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Special Offer

$300 per person discount for all new 2021 and 2022 bookings confirmed by Feb 28, 2021 (excludes Master, Navigator and Mariner cabin categories)

Olympic Wilderness and San Juan Islands

Wild coastlines, whales, and wilderness aboard the Safari Quest

Overview

The coastlines of Washington and the San Juan Islands are a charming world apart, filled with fascinating wildlife. Sleepy little towns are perfect stopovers for tasting fresh-caught oysters after exploring the harbors and bays. On this eight-day cruise you’ll sail from Seattle, crossing into Puget Sound, Deception Pass, and the Salish Sea, discovering islands, mossy beaches, and dripping rainforests. Climb to the top of Mount Constitution for incredible views of the San Juan archipelago, kayak alongside rocky cliffs, and watch for whales and eagles from the deck of the Safari Quest which carries just 22 guests into the tiniest nooks of this unique wilderness region.

Note: This cruise is not exclusive to, nor operated by, Wilderness Travel, who acts solely as agent in booking your reservation with the ship operator. The itinerary, lecturers, and all other arrangements are subject to change at the discretion of the cruise line.

Itinerary

Day 1
Embarkation, Seattle, Washington

Seattle was founded along the shores of Elliott Bay. Today, set sail via either the historic Hiram M. Chittenden Locks or picturesque Shilshole Bay and cruise along the city's shoreline before dropping anchor in a tucked away cove.

Day 2
Salish Sea / Deception Pass

Wake up surrounded by the wilderness of the Salish Sea. Today, there are many opportunities to investigate this sea-salty playground of islands. A guided kayak reveals local inhabitants—sea stars, anemones, jelly fish, perhaps even inquisitive harbor seals. Walk along a curiosity-rich intertidal zone or stretch your legs on a mossy hike. And tides and current permitting, sail through swirling waters of Deception Pass. Cap off your first day of adventure with a front-row view of the sunset from the bow.

Day 3
Lopez Island / San Juan Island

You’ve landed in one of the most scenic areas of the Salish Sea. The rocky outcroppings of Lopez Island play host to harbor seals—and it’s also orca territory. When kayaking, keep your eyes peeled above and below the surface. Join your expedition team on deck searching for whales, seals, and sea lions as you cruise through the myriad San Juans—no two islands are the same. Drop anchor near San Juan Island—the second largest landmass in the archipelago—to explore tide pools and skiff or kayak into hidden coves, as conditions permit.

Day 4
Orcas Island

Your Captain navigates through the islands to your basecamp at Orcas Island—for a day of play where the options are unending. A local favorite, hike Mt. Constitution—it’s the highest peak in the San Juan Islands (2,409 feet high) and has a mind-blowing view of the archipelago. If you’re interested in skiff exploration or more paddling, the kayaks and paddle boards are up for grabs. You might also visit the charming community of Eastsound—it’s nestled above Fishing Bay and been around since the late-1880s.

Day 5
Sucia Island

The treats keep coming! With no paved roads or even ferry access, enjoy your day on picturesque Sucia Island—total year-round population of four—a Washington State Marine Park filled with hidden coves and bays. You feel a million miles away from it all, exploring the intertidal zone with your guides, hiking across the island, and kayaking in a protected bay. Weather permitting; there’s even a barbeque ashore.

Day 6
Captain's Choice

Make it an ideal morn by kicking it off with an early soak in the on-deck hot tub, a paddle along the shores of the Olympic Peninsula, or both! Your Captain sets the course today for explorations in the rain shadow of the Salish Sea. You may find yourself hiking deep into the mossy, towering old growth of the Olympic Peninsula or beachcombing for anemone and hermit crabs along the shores of Puget Sound. Or perhaps, a chance to kayak and paddle board, investigate bird rookeries, or search for whales in the Sea’s rich emerald waters.

