Inner Passage - many islands but little wildlife

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The NV Northern Explorer, run by BC ferries from Port Hardy to Prince Rupert is a comfortable way to travel through the Inner Passage on Canada's west coast over 15 hours. The trip is mostly through protected waters, sheltered by dozens of islands. We saw two humpback whales from a distance, and heard Captain alerts for orcas and porpoises but no success in spotting these. The weather was fine and the vistas terrific, but we would have liked more marine life. The ferry was quiet with only 200 or so passengers: about one third full. It was fun to visit the bridge and have a chat with the crew. The vessel is brand new, made in Germany.

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