Pacific Coastal Cruises: Excursions

While the existence of the cave complex near Horne Lake was no doubt known about for centuries by the island’s indigenous people, it was not mentioned in writing until 1912. As news of it spread outside the local community in the ensuing decades, increasing numbers of visitors, resulted in acts of vandalism and “souvenir gathering.” The caves gained protection and professional management when they were designated a Provincial Park in 1985. Meet your guide on the pier and drive for an hour north east along the coast to Horne Lake Provincial Park, voted BC's Best Natural Site. A gravel road leads you to the trail head, from where you'll hike about 1.5 miles / 2.4 km along a fairly steep trail to the cave entrance. Follow your guide down the narrow ladder and into the cave, where you’ll spend about 40 minutes exploring the Main Cave, with its beautiful crystal formations and numerous fossils. Once back on the surface, hike back to your van and drive to a spot above Horne Lake for a gourmet picnic of smoked wild salmon, local cheeses, crackers, olive/pickle platter and a Nanaimo dessert bar. Afterwards, return to Nanaimo, where you may elect to be dropped off downtown or return directly to the pier. Note: Participants must be at least 8 years of age and weigh no more than 300 lbs. less

Enjoy your visit to Ketchikan with a bird's eye view of this historic town. Your flight takes off from the Ketchikan waterfront, flies over the community, and immediately enters the wilderness. Your expert local pilot/guide will point out the highlights and provide insights of Alaskan lifestyles. Make sure your camera is loaded and ready as your pilot watches for bear and mountain goats in this area of pristine grandeur. See how the residents of this frontier-style community live amongst islands and at the edge of a rich wilderness. Experience a richly forested fjord, lined with massive granite cliffs, waterfalls, and a multitude of lakes below. Marvel at the close-up views of the spectacular snowcapped Ketchikan Alps, including Deer, Fish, Achilles and Buck mountains. Your experience unfolds as you descend through a lush valley and over the rustic Herring Cove community. Your pilot will carry you along the Revillagigedo Island coast and by the Saxman Native Village. Admire Saxman's many totem poles as they tower into the sky and have one more glimpse of the mountainous background of town before descending onto the Ketchikan waterfront. Your flight path will be weather dependent and hand selected by your pilot. Note: Binoculars and telephoto lens are recommended. less

Enjoy a narrated transfer by motorcoach to Knudson Cove where you will board a motorized rigid hull inflatable Seahawk for an exciting 30 minute cruise along Clover Passage to a remote island in the Tongass National Forest. During your cruise you are likely to view marine life including whales, sea lions, seals, porpoise as well as bald eagles. Arriving on the island you’ll be given an orientation on Geocaching and be divided into small groups. Each group will be provided with a Global Positioning System (GPS) device already preloaded with the coordinates that you'll need to find your caches. Groups will be given a separate coordinate to start the hunt and you'll be searching for your treasure on the beach and along a well maintained boardwalk trail through a beautiful old growth rainforest. Each cache discovered will reveal coordinates for the next cache until the ultimate destination cache is found. Your guide will meander among the groups to assist as needed and provide interesting information about the botanic species native to the area and historical information about the importance of the forest to the early Natives of the region. Once your group has found its treasure, you'll gather around a campfire and enjoy an Alaskan style snack before heading back to the marina to board your motorcoach to return to your ship. Note: Participants must weigh at least 40 lbs. Children 12 years of age and under must be accompanied by an adult. Children 13-17 years of age must have a signed parental consent form to participate in the absence of a parent or guardian. Not recommended for pregnant women. less

Your excursion begins as you board your motor coach for a scenic, narrated 25 minute drive out of downtown Ketchikan to Knudson Cove, an "off the beaten track" waterfront property in the Tongass National Forest, your playground for the next 2 hours. Before you begin your adventure, professional guides will instruct and outfit you with the best safety equipment in an open air forest pavilion. Then the adventure begins as gravity pulls you along a series of zip lines and connecting elements. You'll catch glimpses of bald eagles and the ocean below as you glide through old growth cedars, break out onto an ocean platform, zip back to a soft forest landing, onto the Eagle’s Nest Platform, traverse a swaying log, swing across rope loops, feel the speed and acceleration of landing on the "Ocean Zip" platform located 50’ over the water, and finally the rush of zipping to the ground. Once back on ground, if you still haven't had enough, head over to the 50-foot climbing tower where guides will show you techniques needed to climb to the top. A circular staircase inside the tower enables others to climb up, take in the mountain and ocean views, and snap photos of climbers proudly ringing the bell at the top of the wall. Don’t worry! These ziplines are easy. There is no hand braking, the braking systems are state of the art. For the less adventurous members of your party, guides can assist you to skip elements. After your adventure, there is time to shop for souvenirs before boarding your motor coach for the return drive back to the pier. Note: participants must be at least 4’6’ tall, weigh a minimum of 70 lbs and maximum of 280 lbs. Not recommended for pregnant women or those who have back, neck or spinal issues. less

Your adventure begins at the pier, travels through Astoria and crosses Young Bay Bridge. Sit back and marvel at the impressive views of Saddle Mountain, one of Oregon's highest peaks; the city views of Astoria, and the Astoria Megler Bridge, noted as the longest bridge in Oregon and at almost four miles, it has a distinction of being the world's longest continuous truss bridge. As your motorcoach winds its way along the 110-mile section of the Pacific Coast Highway, you'll travel through the Oregon Coast Range. This lush mountain range of sitka spruce, western red cedar, douglas fir,and hemlock march down to the sea and its powder soft beaches. Along your journey, be on the lookout for wildlife such as elks, bears, rabbits, eagles and blue herons. One of the first coastal villages you'll pass is Seaside. Popular for over a century, this charming resort offers boutiques, art galleries, miles of beach and not a single parking meter. Continuing southward, you'll pass Cannon Beach, famous for the natural phenomenon known as Haystack Rock. Composed of basalt, this 235 foot tall rock formation is the home to puffins, sea gulls cormorants. As you get closer to Tillamook, you'll drive over Neahkahnie Mountain. Rising over 1,590 feet above sea level, legend has it that buried deep somewhere in the mountain is a lost treasure, hidden by Spanish sailors in the late 16th century. Your first stop is the Tillamook Air Museum, which is housed in a rare World War II blimp hangar. Reaching over 15 stories high and stretching over seven acres, it's the world's largest wooden structure. Not only can you see 30 U.S. warplanes but actually climb into a jet simulator, and explore the exhibit hall that features historical wartime and aviation artifacts. During your visit, you will have a buffet lunch and refreshment. Your next destination is the legendary Tillamook Ice Creamery and Cheese Factory. Here, you can watch the cheese makers at work, enjoy a sample or two and indulge in ice cream and fudge. Reboard your motorcoach for a quick visit to Cannon Beach. less