Grizzly bear viewing
Renowned viewing locations like Knight Inlet, Bond Sound and Thompson Sound, watched from a safe and respectful distance.
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Sea Wolf AdventuresTravel · Truth · Beauty
What would you like to book?
Lodge package›4 days / 3 nights · all-inclusive · 2026 + 2027 seasons4 days / 3 nights · 2026 + 2027
Day tour›Full day · 8 to 9 hours · 2026 + 2027 seasons8 to 9 hours · 2026 + 2027
Photography workshop›With Matt Shannon · September 2027With Matt Shannon · 2027
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Sea Wolf Adventures · Day tour
Grizzly Bears of the Wild
A full day out of Port McNeill into the Great Bear Rainforest — grizzlies at the river mouths, humpbacks in Blackfish Sound, and the history of these waters told by the people who live here.
8 to 9 hoursDeparts Port McNeillMay – October12 guests maximum
The information below is for our day tour. For our all-inclusive Wilderness Lodge Packages, see the lodge page.
Discover the awe-inspiring wilderness of British Columbia while immersing yourself in First Nations culture, ecological stewardship and Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas.
Departing from Port McNeill, this full-day adventure takes you through coastal landscapes frequented by orcas, humpback whales and other marine life. You venture into the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest, where pristine waterways and ancient forests are the backdrop for grizzly bear viewing.
The day combines meaningful wildlife viewing with rich Indigenous history, and the chance to contribute directly to the preservation of vital ecosystems and cultural heritage.
Tour highlights
What the day holds
Eight to nine hours depending on weather, tides and where the bears are.
Whales and marine life
Blackfish Sound and the Broughton Archipelago — humpback whales, Pacific white-sided dolphins, bald eagles and more.
Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas
How IPCAs established by First Nations safeguard biodiversity, restore ecosystems and uphold cultural practices tied to the land.
Kwakwaka’wakw culture
Cultural teachings and the deep connection between these peoples and this coast, shared by your guides through the day.
Wildlife
Bears, whales, dolphins and more!
Bears, whales and an opportunity to hear stories — what more could you want?
Your hosts
Guided by the people who live here
Sea Wolf Adventures is owned and run by Mike Willie, Musgamagw Dzawada'enuxw, who grew up on these waters. Our guides are Indigenous Knowledge Keepers, and each day and season offers something new.
You are not visiting a viewpoint. You are a guest in someone's territory, hearing its history from the family that has travelled it for generations.
Reserve
Book the day tour
Two ticket types, or the whole boat for your group. Every guest signs the activity waiver before boarding.
Quick facts
- Tour length
- 8 to 9 hours
- Group size
- Four guests minimum, twelve maximum. Or charter the whole boat for your group.
- Minimum age
- 10 years old on the day tour; no minimum on the family charter. Guests 18 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
- Departs
- 1514 Broughton Blvd, Port McNeill
- Season
- May 17 to October 7. Charters June to August.
Non-refundable ticket
CA$530
Per person. Full payment at time of booking. No transfers to other dates. Youth aged 10 to 16 receive a 10% discount.
Flexible ticket
CA$595
Per person. Full refund with 14 or more days notice; cancellations by email only. Youth aged 10 to 16 receive a 10% discount.
Family charter · entire vessel
CA$6,500
For the whole boat, plus 5% GST and a $35 per person salmon stewardship fee. June, July and August, by request.
A private day aboard the Eleni Jane with Mike Willie as your guide. No minimum age, so families with younger children can see the grizzlies together — and any group can take a sold-out date on their own boat.
Grizzly Bears of the Wild
Live availability and secure payment are handled by CheckFront. Choose a ticket type — non-refundable, flexible, or the family charter. Tickets must be booked online; no phone bookings.
Don't see your date? Join the waitlist and we will let you know when a seat opens — or take the whole boat for your group with the .
What's included
- Boat transportation
- Naturalist Indigenous guides
- Breakfast, lunch, snacks and drinks
- Binoculars
- Rain ponchos
What's not included
- ✕Applicable government tax (5% GST)
- ✕Salmon stewardship fee, $35 per person, added at booking
- ✕Gratuity for your guides and crew, at your discretion
- ✕Travel to and from Port McNeill, and accommodation before or after the tour
- ✕Travel, trip interruption and cancellation insurance
Good to know
Before you book
What should I bring?+
We provide everything you need to enjoy the day, including binoculars and rain ponchos. Darker clothing is preferred, and warm layers matter more than you would think on the water.