Day 7
Olympic National Park

Hike (or snowshoe if the snow is still there!) in Olympic National Park—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—surrounded by rainforest, old growth forest, and top of the world 360 degree views. Your trek at Hurricane Ridge takes you across fields of sub-alpine flowers in warmer weather and snow-covered hills in the colder months. On a clear day, you can see Canada across to the Straits of Juan de Fuca. This evening, wrap it up with a Farewell Dinner and slide show highlighting your week’s adventures.

Day 8
Seattle / Disembark

This morning, cruise into Seattle either via the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks or at Shilshole Bay. After breakfast, the Captain and crew bid you a fond farewell.

Olympic Wilderness and San Juan Islands route-map

Olympic Wilderness and San Juan Islands

Olympic Wilderness and San Juan Islands route-map

Highlights

Highlights

Transit the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks or cruise the Seattle waterfront
Kayak, paddle board, and skiff in island channels formed by glaciers
Explore Olympic National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with its rainforests and 360 degree views
Hike in old growth forests, state parks, and to the top of Mt. Constitiution
Watch for whales, orcas, seals, sea lions, eagles and sea birds

Details

Length: 8 days
Cost From: $4395  
Full pricing
Arrive: Seattle, Washington
Depart: Seattle, Washington
Lodging: 7 nights aboard a 22-passenger expedtion vessel
View Lodging
Meals: All meals aboard ship included
Activity: Sea Kayaking, Walking, Wildlife & Natural History, Hiking / Trekking, Whale Watching, Small Ship Cruising
Trip Level:

8-day cruise, wildlerness and coastal explorations
What the Trip is Like

Trip Levels

With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.

Easiest

Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Examples:
  • Royal Rajasthan
  • Indochine
  • Small ship cruises

Easy to Moderate

Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Examples:
  • New Zealand: South Island Adventure
  • Our African safaris
  • Costa Rica Wildlife

Moderate

Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
Examples:
  • Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
  • Great Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
  • Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
  • Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.

Moderate to Strenuous

Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Examples:
  • In Patagonia
  • Hiking the Spanish Pyrenees

Strenuous

Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Examples:
  • Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
  • Everest Lodge to Lodge

Very Strenuous

Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.
Examples:
  • Everest Base Camp
  • Climb Kilimanjaro!
Cruise collection 2021 brochure

Download Brochure

We’ve searched the world to find the finest small ships with the most intriguing cruising itineraries, from the High Arctic to Patagonia to the great rivers of Europe.

View our online digital brochure on your computer or mobile device, or download as a PDF! Or request a printed copy to be sent by mail, or by calling 800-368-2794.

Trip Cost

Sep-Nov 2021
Per person, double occupancy
CategoriesPrice
Mariner (C1-4,C6) $4895
Commander (B2) $6095
Single (B1) $6095
Captain (A1-A4) $6795
Port taxes/fees: $200

Departures

2021
Apr 9-16, 2021
Apr 16-23, 2021
Apr 23-30, 2021
Apr 30-May 7, 2021
May 7-14, 2021
Sep 10-17, 2021
Sep 17-24, 2021
Sep 24-Oct 1, 2021
Oct 1-8, 2021
Oct 8-15, 2021
Oct 15-22, 2021
Oct 22-29, 2021
Oct 29-Nov 5, 2021
Nov 5-12, 2021

Deck Plan

Safari quest deckplan

Trip Cost Includes

  • Shipboard Accommodation
  • All meals on board
  • Premium spirits, wine, beer
  • Non-alcoholic beverages
  • Transfers and baggage handling between airport/vessel on embark/disembark day
  • Entry fees to national parks/preserves
  • All from –the-vessel activities and equipment

Trip Cost Does Not Include

Air travel from you home city/Seattle, Washington and Seattle, Washington/home city; excess baggage charges; port charges, taxes or other fees; gratuities; optional travel insurance; personal expenses including laundry, wi-fi, telephone charges, extra hotels nights pre/post cruise, etc.

Trip Payment Schedule*

At time of reservation: $750
90 days prior to departure: Balance

*Please note that this differs from our standard policy.

