Maple Leaf Adventures
Maple Leaf Adventures
5
Multi-day ToursSafarisBoat ToursEco ToursNature & Wildlife Tours
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Full view
About
Explore the natural wonders and wildlife of the inside passage, including Vancouver Island, the Great Bear Rainforest and Haida Gwaii. These week-long safaris by water are operated by expert guides and naturalists of this award-winning, locally owned ecotourism company. They include plenty of time ashore exploring rainforest, archipelagos, fjords and wild beaches, as well as cultural sites and hot springs. Wildlife viewing (bears, whales, seabirds, marine mammals) is a specialty of this company. Off the roadmap, you'll explore by yacht and anchor in quiet coves at night. Detailed itineraries are on the website.
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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Lusty Glaze Beach
Newquay, UK21 contributions
Oct 2019
This review is a little overdue but only now have found the time to sit and fully contemplate the experience with The Swell and Maple Leaf Adventures.
I was given an experience on the Maple Leaf a few years ago on the Whales and Totems trip. It was life changing. It created such a deep shift in my thinking in a few short days. This was not only the immersion into the incredible wildlife and beauty of the coast but through the exposure to the crew and the company ethics. Rarely in tourism are we lucky enough to find organisations whose values are so clearly communicated and lived by.
In October, I found myself in BC with a few days to spare and booked onto The Swell for the Wines and Islands trip.
From the moment of booking (and yes, I was that guest who had to make some last minute changes!) the staff were accommodating and extremely efficient. On arrival, we were blown away by the entire package. The rooms, the facilities, the attention to detail. With a total of 10 guests and countless crew, nothing was too much trouble. The Swell layout is such that all 10 guests could happily spend alone time on deck or easily be sociable in one of the many communal areas. The crew were skilled in facilitating new friendships and ensuring that everyone was getting exactly what they needed from the trip. I cannot stress how beautiful The Swell is. Add to this the rather funky tenders (mini landing crafts!) which allowed guests who were not so sure footed to access all areas of the tour, we were left wanting for nothing.
The food was exquisite and Tanya’s wine knowledge and pairings were superb. The private wine tours of the various vineyards was a truly wonderful experience.
It is hard to describe how Maple Leave Adventures have successfully managed to combine two unique products and maintain the company ethos and values in both boats. The thread that runs between them is invisible yet you can almost touch it. A gentleness allowing the guest discovery, a structure whilst allowing freedom to explore, an education without being overbearing and most of all, a passion for the natural environment that is infectious.
It was very clear to us that the values the owners and crew of Maple Leaf Adventures hold could be a lesson to us all. Their moto is ‘Remarkable Journeys’. I would flip this to say ‘Remarkable people, helping us understand and experience Remarkable Journeys’
A belated thank you to the entire Crew.
I was given an experience on the Maple Leaf a few years ago on the Whales and Totems trip. It was life changing. It created such a deep shift in my thinking in a few short days. This was not only the immersion into the incredible wildlife and beauty of the coast but through the exposure to the crew and the company ethics. Rarely in tourism are we lucky enough to find organisations whose values are so clearly communicated and lived by.
In October, I found myself in BC with a few days to spare and booked onto The Swell for the Wines and Islands trip.
From the moment of booking (and yes, I was that guest who had to make some last minute changes!) the staff were accommodating and extremely efficient. On arrival, we were blown away by the entire package. The rooms, the facilities, the attention to detail. With a total of 10 guests and countless crew, nothing was too much trouble. The Swell layout is such that all 10 guests could happily spend alone time on deck or easily be sociable in one of the many communal areas. The crew were skilled in facilitating new friendships and ensuring that everyone was getting exactly what they needed from the trip. I cannot stress how beautiful The Swell is. Add to this the rather funky tenders (mini landing crafts!) which allowed guests who were not so sure footed to access all areas of the tour, we were left wanting for nothing.
The food was exquisite and Tanya’s wine knowledge and pairings were superb. The private wine tours of the various vineyards was a truly wonderful experience.
It is hard to describe how Maple Leave Adventures have successfully managed to combine two unique products and maintain the company ethos and values in both boats. The thread that runs between them is invisible yet you can almost touch it. A gentleness allowing the guest discovery, a structure whilst allowing freedom to explore, an education without being overbearing and most of all, a passion for the natural environment that is infectious.
