We began day fourteen with calm seas and curious company. Sea otters were out in full force, playfully swimming and bobbing along the shoreline as we departed Pruth Bay. Their relaxed antics made for a lighthearted and beautiful start to the day.

As we continued our journey north, we passed by Hemu, a site rich in Indigenous and regional history. Though now uninhabited, Hemu once played a significant role in coastal trade and cultural life, serving as a seasonal village site with deep ancestral ties. The surrounding waters carry stories of generations past, reminding us that this coastline holds far more than just natural beauty.

The marine life show continued with a few humpback whale sightings, their spouts visible in the distance and their flukes lifting gracefully before deep dives. Later, we were fortunate enough to spot orcas once again, adding another breathtaking moment to what’s becoming a remarkable list of wildlife encounters.

Our destination for the day was the enigmatic community of Ocean Falls. Once a bustling industrial town with more than 4,000 residents, Ocean Falls was a hub for the pulp and paper industry on the West Coast. Today, it is home to just 10 year-round residents, or about 40 if you include the nearby settlement of Martin Valley. The stark contrast between past and present is evident in the abandoned buildings, decaying infrastructure, and overgrown streets—but there’s also a strange, quiet beauty in what remains.

Guests had the evening to wander and explore the remnants of Ocean Falls, taking in the layers of history etched into every rusted railing and moss-covered sidewalk. It’s a place that feels frozen in time—one that invites reflection, curiosity, and no shortage of photographs.