The Great Bear Rainforest is home to a significant concentration of coastal grizzly bears. During the late summer and early fall bears are drawn to the many salmon spawning streams feeding into the coastal inlets. While the local bear population reaches its peak in the fall, during the spring and summer numerous bears feed on sedges, succulents and grasses that make up the dense bio-mass of the river estuary. These ongoing sources of high quality food are why coastal grizzlies or brown bears are larger than inland grizzlies.

Our ecotourism lodge is the ideal base for photography and wildlife viewing tours, nestled at the mouth of a pristine salmon river. Wilderness-gourmet meals await you upon your return from the two guided viewing sessions per day. With a maximum of ten guests, you are assured of a personalised wilderness adventure in this very special area.

Grizzly observation in British Columbia's Great Bear Rainforest in Canada

From early May through October, we offer grizzly bear viewing excursions from Port Hardy to a beautiful river valley on the central coast of British Columbia. Known as the Great Bear Rainforest, this area is one of the best places in the world to observe grizzly (brown) bears and many other forms of wildlife including black bears, wolves and bald eagles.

Bear Viewing

Two bear viewing sessions are scheduled each day at the lodge, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. We tailor the sessions to the activities of the bears, observing them when they are most active in their chosen habitats. Viewing blinds have been constructed with photographers in mind. They are comfortable and optimal places to shoot from. When the bears move from the river to the estuary, we view them from a boat.

Each season offers a unique view into the world of grizzly bears in the Great Bear Rainforest. A wonderful time for photography, spring takes us to the estuary to observe the grizzlies as they graze on grasses and sedges and engage in mating behaviour. Birdlife is abundant in spring, and long hours of daylight ensure optimal light for photography. At this time we view the bears from small boats, watching the bears quietly. During the summer season, the grizzlies move between the various habitats to optimize their feeding. We will find them gorging on berry patches, grazing on estuarine grasslands and scouting for the early salmon. The grizzly bears congregate at the river in fall to take advantage of the best food source available on the coast: Pacific salmon. Watch as each individual bear demonstrates its own fishing style, from methodically checking under riverbanks with their paws to charging up the river after salmon.

Guest safety is of utmost importance and our viewing program is organized using the protocols developed at McNeil River State Game Sancturary on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula. This management philosophy is consistent with our goal of safely viewing bears in a natural setting while eliminating or minimizing impact on them.
Along with grizzly bears there is a chance to view other wildlife like wolves, black bears, river otters, pine martens, mink, harbour seals and bald eagles.

Bear viewing areas are reached by a boat or bus ride from the lodge, which are opportunities to spot other wildlife in the area. The bear-viewing program has been developed by Tom Rivest (MSc). As a professional guide and wildlife biologist he is well versed in bear behavior as well as the natural history of this remarkable area.

We recommend a stay of three nights. This is a good amount of time to observe the bears, as well as allowing our guests to settle into the rhythm of the wildlife in the inlet. As with all wildlife viewing, the longer you spend with the animals the greater your chances of getting the perfect photo or witnessing interesting behaviour.

Along with grizzly bears there is a chance to view other wildlife like wolves, black bears, otters, pine martins, mink, and bald eagles. Viewing areas are reached by a short boat/van ride from the lodge.

Important information for guests:

Guests should call us the day before their tour departure to confirm travel arrangements (before 5pm). Guests will be required to sign a waiver release and indemnity form before joining our tour. Due to the limited luggage of our transportation, we ask that guests leave their excess luggage in Port Hardy while they are at the lodge. The luggage capacity for each guest is 30 lbs (14 kgs). We are able to make exceptions for photography equipment. Excess luggage may be stored at their hotel or at our office.

Items to bring:

• Camera and camcorders. Tripods are recommended for wildlife photography. Electricity is available for recharging batteries (but not for hair-dryers!).
• Warm clothing: thermal underwear, multiple layers, including gloves, extra socks and a warm hat. It is important to wear warm clothing even for summer viewing, as we sit still in a shaded location for periods at a time.
• Rain gear and rubber boots, if available. Great Bear Nature Tours will provide these items for guests, if needed, however they may be more comfortable in their own. Waterproof pants are recommended in addition to jackets, especially for spring viewing.
• Insect repellent is sometimes required. Please do not use perfumed toiletries.

Grizzly observation in British Columbia's Great Bear Rainforest in Canada