It was very clear to us that the values the owners and crew of Maple Leaf Adventures hold could be a lesson to us all. Their moto is ‘Remarkable Journeys’. I would flip this to say ‘Remarkable people, helping us understand and experience Remarkable Journeys’
A belated thank you to the entire Crew.
Written July 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Linda A
1 contribution
Sept 2019
The Maple Leaf was my first experience on a cruise ship and it has set a very high standard for any potential new cruises. I have traveled with Maple Leaf Adventures on 5 cruises: the Alaska Cruise in 2010, Haida Gwaii in 2011, Broughton Archipelago in 2013, the Great Bear Rainforest in May of 2019 and the Great Bear Rainforest in September of 2019. Each trip has been amazing, the first four were on the Maple Leaf, a very cozy, comfortable 8 passenger ship and each time the captain and crew were exceptional and the wildlife-sea life was spectacular. Viewings of Black bears, Grizzlies, Orcas, Humpback Whales, dolphins, stellar sea lions were not limited by the clock but by what was happening at the time as long as we were at the scheduled anchorage by the end of the day. No set agenda for the day.
Seeing a Spirit Bear has been on my list for quite a while and last September I was finally on my way. This was my first trip on the Cascadia, a lovely, comfortable ship and newest addition to the fleet. As always the crew was friendly, helpful and very knowledgeable about the ship, the surrounding waters, the sea life and animals we encountered on land. They were interested in each and every one of the passengers, learning about us and sharing parts of their lives and their experiences in this beautiful water world.
The waterways of northern BC are unparalleled with the mountains, majestic waterfalls and traveling with Maple Leaf Adventures is a true adventure.
Seeing a Spirit Bear has been on my list for quite a while and last September I was finally on my way. This was my first trip on the Cascadia, a lovely, comfortable ship and newest addition to the fleet. As always the crew was friendly, helpful and very knowledgeable about the ship, the surrounding waters, the sea life and animals we encountered on land. They were interested in each and every one of the passengers, learning about us and sharing parts of their lives and their experiences in this beautiful water world.
The waterways of northern BC are unparalleled with the mountains, majestic waterfalls and traveling with Maple Leaf Adventures is a true adventure.
Written August 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cathy F
Toronto, Canada32 contributions
Jul 2019
Our journey to Haida Gwaii created the most wonderful memories. On this cold winter’s day as I gather all the photos together to make an album, I realize what an extraordinary trip it was.
Days filled with adventures: exploring a flooding limestone cave, visiting the Haida sites, spotting Tufted Puffins, Albatrosses, Cormorants, watching the sea lions, hiking through woods, taking a nap on a soft bed of moss, observing an enormous black bear foraging for crustaceans.
A few of our companions would fish along the way, catching China rockfish, Copper Rock Fish, and Red Snapper (the latter made a delicious dinner). The chef would present a mouth-watering dish at each meal.
A highlight was on Canada Day, we followed the boardwalk through the forest to learn the history of Sgang Gwaay (UNESCO Heritage Site). Then sailed around the tip of Haida Gwaii, Cape St. James. We anchored in Woodruff Bay to explore the long sandy beach. A dinner of a roast fillet and baked veggies with Maple Leaf cookies combined with marshmallows, toasted on our campfire rounded off the meal. After an impromptu game of 5 stick bowling using a ball float found on the beach, we returned to the ship. A full moon shining over the Maple Leaf.
What made this trip truly exceptional was the crew with all their knowledge, the welcoming people of Haida Gwaii, the other passengers ready for any adventure, and the most beautiful schooner so lovingly maintained…a trip of a lifetime.
We will return.
Days filled with adventures: exploring a flooding limestone cave, visiting the Haida sites, spotting Tufted Puffins, Albatrosses, Cormorants, watching the sea lions, hiking through woods, taking a nap on a soft bed of moss, observing an enormous black bear foraging for crustaceans.
A few of our companions would fish along the way, catching China rockfish, Copper Rock Fish, and Red Snapper (the latter made a delicious dinner). The chef would present a mouth-watering dish at each meal.
A highlight was on Canada Day, we followed the boardwalk through the forest to learn the history of Sgang Gwaay (UNESCO Heritage Site). Then sailed around the tip of Haida Gwaii, Cape St. James. We anchored in Woodruff Bay to explore the long sandy beach. A dinner of a roast fillet and baked veggies with Maple Leaf cookies combined with marshmallows, toasted on our campfire rounded off the meal. After an impromptu game of 5 stick bowling using a ball float found on the beach, we returned to the ship. A full moon shining over the Maple Leaf.
