The rich (and recent) history of the Inside Passage adds to its indescribable natural beauty. All of the early explorers, Russian, Spanish, English and American explorers were here in waves through the past three hundred years. Some found what they sought, some answered questions that had yet to be asked, and others failed utterly. The myths and lives of native people weave their magic through it all.

The M/V Catalyst invites you to make your own voyage of discovery along this singular ocean pathway. Our historic vessel, with her original, slow-turning diesel engine, easily invokes those earlier ships. It is easy to imagine that John Muir occupies the adjacent cabin and that you are accompanying him on one of his trips north. Together you are traveling aboard one of the many small coastal steamers that plied these waters for 100 years, serving as the cords that tied the scattered settlements of the Northwest coast together even just 50 years ago.

We will transit the narrow “back-roads” of the Southern Inside Passage. Tide and weather will set our itinerary, just as it did for those who went before. Traveling only during the daylight, and finding a different protected anchorage each evening, and moving at 7 1/2 knots, we will have time to “read along” with the many narratives from earlier explorers that we have in our ships library.

Suggested Itinerary:

Day 1~2: We welcome you aboard at 12noon. After an introduction to the boat we will have a late lunch as we are underway. Good time to explore the Catalyst, spend time checking out her pilot house and engine room as we head south to cross the legendary Dixon Entrance and leave Alaskan waters for the shores of British Columbia. With good weather we should make our layover in Foggy Bay or continue across for another safe harbor. We leave an extra day in our schedule so that we can take advantage of favorable tides and winds, as we attempt as smooth a crossing as possible.

Days 3~4: We are now in the true "Inside Passage". We'll see barges, tugs, ferries and cruise ships. We will make a few turns off of the "main road" to visit some interesting fjords and bays. We have the option of visiting a natural hot spring for a nice warm soak; we can take some time to explore narrow, ice sculpted canyons lined with waterfalls and in the river delta at the inlets head, we may see a brown bear feeding on sedges. This is also the homeland of the rare "Spirit Bear", a genetic mutation in the black bears of this region causes about 10% of them to be born with white fur. They are hard to see from the water, but sharp eyes may be rewarded! Also watch for wolves.

Days 5~6: During this time we will we'll make our open-ocean crossing. Queen Charlotte Sound can be formidable, so we'll make an early start. Calm weather assumed, we will have the anchor back down in the remote and beautiful Schooner Cove. A short skiff ride and hike takes us to a beach that is exposed to the brunt of the oceans assault on the land. Wreckage from several unfortunate vessels serve to keep us humble! If the weather allows, this is a beautiful place for a sunset beach fire.

Day 7~9: During this time we will be experiencing big currents! We have three major rapids to navigate, and to-the-minute timing is essential. We will transit Whirlpool Point, Dent and Greene Point Rapids. All three offer slack current windows of only a few minutes, and we need to be perfect in our timing to avoid trouble. One anchorage will be the abandoned native settlement of Village Island. A beach hike can reveal fallen long-house beams in the salal and wild roses as well as a totem. Traveling south through the Copeland Islands and down into Desolation Sound, with anchorage perhaps at Squirrel Cove. This is a good place for us to launch kayaks and take a relaxed paddle around this protected cove. A unique feature of Squirrel Cove is a lagoon with a reversing tidal rapid. Great fun in the warm waters of summer. No big currents to face, but still big waters to cross. The Gulf of Georgia is about 30 miles square, and can generate significant wind waves. We will cross from the mainland side of the Gulf into the sheltered waters of the Gulf Islands of Vancouver Island with a potential stop at Nanaimo. We will celebrate our last night with the Captain's Ball, sharing in our adventures together.

Day 10: Like all other trips through these narrow reaches, our schedule is set around the tides. The narrowest passages become choke points for the currents flow, and can produce water flows double the speed of the "Catalyst". As we continue through the Gulf and San Juan Islands, crossing again the international border we go through customs in Friday Harbor. Here we say goodbye and invite you to explore Friday Harbor before you head home aboard the ferry or plane. We will arrive in time to make the evening ferry.

Inside Passage - Up and down the coast of British Columbia from San Juan Island to Bella Bella, B.C., to Ketchikan, Alaska. Opportunity to explore and learn to navigate the inlets, islands, bays, channels and waterways of the Pacific Northwest. View First Nation villages and towns. Discover the stillness and movement of wilderness and the challenge of crossing ocean straits. Enjoy the wonders of the rocketing tides, rapids and narrows of some of the world's fastest water as mentioned in National Geographic's August 2006 article on WHERE CURRENTS COLLIDE.

Trip dates subject to change and whole boat charters. Whole Boat Charters for portions of the trip are available. This includes a 10 day trip in the Great Bear Rainforest of BC from Bella Bella, BC to Ketchikan or vice versa, arranged in advance. Please contact Pacific Catalyst for custom whole boat charters before and after are regularly scheduled SE Alaska trips.

NOTE: ALL PASSENGERS REQUIRED TO HAVE PASSPORTS! No exceptions. Law change!

Trip Offered 2008 and 2009 ( see updated schedule [2008, 2009] for availability or call )

Trip Rates:
2008: Northbound only: Southbound is Great Bear Rainforest trip:
$3400 to $4000 per person (DO, special rates for own cabin, single berths available in some cabins)
Whole Boat Charter: $34,340.

2009: $3860 to $4410 per person (DO, special rates for own cabin, single berths available in some cabins)
Whole Boat Charter: $37,961.