Cancellation and Transfer Fee Schedule*

Minimum fee: 50% of deposit
61-90 days prior to departure: 100% of deposit
46-60 days prior to departure: 50% of trip cost
31-45 days prior to departure: 75% of trip cost
30 days or less: 100% of trip cost

*Please note that this differs from our standard policy.

Arrival & Departure Information

You are responsible for your own transportation arriving to Seattle, Washington, and departing from Seattle, Washington. If you have any questions, please call our office at 1-800-368-2794.

Please do not purchase your tickets until you are confirmed on the trip. Once your tickets have been purchased, please send us a copy of your airline schedule.

Sep-Nov 2021
Meeting Place:
Seattle, Washington
Date: Day 1
Suggested arrival time: No later than 2:00 pm

Suggested Airport for Arrival:

Seattle, Washington (SEA)
Departure:
Seattle, Washington
Date: Day 8
Disembarkation: After breakfast
Suggested departure time: 12:00 pm

Suggested Airport for Departure:
Seattle, Washington (SEA)

Safari Quest

With just 11 cabins and 10 crew members, the 22-passenger Safari Quest can make her way into the nooks and crannies of pristine wilderness areas in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest that the big cruise ships never see. She features a full-beam swim step for easy access into the water, an underwater bow-mounted camera, kayaks, paddle boards, inflatable skiffs, hiking poles, and fitness equipment. Each cabin has a TV/DVD player, heated tile floors in the bathrooms, bathrobes, binoculars, and reusable water bottles. After a full day of exploration and a hearty meal in the dining room, travelers can soak in the on-deck hot tub or relax in the lounge with a book or DVD from the ship’s library.

Our Trips using this Lodging

  • Olympic Wilderness and San Juan Islands
Safari quest 01
Safari quest 02
Safari quest 03
Safari quest 04
Safari quest 05
Safari quest 06
Safari quest 07
Safari quest 08

Trip Level

The trip is rated Level 1, Easiest, and is appropriate for anyone in good health who is physically active.

Explain Trip Level

Trip Levels

With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.

Easiest

Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Examples:
  • Royal Rajasthan
  • Indochine
  • Small ship cruises

Easy to Moderate

Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Examples:
  • New Zealand: South Island Adventure
  • Our African safaris
  • Costa Rica Wildlife

Moderate

Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
Examples:
  • Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
  • Great Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
  • Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
  • Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.

Moderate to Strenuous

Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Examples:
  • In Patagonia
  • Hiking the Spanish Pyrenees

Strenuous

Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Examples:
  • Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
  • Everest Lodge to Lodge

Very Strenuous

Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.
Examples:
  • Everest Base Camp
  • Climb Kilimanjaro!

Choosing the Right Trip

We work hard to help you choose the right trip for you, paying attention to your individual interests, abilities, and needs. If you have questions about the level of comfort or any of the activities described in this itinerary, please contact us.

Email Area Manager

References

We are proud to have an exceptionally high rate of repeat travelers. For more information, we would be happy to put you in touch with a client who has traveled with us.

Email Area Manager

Resources

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Wilderness Travel Awards
1102 Ninth Street, Berkeley, CA 94710
California Seller of Travel Registration No.: 1007696-40
Wilderness Travel Awards
1102 Ninth Street, Berkeley, CA 94710
California Seller of Travel Registration No.: 1007696-40
Discover
  • Our Trips
  • Where Can I Travel Now
  • New Cruises for 2021
  • Top Ten Places in 2021
  • New Trips
  • Special Offers
  • Wish List
  • Photo Blog
Keep in Touch
  • Contact Us
  • Catalog Request
  • Digital Catalog
  • Enews Sign-up
  •  
  •  
  •  
About WT
  • Welcome
  • How We Travel
  • Our Leaders
  • Making a Difference
  • Awards
  • WT in the News
  • Careers
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
Resources
  • Reserving a Trip
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Toucan Club
  • Referrals
  • Post-trip Survey
  • Client Forms & Helpful Links
  • Travel Insurance
  • Travel Agents
  • Gear Store
  • Gift Certificates
  • Site Map