What made this trip truly exceptional was the crew with all their knowledge, the welcoming people of Haida Gwaii, the other passengers ready for any adventure, and the most beautiful schooner so lovingly maintained…a trip of a lifetime.
We will return.
Written March 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you, Kathy F. We appreciate you sharing your experience for others. You made us hungry reading it, as we reflected on the chefs' creative cuisine combining foraged ingredients amazingly!
Written March 5, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
LittleIgor
Toronto, Canada327 contributions
Sept 2021
We had great expectations for our trip aboard the Cascadia to the Great Bear Rainforest but sadly, the trip fell short on all fronts. We had the Kunghit cabin which a staff member told us they only rent out if the ship is full - otherwise, it is used by crew members. It is right beside the engine and was very noisy - no resting in your cabin while the engine was running which it often was during the day. The announcements that were made did not come through to our cabin as a result of which we were left behind on the first excursion of the trip. Do they not do a headcount? No apologies, just a promise to come and knock on our door after every announcement which never happened.
The cabin was utilitarian which is pretty much what we had expected. The sink drain leaked which we reported the first day of the cruise. It was never fixed so we had to pick up a towel every day to soak up the water that was ponding on the floor. There was also a constant dripping noise which kept us awake at night. We did not bother to report this after the drain experience. The ship was built in New Zealand so required adapters for all electrical appliances. We were left a box of these in the cabin, none of which worked. When we asked for a replacement, we were told they had all been allocated to other guests but they finally found us one adapter for all our devices.
We had high expectations of this being a bear viewing tour and this was probably our greatest source of disappointment. As we were going during the salmon run, we had visions of bears gathered at the rivers in numbers. There was a big build up for the last day which was to be spent at Gribbell Island. We saw ONE bear after standing in the pouring rain for five hours. We are not expedition voyage neophytes and know there is nothing guaranteed when viewing wildlife. However, when we asked the expedition leader, he told us that best case, they would expect to see two or three bears at this location. The scenery was beautiful and the whales and birdlife plentiful. If you think you are going to see bears however, it would be better to go somewhere else.
Be aware also that there is an expectation of a huge gratuity at the end of your trip. The company gives you a very specific guideline that amounts to a $1000 -$2000 gratuity if you are in the cheapest cabin.
We have done eight expedition cruises all around the world, from pole to pole and this was by far the worst one that we have ever done.
We completed the questionnaire that was left in the cabin and made all of the above comments and more. I guess Maple Leaf Adventures does not care about negative reviews as we had not heard a word from them in the month since we disembarked.
The cabin was utilitarian which is pretty much what we had expected. The sink drain leaked which we reported the first day of the cruise. It was never fixed so we had to pick up a towel every day to soak up the water that was ponding on the floor. There was also a constant dripping noise which kept us awake at night. We did not bother to report this after the drain experience. The ship was built in New Zealand so required adapters for all electrical appliances. We were left a box of these in the cabin, none of which worked. When we asked for a replacement, we were told they had all been allocated to other guests but they finally found us one adapter for all our devices.
We had high expectations of this being a bear viewing tour and this was probably our greatest source of disappointment. As we were going during the salmon run, we had visions of bears gathered at the rivers in numbers. There was a big build up for the last day which was to be spent at Gribbell Island. We saw ONE bear after standing in the pouring rain for five hours. We are not expedition voyage neophytes and know there is nothing guaranteed when viewing wildlife. However, when we asked the expedition leader, he told us that best case, they would expect to see two or three bears at this location. The scenery was beautiful and the whales and birdlife plentiful. If you think you are going to see bears however, it would be better to go somewhere else.
Be aware also that there is an expectation of a huge gratuity at the end of your trip. The company gives you a very specific guideline that amounts to a $1000 -$2000 gratuity if you are in the cheapest cabin.
We have done eight expedition cruises all around the world, from pole to pole and this was by far the worst one that we have ever done.
We completed the questionnaire that was left in the cabin and made all of the above comments and more. I guess Maple Leaf Adventures does not care about negative reviews as we had not heard a word from them in the month since we disembarked.
