Discover Cortes: Adventures in Nature (June)

With Bill Ophoff

June 8 - 13, 2025

Book now and get 10% off accommodation prices. Offer valid until Mar 9, 2025.

Date and Time Details:
Program begins: June 8, 2025
Program ends: June 13, 2025
Click here to view a sample program schedule.

Location: Hollyhock Cortes Island

Address: Cortes Island, Strathcona, BC, Canada

Package Pricing: Click Register Now to view availability of accommodations and all-inclusive pricing. For more information on accommodation types, click here.

Scholarships : Hollyhock programs are enriched by welcoming a multitude of voices and experiences that reflect global plurality. The Hollyhock scholarship program is one of the key strategies we employ to expand program access to underrepresented and marginalized communities. Click here to learn more and apply.

Terms & Conditions: For information on cancellation policies, health and safety, and to read Hollyhock’s Community Policy on Respectful Conduct, click here.

  • Private Cabin Oceanfront – CAD $4,355.00
  • Single w/ensuite Oceanfront – CAD $3,355.00
  • Single w/ensuite – CAD $3,155.00
  • Single w/shared bathroom – CAD $2,730.00
  • Couple w/ensuite Oceanfront – CAD $5,295.00
  • Couple w/ensuite – CAD $4,900.00
  • Couple w/shared bathroom – CAD $4,505.00
  • Twin w/ensuite oceanfront – CAD $2,650.00
  • Twin w/ensuite – CAD $2,450.00
  • Twin w/shared bathroom – CAD $2,250.00
  • Three-share w/shared bathroom – CAD $2,045.00
  • Women Dorm – CAD $1,800.00
  • Men's Dorm – CAD $1,800.00
  • Mixed Dorm – CAD $1,800.00
  • Tent Site Single – CAD $1,775.00
  • Tent Site Couple – CAD $3,300.00
  • Commuter – CAD $1,600.00
    • All Packages Include CAD $1,475.00 Tuition and meals
Register now
Register now

The natural world is your classroom as you hike, kayak, and voyage amid the wild beauty of Cortes Island.

Discover the flora and fauna of both land and sea along with local history and geological phenomena as you adventure forth with Hollyhock’s knowledgeable, fun-loving naturalist. Explore ancient forests, sandy beaches, colourful tide pools, windswept bluffs, and a mysterious bog. Our lush temperate rain forest is home to a variety of wildlife including deer, raven, and eagles.

Program Highlights

  • Board a zodiac for a Wildlife Viewing Adventure! Travel within the Discovery Islands, Tidal Rapids and Coast Mountain fjords looking for any number of Humpback Whales, Orca Whales, Black Bears, Grizzly Bears, Pacific white-sided dolphins, Dall’s Porpoise, Stellar Sea Lions, Harbour Seals, Marine Birds, and Bald Eagles. Every tour is different and what wildlife we see on tours varies depending on the seasonal migrations of marine and terrestrial mammals.
  • Kayak into the sunset with bald eagles and seals or paddle under the stars amidst the ‘fairydust’ of bioluminescence
  • Join in Hollyhock’s famous oyster barbecue on the beach.

What to Expect

  • This program is designed for a variety of fitness levels and experience
  • Must be able to handle half-day group excursions
  • Easy to moderate hiking terrain
  • Walking on uneven, rocky shorelines
  • Ocean kayaking

Only 12 spots available in this program. Book now to secure your space!

“Bill has exceptional knowledge and I would love to take the class again sometime in the future. He managed to relay the information in a way to help us start looking at the natural world with a more open mind and use our observation skills to take in all the diversity in the forest, on the rocks and in the water” – Past participant

Related Programs

Discover Cortes: Adventures in Nature (July 20-25, 2025)

Daily Schedule

A detailed schedule will be emailed to you about 30 days prior to your program. Click here to view a sample program schedule.

 

About the Presenter

Bill Ophoff

Bill Ophoff has a background in geography and biology, is a naturalist world traveler, and has been Hollyhock’s resident naturalist for 25 years. Hollyhock guests often rave about our naturalist excursions, and more often than not, they are talking about Bill and his quirky sense of humour. Bill landed on Cortes Island on “May 3, 1993 […]

Learn more about Bill Ophoff

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