OCEAN LIGHT II ADVENTURES

COASTAL EXPLORATION ABOARD THE OCEAN LIGHT II

ABOUT US

OCEAN LIGHT II ADVENTURES has been in operation for 32 years on the BC Coast. Originally running fishing and sailing tours in BC's Gulf Islands on a 36 ft sailboat, we have grown through four progressively larger boats to finally arrive at our magnificent 71' Ocean Light II. The Ocean Light II and her crew have more chartering and coastal experience on the BC Coast than any other operation. In 1979, we were one of the first charter boats to visit Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands) and spent a great deal of time and energy involved in the battle to preserve and protect the South Moresby wilderness. After protection for the area was designated, we began to spread our wings and look for new areas on the BC coast that needed protection. We found such a place in the Khutzeymateen Valley, a coastal fjord north of Prince Rupert and home to as many as 50 grizzly bears. In 1987, we joined forces with the Valhalla Society and offered our boat to show the area to individuals who were willing and able to help get it protected. In 1992, the area was protected and a Grizzly Bear Sanctuary was created. We were the first boat to offer professionally-guided grizzly bear tours and are now authorized by BC Parks to bring people into the Khutzeymateen to see, photograph and experience these great animals. In 1990, we became aware of another bear on our coast whose habitat was being destroyed, the Spirit Bear.

Again with the Valhalla Society, we visited Princess Royal Island and had our first glimpse of this rare and beautiful bear. We have been back every year, travelling every mile of coast in the Spirit Bear habitat, walking streams and exploring valleys. We offer tours to the area, and hope that by showing individuals this unique animal in its threatened environment, we can raise the level of awareness and help in its preservation. The Spirit Bear Park Proposal is still an ongoing issue and one we hope will get designation soon. Each year we visit the grizzly bears in the spring and the spirit bears in the fall and we fill the summer months with trips to the spectacular waters of SE Alaska and the magical waters of Haida Gwaii. Over the years we have facilitated many film crews and professional photographers and artists. Guests we have had on our boat include: Robert Kennedy Jr. and family, David Suzuki and family, Robert and Birgit Bateman, Tony Onley, Brock Evans, The Fifth Estate, Discovery Channel (Great Canadian Parks), Champions of the Wild, W5, The Nature of Things, NHK Japanese Television, Anheuser-Busch Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, etc.

Our goal has always been to provide opportunities for self-exploration. We run tours with small, intimate groups and use the boat as a vehicle to get you to fantastic places, where you can get on shore to walk, explore, photograph, paint, and relax. We have years of experience in all the areas that we visit and are always more than willing to show you the wonders of these places. We also like to give individuals the chance to fulfil their own dreams at their own pace: If you want to spend hours just listening to and watching the wilderness, or you want to study the intricate intertidal zone with a book, or spend hours photographing the rocks on the beach, you can. If you want to try your hand at the helm, help trim the sails, or just watch in amazement as the boat gets lifted by the wind, you can.

We want people who want to learn, are ready for adventure and are willing to participate in all that we offer.

Our focus has always been on the environment. We pride ourselves on no to low impact travel, leaving areas as we found them. We also hope that by increasing people's awareness, we will be able to preserve our trees, fish, bears and wildlife that make BC a unique coastal habitat. Safety is always our top priority. We make all our decisions and design our itineraries with safety in mind and strive to give you a trip filled with adventure, new sights, new sounds and new experiences.

WHY CHOOSE US?????

• The Ocean Light II and her crew have 32 years experience on the BC Coast . We have years of experience exploring the numerous bays, beaches, rivers, valleys and wildlife.
  
  
• We offer professionally guided bear viewing trips. With 23 years of bear guiding to our credit and the honour of developing the bear viewing program on the coast, we have an unparalleled knowledge of the bears on the coast.
  
  
• Our skippers have a Master's Certificate from the Canadian Coast Guard and keep the boat to a standard above what is accepted by the Canadian Coast Guard.
  
  
• We have a world class sailboat, the Ocean Light II, a beautiful, powerful well maintained yacht. She has been completely rebuilt and re finished and offers semi-private cabins, two heads and ample relaxation space both inside and out.
  
  
• We offer plenty of hearty, healthy food. We serve all organic grains and coffee and strive to serve food that is good for all.
  
  
• 23 years bear guiding to our credit
  
  
• We will welcome you aboard our home and show you the wonders of the BC Coast.