Discovery Coast Air and Cruise Tour
Itinerary
Day1.	Vancouver to Port Hardy
Board your Pacific Coastal flight this morning at the south terminal of Vancouver International Airport for the 1 ? hour non-stop flight to Port Hardy at the north end of Vancouver Island. On your way you'll look down at spectacular snow-capped mountains and fiord- like scenery. On arrival, pick up your rental vehicle and travel south to Port McNeill where you can take one of BC Ferries' frequent departures to Alert Bay, for a visit to the famous U'mista Cultural Centre, with its fine Potlatch and mask collection. The village has an abundance of First Nation paintings and totem poles. Or choose to visit Sointula, settled by Finnish settlers early in the 20th Century. After returning to Port McNeill, if time permits, drive south to Telegraph Cove, a tiny community mostly built on stilts overlooking a tranquil inlet, which offers some brilliant photography opportunities. Return to Port Hardy for the night. Overnight: Port Hardy
Day2.	Enjoy Discovery Coast Passage Voyage
After breakfast at your hotel, drive to BC Ferries' terminal at nearby Bear Cove, leave your rental vehicle with the attendant, and board the Queen of Chilliwack for your Discovery Coast Passage voyage. Here your options increase: you can book for a one day voyage on Thursdays that visits one port en route, a two day voyage on Tuesdays visiting two ports, or a three day voyage departing on Saturday that visits 4 ports. We'll just deal with the 2 day voyage. From our decks and lounges you can experience the solitude of sheltered inlets surrounded by evergreen-covered islands and towering fjords, where eagles soar, dolphins play, and whales surface and plunge. Stop in McLoughlin Bay and experience a cultural historic tour of six village sites in nearby Bella Bella, or perhaps a tour of the waterways aboard an authentic First Nations canoe. In the evening, after dinner (perhaps a barbecue deckside if the weather's appropriate), enjoy bingo, video, or even a singalong with the crew before retiring in your recliner seat for the night. Overnight: On Board Ship
Day3.	Bella Coola to Vancouver
Early this morning you'll arrive at Bella Coola. You can rent a car or bike (Bay Motor Inn) if you'd like to explore on your own, or perhaps you'd like to be taken on a river rafting adventure. A variety of adventure choices await you in the Bella Coola Valley, from fishing to hiking and the area is a favourite of naturalists, photographers and artists. You may wish to stay overnight (advance reservations essential) or catch your mid-afternoon flight back to Vancouver.