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The Rainforest Coast of British Columbia encompasses the largest remaining intact temperate rainforest in the world. While it is often the beauty of BC’s coastal rainforests which enthrall visitors from throughout the world, it is the productiveness of these forests that intrigue scientists. BC’s coastal rainforests feature the highest biomass (the total amount or mass of organisms in a given area) per hectare of any ecosystem on earth. Trees here can often live more than 1,000 years, reaching hundreds of feet into the air, with diameters exceeding 9.4m (31 ft).

This region offers visitors unique opportunities to view grizzly bears in their natural surroundings in the Khutzeymateen, experience the world-renowned Haida First Nation heritage sites of Gwaii Haanas, and serenely kayak in the spectacular Kitlope Valley.

Coastal rainforests provide critical habitat for incredibly varied populations of animals. Well-known species include grizzly bears, eagles, and the rare Kermode or Spirit bear, an unusual snow-white variation of the black bear.

The coastal rainforests are among the rarest and most productive ecosystems on the planet; they are also disappearing before we know almost anything about them. It’s as if we are burning the library before we have read the books. Only in the last 10 years have scientists begun to learn about the fragile system of interrelationships that makes up the beautiful web of life in these “green cathedrals”. In the meantime salmon, which our fisheries as well as a multitude of other animals depend upon, are disappearing forever along with many other species that can live only in coastal rainforests.

The temperate rainforest is very rare, originally covering less than 0.2% of the earth’s land surface. Now, over one half of that limited original temperate rainforest has been logged and altered; of that which remains worldwide, over one quarter is found on BC’s coast.

Recently environmental organizations have been able to turn the spotlight of international concern to BC’s rainforests. Efforts to protect such ‘Great Spaces’ as the Kitlope and Great Bear Wilderness, have become internationally known as have the Queen Charlotte Islands’ Gwaii Haanas, and the Walbran Valley.

But time is running out. So far only 5.8% of BC’s ancient rainforests have been protected and much of the rest has been scheduled to be clearcut in the next decade.

According to the respected Washington DC based World Resources Institute: “The Earth’s last frontier forests may indeed be the most valuable gift we can leave for our children. Guardians of biodiversity, indigenous cultures, and ecological processes, frontiers also provide recreational and ecotourism opportunities. Because so many irreplaceable forests have already disappeared, the worth to future generations of those that remain is greater than ever.”

Courtesy : http://www.greatwildspaces.org/rainforest.html

The Gulf Islands are made up of over a dozen large islands. They are interspersed with a multitude of islets too numerous to count. This special west coast Gulf Island paradise of Canada is a small taste of the Mediterranean, blended with a unique Canadian flavour.

The Gulf Islands enjoy less than 30 inches of rain per year. Lying southwest of the Strait of Georgia, along the coast of Vancouver Island between Campbell River to the north and Victoria to the south, this necklace of islands is surrounded by sheltered waters, strong tides, and dramatic coastlines.

The Gulf Islands enjoy less than 30 inches of rain per year. Lying southwest of the Strait of Georgia, along the coast of Vancouver Island between Campbell River to the north and Victoria to the south, this necklace of islands is surrounded by sheltered waters, strong tides, and dramatic coastlines.

The Gulf Islands offer the most unique experience in British Columbia, one that you are certain never to forget!

(some text excerpted from: http://www.gulfislandsguide.com/)

Vancouver Island is one of the best spots in the world for Orca Whale watching. There are a number of different companies that offer this type of tour and you can expect to find a variety of different types of whales at different times of the year.

Southern Resident Orcas are more often seen April through November and you have a better chance of seeing Humpbacks, September through January. Gray whales are also occassional seen throughout the year as they transit seasonally. Transient Orcas are sighted throughout the year but you are more likely to catch sight of them during the winter season when there is an abundance of seals and sealions to feed on. Summer is always a good time to find Minke whales.

All reputable Whale Watching companies will follow practices that protect the whales such as not coming closer than 100 yards. Though some whales will swim right up to the boats. It is also not recommended to stay in close contact for more than 30 minutes at a time.

Construction of the buildings began in 1893 in honor of Queens Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee but it was not until 1915 that the buildings were completed. It is also interesting to note that crews used local materials as much as possible for the building process. The granite rock foundations were brought in from nearby Nelson Island, the site facades were locally imported from Haddington Island and much of the local brick, lime and Douglas Fir were from Vancouver Island.

Today there are visitor tours daily during the summer months. Usually the tours run between May long weekend and Labour Day long weekend in September. The tours are also available in French, German, Mandarin and Cantonese.

Location: Belleville Street, Downtown Victoria, Inner Harbour

Phone: 1-250-387-3046

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BC Ferries also known as British Columbia Ferry Services Inc, has had a proud maritime history since the 1960s. The original service began with just two vessels and two terminals and is now one of the largest ferry transportation systems in the world. They have over 47 ports of call along the beautiful coast of British Columbia, Canada.

These ports of call include the crossings between Vancouver Island and B.C.’s Lower Mainland that can last from 95 minutes to two hours, depending on which route you take. Other ports include the Sunshine Coast, Brentwood and Mill Bay. If you desire more of a “cruise line” experience, try a voyage through British Columbia’s majestic Inside Passage. This will take you from Port Hardy at the nothern end of Vancouver Island all the way to Prince Rupert, the gateway to southeat Alaska.

Another voyage not to miss, if you are looking to experience the beauty of The Gulf Islands is the crossing from Prince Rupert to Queen Charlotte Islands. Queen Charlotte Islands is known as the “Canadian Galapagos”. It is also the the ancestral home of the Haida Aboriginal Nation and features many unique cultural attractions.

For more information on rates, routes or bookings please visit the official BC Ferries website: www.bcferries.com