Written October 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are so sorry to hear that the trip in the Great Bear Rainforest did not meet your expectations. We do try to ensure that every guest understands this is a trip to experience the breadth of the Great Bear Rainforest ecosystem and not just about the bears. We are glad that you were able to experience the beauty of the scenery, marine mammals and seabirds of the region, too. There are trips or years or weather conditions where we see fewer bears and this may have affected your trip. Bears are solitary in nature and careful of their personal security, so it is rare to see more than 1 to 4 bears in a single location. If we failed to set your expectations about that we certainly regret it. A couple of factual corrections for the people reading this -- being a Canadian company, there is absolutely no requirement to leave a tip for the 100% Canadian crew and guides; however many people wish to do so. It is also entirely confidential and not monitored in any way. We used to not provide guidelines for tipping because we consider it a personal choice, but so many people asked us to, we provide a carefully worded example of what people might consider if they do want to leave a tip. Thank you for filling out the post-trip survey form at the end of your trip. We do in fact read every one, but they do not come back to our office immediately, as the ship is operating in a remote location and it is only when people come out from there that packages are delivered. Due to the extra logistical challenges hidden behind the scenes of operating trips in 2021, there may well have been a delay in their review. We were surprised to hear that you had an issue with the sink that wasn't looked after and we'll definitely be following up.
Written January 20, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Michelle C
1 contribution
May 2020
No commitment to the customer. Would highly recommend that you avoid them like the plague!
In January 2020 we booked a Great Bear Rainforest trip with Maple Leaf Adventures (MLA) on the MV Swell. We were clearly informed about the no refund policy and advised to take out trip cancellation insurance, which we did.
Along comes COVID. In March they email us and say that they’re still going but we would have to self isolate for 2weeks before joining them so we should start the process to utilize our cancellation insurance. No way we can isolate. We would have to take 2 different plane rides to get to the starting location. However we write and say we’re not ready to cancel.
Next time they write they’re writing to tell us that they are cancelling since they’ve been advised by Transport Canada that they are not allowed to go forward. BTW, they ask, how are things are progressing with our cancellation insurance.
Now my questions are? How can they cancel and not provide us with our money back? We paid for a product and they’re not providing it. Why should the insurance company be paying? MLA never offered us any options. A trip next year; a voucher or even another trip later this year. On their website they are advertising trips for August and accepting reservations and fees.
Michelle
In January 2020 we booked a Great Bear Rainforest trip with Maple Leaf Adventures (MLA) on the MV Swell. We were clearly informed about the no refund policy and advised to take out trip cancellation insurance, which we did.
Along comes COVID. In March they email us and say that they’re still going but we would have to self isolate for 2weeks before joining them so we should start the process to utilize our cancellation insurance. No way we can isolate. We would have to take 2 different plane rides to get to the starting location. However we write and say we’re not ready to cancel.
Next time they write they’re writing to tell us that they are cancelling since they’ve been advised by Transport Canada that they are not allowed to go forward. BTW, they ask, how are things are progressing with our cancellation insurance.
Now my questions are? How can they cancel and not provide us with our money back? We paid for a product and they’re not providing it. Why should the insurance company be paying? MLA never offered us any options. A trip next year; a voucher or even another trip later this year. On their website they are advertising trips for August and accepting reservations and fees.
Michelle
Written June 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We were saddened to read your note here on Trip Advisor, about the effects of the various health and travel advisories related to COVID-19 and your trip. We were also sad that you chose not to speak with us, despite our attempt to look after you when you indicated you’d be making a claim with your cancellation insurance, and our attempts to keep in touch with how it was going for you.
[Note: For the people reading this review, we note that once we saw this, we followed up again, and have spoken with our guest on the phone and sent other details via email. It is unfortunate that, although our guest’s distress was real, there are some inaccuracies written in the review that came from and misunderstandings, and that other people will read and may end up believing. So we felt it was important not only to speak with our guest personally and privately as we have done, but also to write a response here, however artificial that seems.]
The health and safety effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the province of BC’s recommendations for safe distancing, self-isolation that you mention, and things like that, are not something that is of our making or that we have any say in or control over ourselves. It can make things difficult, but it’s not a reflection on Maple Leaf Adventures.
When governments began posting travel advisories shutting down travel between countries, on cruise ships, and so forth, we emailed our guests and let them know that if they did have trip cancellation insurance and were unable to travel, then they could make an insurance claim. That is what insurance policies are for, and why our guests purchase them. We have been an advocate of cancellation insurance for decades to prevent guests from catastrophic things that prevent them from doing a trip once their fare becomes non-refundable. We know that you intended to take this action and we supported you with the documents you needed and asked you to keep in touch with us to let us know how it was going so that we could help you further depending on the process. This was the last communication we had with you, until you posted this review, which was really disheartening. We regret that somehow in this process, one we have until now not been familiar with, a misunderstanding occurred that resulted in this review. We believe it takes two to tango and therefore that our communication with you could have been better in some way.