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Medication, if needed
- Hats — toques and sun hats
- Sunglasses
- Camera
- Breathable, non-cotton layers
- Sturdy footwear
What is the weather like, and does the tour run in rain?+
The tour runs rain or shine. This is a coastal temperate rainforest, so expect anything from sun to steady drizzle in a single day, and cool air on the water even in July. Dress warmly in breathable layers and wear sturdy footwear.
Are wildlife sightings guaranteed?+
No. These are wild animals in their own territory, and we will not promise what we cannot control. What we can promise is that our guides know these waters and where the bears and whales tend to be at each point in the season, and that sightings are the norm rather than the exception.
Are the bears guaranteed? Where do we go?+
We work in renowned viewing areas like Knight Inlet, Bond Sound and Thompson Sound, and our guides know where the bears are feeding week to week. Locations may change without notice to give you the best chance of seeing grizzlies. Wildlife is wild, though, and sightings are never guaranteed; refunds are not issued for wildlife or weather conditions.
Can I bring my camera? What about a tripod?+
Yes, and there are plenty of wildlife photography opportunities through the day. Please leave tripods at home, as there is no room for them on board. A monopod is fine.
What is the minimum age?+
Guests must be 10 years old or more on the day tour, and guests 18 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Families with younger children can book the and take the whole boat together.
Bookings and cancellation+
Tickets must be booked online, and every guest signs the activity waiver on arrival. Preview the waiver before booking. When booking, tell us about any health concerns or dietary needs.
- Non-refundable ticket
- Full payment at booking. No refunds, and no transfers to other dates.
- Flexible ticket
- Full refund with 14 or more days notice. Cancellations by email only.
- Weather and wildlife
- No refunds for weather or viewing conditions. If we cancel a departure, you receive a full refund.
Where do we meet?+
- Address
- 1514 Broughton Boulevard, Port McNeill, BC
You will receive an email with the specific details a few days before your tour starts.
How do I get to Port McNeill?+
- By car
- Port McNeill is on Highway 19. Parking is available near the office.
- By air
- Pacific Coastal Airlines to Port Hardy, then a 40 minute drive to Port McNeill.
It is easy to get to Port McNeill from Vancouver or Victoria. See how to get here.
Salmon stewardship fee+
Sea Wolf Adventures plays a role in protection and conservation in our territory, and salmon restoration is one of the efforts we push forward. A $35 per person salmon stewardship fee is added to each booking to keep this work going. Salmon is life.
Twelve guests a day, May to October.
Departures daily from Port McNeill. Book online, or send us a note with your questions — we answer every one ourselves.
Private charter · entire vessel
Family grizzly bear viewing charter
CA$6,500
For the entire vessel, plus 5% GST and a $35 per person salmon stewardship fee.
An exclusive private charter aboard the Eleni Jane, a custom-built 33-foot Titan rigid-hull inflatable boat. Your personal guide is Mike Willie, owner of Sea Wolf Adventures and Indigenous Knowledge Keeper of the Kwakwaka’wakw peoples.
Our regular Grizzly Bears of the Wild tour has a minimum age of 10. The family charter is for families with younger children who want to see the grizzlies together — the whole boat travels at the pace of your youngest adventurers, in a safe, private setting. It suits any group that wants a day to themselves, including on a date where seats are sold out.
What’s included
- ✓Full-day private grizzly bear viewing, 8 to 9 hours
- ✓Mike Willie as your personal guide
- ✓No minimum age — young children welcome
- ✓Breakfast, lunch, snacks and drinks
- ✓All safety equipment and flotation suits
Good to know
- Vessel
- Eleni Jane, 33-foot Titan rigid-hull inflatable
- Season
- June, July and August only
- Booking
- Book online by selecting Family Charter in the booking widget.
- Departure
- 1514 Broughton Blvd, Port McNeill, BC
Waitlist
Tell us the dates you want
Departures fill through the summer. Leave your dates and we will email you the moment a seat opens on a day that works — no deposit, no obligation.