10-12 Hour Wildlife Tour
$460 per person
Now Booking for 2018!
Get up close and personal with Musgamakw Dzawada‘enuxw’s grizzly bears on an immersive and intimate wildlife viewing experience!
- Daily, June 15th to October 10th
- Exclusive and private tours available
Get up close and personal with British Columbia’s grizzly bears on an intimate and immersive wildlife watching experience. Join First Nation guides on a tour through the awe-inspiring waterways of their people’s traditional territories.
Reconnect with nature and learn about First Nations culture in an all-in-one experience that combines respectful wildlife viewing with a sustainable tour through the super natural scenery of northern Vancouver Island and coastal mainland BC.
Low volume tours take a maximum of twelve guests on authentic adventures through the natural habitat of Western Canada’s grizzly bears. Pacific white-sided dolphins dance alongside the bow of our boat, Sea Wolf, as we make the one hour and 45 minute journey from Port McNeill or the First Nations’ village of Alert Bay into the beautiful X̱a̱ḵwika̱n (Thompson Sound) or Hada (Bond Sound). Eagles soar overhead and wolves roam the shell-strewn beaches where ancient villages were once occupied by the Musg̱a̱makw Dzawada̱’enux̱w people. Enjoy a continental breakfast as we navigate waters favoured by migrating orcas, and listen to your guide’s indigenous interpretation of local landscapes.
Our adventure continues along the X̱a̱ḵwika̱n or Hada river to discover the home of the grizzly bears in BC’s backcountry. We respectfully place ourselves at a quiet and safe sitting area and listen to traditional stories as we wait for bears to feast on wild salmon. After witnessing the memorable sight of grizzlies fishing in the river, we’ll find a nice place to sit for lunch.
Back on the boat, our traditionally trained guides chart us past Gwayasda̱ms, the birthplace of our ancestors, on Gilford Island. There we share stories about the historic and cultural significance of the oldest standing Big House in Canada. This truly unforgettable wildlife experience ends in the Broughton Archipelago and Queen Charlotte Strait, where we often encounter the gentle giants of the Pacific: migrating humpback whales. We have two other beautiful places within our territory to view grizzlies, ask us about them!
"World Class Experience"
"Sea Wolf Adventures provided us with a world-class day of wildlife and culture. I’ve had the opportunity to travel to five different continents and this tour was one of the best I have taken. We watched six grizzly bears eat and play for two hours. Although we signed up for the Grizzly Tour, we had the opportunity to also see deer, seals, bald eagles, porpoises and whales.
My son commented that we saw more whales on the bear tour than the day before when we had taken an actual whale watching cruise. Our kids who are 11 and 7 wanted to rate the experience 15 out 5. They were fascinated with the bears but it might have also been all the treats that the crew slipped them. The boat was very easily accessible and comfortable, with lots of binoculars. Our frequent snacks, lunch and coffee were all delicious. The crew was very friendly and knowledgeable. We highly recommend this tour."
Rob M - TripAdvisor
Safety and reliability is high priority for you and your family, click here to learn about our vessels.
2 people minimum. 12 people maximum.
Departing Port McNeill 7am daily (June 15 to October 10th) from North Island Marina. Meet at MacKay Whale Watching at 6:45am, 1514 Broughton Blvd. Click here for directions.
Included in the trip:
- boat transportation
- breakfast, lunch, snacks, and drinks
- binoculars
- cultural sustainability fee
Important message for Grizzly Tour! This is a wilderness trip that requires participants to be able to walk through the forest on uneven ground. Come prepared with proper footwear and clothing for moderate hiking in the forest and on rocky terrain. Bear viewing areas are subject to change without warning due to weather. If you like to adventure off the beaten path then you’ll like this experience!
Click here to view our Booking and Cancellation policies.
Please download your trip details and joining instructions here!