We also let you know that Transport Canada issued a sudden shutdown for all passenger vessels like ours in Canada to June 30, 2020, which was Transport Canada shutting down an industry and not providing any compensation to the affected parties, specifically you who had paid for your non-refundable trip and insured it, and us who had also paid almost all of the (non-refundable) expenses up-front to operate it that month. You see, in boutique adventure travel, we operators (lodges, little ships, safaris) must take on and pay for almost all of the expenses of our trips long before we operate them. It’s the nature of these trips, which provide exceptional experiences in remote locations, but they do require a non-refundable period beforehand as a result.
With regard to other remedies, it is our understanding from our communications with you that you had cancellation insurance and intended to proceed with your claim. We knew that this is the best remedy for the guests with the forethought, like you, to have purchased it. We wish that you had gotten back in touch with us as we asked for, if you had changed your mind, to talk about the situation before cutting things off like this. You see, if you have an insurance claim in process, which we understood that you did, your insurer could deny your claim if you asked for and we gave you a travel credit as a back-up plan to the insurance refund. This policy of insurance companies is not really fair to tour operators, despite the fact that we support the idea of cancellation insurance. It puts us in a very uncomfortable position as a boutique ecotourism company, because it is in our nature to want to look after our guests and exceed their expectations. Yet, we cannot send out an offer of any back-up plan to an insurance claim if the claim falls through – or we will immediately make the claim fall through for our guest.
Again, we note that we have now followed up privately with our guest by phone and email following our discovery of this review, to clear up any misunderstandings. We welcome any questions you may like to ask us (while respecting guest privacy) by phone.
Warm regards,
The management team
Written July 18, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Becky E
1 contribution
May 2024 • Family
If you love wild spaces, are looking for an intimate cultural experience, AND to be immersed in nature, I recommend booking as soon as you can as the cultural sites will change more and more as time passes. The team was incredible. Having Dee Dee on the ship was huge for us. It was so amazing to such an honour to be welcomed to so many Unesco sites. Gwaii Haanas is a magical part of the world. Micheal, the naturalist, was so knowledgeable and open! Phil the Trip Leader was an incredibly passionate story teller and a true master at his craft. Jeff the captain was relateable and obviously incredibly skilled. Blythe, the steward was attentive and kind. The attention to safety top notch. This experience is accessible, if you have mobility issues the team is really there to support you in getting the most out of this experience. The food was nourishing, the flows of the days well thought out. We went with our family and we all left feeling complete awe and so incredibly lucky that we were able to experience Haida Gwaii in this way. Thank you Maple Leaf Adventures! We will be back!
Written May 31, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for sharing your magical experience and your insights for future guests!
Written June 28, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
RowerDeb57
Victoria, Canada12 contributions
Jun 2022
Do you want a once in a life time experience? This was my fourth trip with Maple Leaf Adventures and each time it has been a deeply enriching, absolutely memorable time set in spectacular landscapes.
Exploring the Gardner Canal and the Kitlope Valley was an incredible experience and doing this on the gorgeous Maple Leaf classic, tall ship, schooner was fantastic.
Yes you do need to be somewhat nimble to get around the ship and into zodiacs but as mentioned by someone else that means a certain type of guest joins in the adventure.
Everything is done to make the whole experience as comfortable, delicious and experiential as possible. The crew are constantly looking for ways to enrich each persons experience.
The cultural stories that were shared, the knowledge of Capt Kevin and his deep relationship with the Haisla First Nation made the journey very impactful.
The coast of BC and Alaska are culturally rich and support a huge diversity of species and environments that are world class. I was blown away on this trip by the steep fjords that we travelled along. I loved waterfall alley and getting up close to the base of a raging torrent coming down the mountainside.
The agenda for each day was shared and posted, but it was fluid depending on what we may encounter.
This company has very high standards for their crew and ships and they take you on a journey to places where magic happens. I will be back!
Exploring the Gardner Canal and the Kitlope Valley was an incredible experience and doing this on the gorgeous Maple Leaf classic, tall ship, schooner was fantastic.
Yes you do need to be somewhat nimble to get around the ship and into zodiacs but as mentioned by someone else that means a certain type of guest joins in the adventure.
Everything is done to make the whole experience as comfortable, delicious and experiential as possible. The crew are constantly looking for ways to enrich each persons experience.
