Grizzly Bears of the Wild
Journey into the Great Bear Rainforest to meet its iconic grizzly inhabitants
Experience an up-close interaction with the grizzly bears of British Columbia when you spend the full day with us in the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest on a truly immersive wildlife-watching journey. Venturing into our traditional territories inMusgamakw Dzawada’enuxw Territory (Northern Vancouver Island), our Indigenous-run adventures offer unrivalled opportunities to see grizzly bears in their natural habitat, while supporting our communities and learning more about our history and culture.
What will we see?
Travelling to our bear viewing areas is an important part of the day’s adventure, as we enjoy unparalleled access to our traditional territories and the communities where our owners and guides are honoured members. Pacific white-sided dolphins often dance alongside the bow of our boat, eagles soar overhead, and animals roam the shell-strewn beaches where ancient villages were once occupied by our people.
Sharing the cultural significance and stories behind the scenery, we make our way through waters favoured by migrating orcas and other awe-inspiring wildlife. Staying a safe and respectful distance from these majestic creatures, we’ll then visit grizzly bears in their home, where we also give the bears space to roam as nature intended.
Where do we go?
Join us on a unique journey into the Great Bear Rainforest, guided by our team of Indigenous Knowledge Keepers. Every season and each day is different, so our route will change based on giving you the very best grizzly bear viewing experience. We’ll be travelling in comfort through places of extreme natural beauty and cultural significance, such as Knight Inlet, Bond Sound, Thompson Sound.
Start your adventure with a two-hour boat journey from Port McNeill, or the First Nations’ village of Alert Bay, into the beautiful territory of the Kwakwaka‘wakw peoples. If time permits and guests are keen, we may visit the fascinating U’Mista Museum in Alert Bay, which is home to recovered artifacts and cultural history.
Listen to your guide’s Indigenous interpretation of local landscapes, and learn more about the birthplace of our ancestors and the history of our people, from ancient traditions to contemporary culture.
Refuel with a locally made lunch before we make our way back through the Broughton Archipelago and Blackfish Sound, where we often encounter the gentle giants of the Pacific: migrating humpback whales.
Tour Info
- Grizzly Bears of the Wild tours last eight to nine hours and depart from our office at 1514 Broughton Blvd., Port McNeill on Northern Vancouver Island
- Breakfast, lunch, snacks, and drinks are provided
- Tours have a minimum age of 10 years old. All passengers aged 18 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
- Please arrive 30 minutes before the tour’s 7:00 am departure time to sign a waiver. At the office, your guide will provide a safety briefing and an overview of the tour and area we will be exploring. The boat is docked a short (one-minute) walk from our office.
- Please dress warmly and wear sturdy footwear
- Plenty of wildlife photography opportunities are available but please do not bring tripods on board
Searching Availability...
Tour Length: 8 to 9 hours
Group size: Three people minimum. Twelve people maximum
Minimum age: 10 years old.
Departs: Port McNeill daily at 7:00 am (May31 through October) from North Island Marina. Meet at our office at 6:30 am, 1514 Broughton Blvd. Click here for directions.
What’s included:
- Boat transportation
- Naturalist Aboriginal guides
- Breakfast, lunch, snacks, and drinks
- Binoculars
- Rain ponchos
What should you bring?
Guests joining our grizzly tours must come prepared with proper footwear and clothing (darker clothing preferred).
We provide everything you need to enjoy the day, but here are some extras you may want to consider bringing:
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellant
- Medication (if needed)
- Hats (toques or beanies) and sun hats
- Sunglasses
- Camera
- Breathable, non-cotton clothing is recommended, but not essential
- Good, sturdy footwear