walk on the Earth’s mantle and also cruise glacially carved freshwater fjords.
The earliest known European structures in North America are the Viking buildings in the stunning setting of Newfoundland’s L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site.
The ancient village of SGang Gwaay Llnagaay, on the eastern edge of SGang Gwaay (Anthony Island), is the most remote place in Canada’s most remote archipelago, some 160 miles south-west of Prince Rupert.
Wildlife & Natural Wonders in the Pacific Northwest
From killer whales frolicking in the waters around the densely forested San Juan Islands to bighorn sheep climbing along the sheer rock faces of Hells Canyon, the wildlife and scenery of the Pacific Northwest are vastly varied.
Absolutely astounding! We were continuously engaged and learned so much.
Lynne F.
Explore with top expedition teams
See, do, and learn more by going with engaging experts who have been exploring this region for decades. Go with an expedition leader, naturalists, certified photo instructors, and more.
Expedition Leader
Veteran expedition leaders are the orchestrators of your experience. Many have advanced degrees and have conducted research or taught for years. They have achieved expedition leader status because they possess the skills, the experience, and the depth of knowledge necessary to continually craft the best expedition possible for our guests.
Our naturalists, passionate about the geographies they explore (and return to regularly), illuminate each facet through their enthusiasm and knowledge. Our guests consistently cite the expertise and engaging company of our staff as key reasons to repeatedly travel with us.
Our historians will share the stories, tumults, and triumphs of the people and places we explore. Their colorful personalities and passion for history, from the minutiae to the big picture, make them engaging travel tour guides and companions.
Travel and shoot with a bona fide National Geographic photographer. These top pros are at your side and at your service—providing advice, tips, and slideshows. Access to photographers of this caliber will help you improve your skills and ensure you’ll go home with incredible photos.
Certified Photo Instructor
Every Canada expedition also offers an exclusive service—a Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic certified photo instructor. This naturalist is specially trained to help you become a better, more confident photographer—and to help you understand the movements of wildlife so you can create top shots.
The San Juan Islands continued to be buffeted by the first major storm of the fall season. Luckily, the wind steadily abated throughout the morning, and we were able to launch Zodiacs and return to Roche Harbor on the north end of San Juan Island. From here, we shuttled to American and British Camps, a pair of relics from the Pig War, a bloodless dispute between the two countries that spanned the 1860s. Luckily, the only shot fired was at a pig that wandered into a farmer’s potato patch and ignited the conflict. We also had the opportunity to explore Friday Harbor and the wonderful whale museum there. The focus of the museum is to share research and up-to-date information on the endangered southern resident orca whale population. Tonight, we raised anchor and battled the last vestiges of the storm for Seattle and the conclusion of an unforgettable week in the Pacific Northwest.
The forecast for wind and weather was not off to a strong start on Friday morning approaching the San Juan Islands. But strong winds and unpredictable rains did not stop us. This is a National Geographic-Lindblad expedition, after all! Rolling with the punches is what we do best. And today it meant a morning of braving the conditions for adventurous Zodiac tours outside Roche Harbor and an afternoon of exploration on land to a sculpture garden and hauntingly eery mausoleum. Our morning Zodiac tours jetted through Mosquito Pass and circumnavigated Henry Island. Beachfront homes and luxury yachts would not satiate our need for wildlife discovery and as we cruised around the southern tip of Henry Island, Naturalist Eric Guth spotted a mass of gulls and seabirds collecting atop a suspected bait ball below the bellowing ocean surface. No one knew what to expect when all five Zodiacs zipped and zig-zagged up to the dazzling zenith of these buzzing birds ablaze with hunger, but our mildest expectations were quite literally blown out of the water. For what would gently plop up but one of the most beautiful and elusive pelagic birds of the area, the ancient murrelet! This was a bird I’d been searching for all year, a lifer or first-time bird for me. It has a small, football-shaped body, a yellow beak, and little white eyebrows. Like all unexpected and great things, it was no coincidence that this happened on the last Zodiac tour of the last trip of the last itinerary of the season in the Pacific Northwest. And it was a joy to be able to share it with everyone here!
National Geographic Venture continued her passage into the fjord system of British Columbia along the Sunshine Coast. Just before sunrise our floating home slowed inside Jervis Inlet at the entrance of Princess Luisa Inlet and Marine Provincial Park. The privilege of being able to see this small piece of paradise is because of one man, James F. “Mac” Macdonald. Mac first saw Princess Louisa Inlet in 1919. This small fjord stole Mac’s heart, and he made it his life’s mission to call this place home. After many years prospecting, Mac struck it rich and was able to purchase 45 acres at the back end of Princess Louisa Inlet right next to Chatterbox Falls, where he remained for the rest of his life. After hosting many visiting small boats, Mac turned his property over to the boating public in 1953 and it eventually became a British Columbia Provincial Marine Park in 1965. In chilly temperatures and clear skies, we explored the five-mile stretch of Princess Louisa Inlet by Zodiacs, also landing in two different sections of this marine park to go hiking, enjoying its beauty from many different perspectives.
Our final sail of the year into the homeland of the ‘Namgis brought us to “Alert Bay,” or ‘Yalis if you’re into traditional placenames and not those coined by a surveyor’s ship in the late 1800’s. Pockets of rain and bright sunshine danced over us and the U’mista Cultural Center. There we viewed the once-forbidden Kwakwaka’wakw potlatching regalia “ransomed” (u’mista) back from Canadia 30 years ago. Just outside we met with local carver Bruce Alfred, the world’s leading bent-wood-box maker, “dry bags before there were dry bags.” He shares all this in the shadow of a bright orange shirt statue that stands tall on the grounds of the old Saint Michael’s residential school, part of the sordid history of government-sanctioned cultural genocide that once ripped through Alert Bay. But just as the sun poked out from the clouds during our stay, it’s a new day in ‘Yalis. Indeed, we were greeted at the big house for our final celebration of the year with the T’sasala cultural group. The community shared their once-illegal dances to preserve a through-line of the culture that has lived on this land since time immemorial. Gilakas’la to all of the ‘Namgis, and see you next year!
Fall in the temperate rainforest brings with it low, even, overcast conditions on the water and a carpet of mushrooms on the forest floor. After anchoring in Tenedos Bay, our hikes took us deep into this rainforest ecosystem revealing much of its fungal cornucopia. From coral fungus to turkey-tails to the often sought after chanterelles! Beyond this, a multitude of other fungal relatives lay at our feet and in our viewfinders. Here are a few gems from the day. Happy mushroom hunting!
It is fascinating to call at each island and see how their lives are inextricably tied to the seas through trade and fisheries—and it is just as fascinating to explore the ancient human history of the only confirmed Viking settlement in North America.