The cultural stories that were shared, the knowledge of Capt Kevin and his deep relationship with the Haisla First Nation made the journey very impactful.
The coast of BC and Alaska are culturally rich and support a huge diversity of species and environments that are world class. I was blown away on this trip by the steep fjords that we travelled along. I loved waterfall alley and getting up close to the base of a raging torrent coming down the mountainside.
The agenda for each day was shared and posted, but it was fluid depending on what we may encounter.
This company has very high standards for their crew and ships and they take you on a journey to places where magic happens. I will be back!
Written June 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stephen M
Edmonton, Canada36 contributions
Haida Gwai with Canadian Geographic special trip onboard the Cascadia Catamaran, June 6 to 14, 2022.
Jun 2022 • Friends
This trip exceeded all of our expectations, it was everything advertises and so much more! The ships crew were so helpful and amazing, with attention to every detail. The food which is all included was gourmet dinning at it’s finest for every meal. Jeff Reynolds our lead guide was one of the best we have ever encountered, and we (my wife and I) have travelled on all 7 continents. All of the quest speakers aboard our vessel were outstanding! The nature, the raw beauty of Haida Gwaii is spectacular, the flora and fauna are like no where else on this earth! The Haida peoples history, culture and outlook in general is truly to be admired! The Haida peoples “Watchman” program is world class and the information passed on to tourists is very moving. We look forward to to travelling with Maple Leaf Adventures in 2024 again on another tour in search of the Spirit (white) bear. Thank you Stephen Middleton
Written June 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peggy H
1 contribution
May 2022
My recent trip to Haida Gwaii with Maple Leaf Adventures was "a trip of a lifetime". The beauty of BC was spectacular but what I didn't expect was the beauty that my heart felt when the Haida Gwaii guide, Gaajiiaawa or Linda, spoke to us of her culture and knowledge that the land shares. They also had a naturalist on board whose passion with the aquatic species was contagious! I cannot put into words the feeling I had when kayaking on the calm morning waters while seals playfully popped up to see what was going on and eagles soared overhead. That peaceful moment will stay with me forever. The crew on the ship worked tirelessly to make sure you were comfortable. Everyone pitched in where necessary (even the Captain was serving food one night and one of the engineers made me a latte in the morning). You observed the cooperation and respect they had for each other and for the everyone on board taking the trip. A special thank you for Alina for helping me with my eye! The food was delicious and I felt like I was in a 5star restaurant as the presentation was beautiful too! And to top if off, I did not have to take a picture so I was able to be present and soak up the beauty instead of digging for my camera as they presented a great slide presentation at the end of the trip. I will definitely be returning! Thank you Maple Leaf and the Cascadia Crew. Peggy
Written June 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nick M
London, UK81 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
Having had a wonderful family trip on SV Maple Leaf on 2019, we returned in Oct 2023 with a group of friends for the longer Great Bear Rainforest trop. This was simply the best holiday we have ever experienced. The vessel herself is very special (historic and characterful). The landscape extraordinary (remote, beautiful, huge in scale). The wildlife sightings were unbelievable (will vary on every trip but for us highlights were: a group of 8 humpbacks bubble net feeding; two coastal wolves; a close 30 minute encounter of a black bear working up a river right across the bank from us; and a number of brown bear sightings including bears swimming). But the crew bring it all together in a very special way with wonderful food; insightful knowledge from the naturalist but also the other crew members and the local knowledge of the captain, first mate and deckhand. Added to this an emphasis on ecology ensuring a minimal impact on the special environment, respect for first nations traditions and land, and contribution to local marine conservation. Memories for a lifetime.
Written October 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wow, thank you, 227nickm.
Written December 22, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Hello Michael, the all-inclusive prices range depending on the length of trip, the ship, our cost to operate etc. They include all accommodations, all meals and snacks prepared by the chef, all beverages including wine and beer, all guiding, shore trips, port and other fees, and use of gear on board including kayaks. For example, a 5-day Gulf Islands National Park trip on the Maple Leaf is CAD $2095 per person plus tax (approx USD $1600). A 10-day Alaska Adventure on Swell is CAD $10,021 (approx USD $7650), and an 8-day Great Bear Rainforest trip in autumn on Cascadia is CAD $9048 (approx USD $6900). A Desolation Sound trip on Swell is .CAD $3013 (approx USD $3200). You can see the prices and trips on our website by choosing Dates and Rates from the menu.
Written January 24, 2020
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