Sea Wolf Adventures - Grizzly Bear Viewing
Sea Wolf Adventures - Grizzly Bear Viewing

Grizzly Bears of the Wild

A First Nations Wildlife Journey into the Great Bear Rainforest

Please note that the information below is for our Day Tour only. For information on our All-Inclusive Wilderness Lodge Packages, click here.

Discover the awe-inspiring wilderness of British Columbia while immersing yourself in First Nations culture, ecological stewardship, and Indigenous Protected Areas (IPCAs).
This transformative experience combines meaningful wildlife viewing, rich Indigenous history, and the opportunity to contribute directly to the preservation of vital ecosystems and cultural heritage.

Departing from Port McNeill or with an optional roundtrip shuttle from Port Hardy, this full-day adventure takes you through breathtaking coastal landscapes frequented by orcas, humpback whales, and other marine life. Venture into the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest, where pristine waterways and ancient forests provide a stunning backdrop for grizzly bear viewing.

Tour Highlights

  • Grizzly Bear Viewing: Visit renowned bear-viewing locations like Knight Inlet, Bond Sound, or Thompson Sound, each offering unparalleled opportunities to observe grizzlies in their natural habitat. Learn about the cultural and ecological importance of grizzly bears from our knowledgeable Indigenous guides, who will ensure a safe and respectful distance for observation.
  • Whale Watching and Marine Life: Traverse the rich waters of Blackfish Sound and the Broughton Archipelago, home to humpback whales, Pacific white-sided dolphins, bald eagles, and more.
  • Indigenous Protected Areas (IPCAs): Gain insight into the Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas established by First Nations to safeguard biodiversity, restore ecosystems, and uphold cultural practices tied to the land. Learn how these areas represent a collaborative approach to conservation, rooted in Indigenous knowledge and leadership.
  • Indigenous Cultural Insights: Learn about the Kwakwaka’wakw peoples’ deep connection to the land, as guides weave cultural teachings throughout the journey.
  • Salmon Restoration Projects: Discover the essential role of salmon in maintaining the ecosystem and hear about Sea Wolf Adventures’ salmon stewardship initiatives, which help restore wild salmon stocks vital to grizzlies, marine life, and Indigenous traditions.
  • Support Sustainability and Culture: By participating in this tour, your contributions to cultural and salmon stewardship fees directly support ongoing conservation and community programs, including the protection of IPCAs

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 histories 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.

Embark on an extraordinary journey into the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest, guided by our Indigenous Knowledge Keepers. Each day and season offers something new, and our route adapts to ensure you experience the best possible grizzly bear viewing. Travel in comfort through breathtaking landscapes and areas of cultural significance, such as Knight Inlet, Bond Sound, and Thompson Sound.

Your adventure begins with a two-hour boat journey from Port McNeill or the First Nations village of Alert Bay into the stunning territory of the Kwakwaka‘wakw peoples.

As you explore, listen to your guide’s Indigenous insights about the surrounding landscapes and learn about the rich history of the Kwakwaka‘wakw people, from ancient traditions to modern-day life.

Enjoy a locally sourced lunch before we journey back through the Broughton Archipelago and Blackfish Sound, where sightings of Pacific wildlife, including migrating humpback whales, often add a magical ending to the day.

Grizzly Bear Viewing

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
  • Bear viewing locations may change, without notice, to provide you the best opportunity to see grizzlies. 

Searching Availability...

Tour Length: 8 to 9 hours
Group size: Three people minimum. Twelve people maximum
Minimum age: 10 years old.
Departs: Meet at our office 30 minutes before your tour’s departure time, 1514 Broughton Blvd, Port McNeill. Click here for directions.
May 17 through Sepember 24 – daily departures at 7:00 am
September 25 to October 13 – daily departeres at 7:30 am

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
Gilakas’la to @jfitzhirschbold  for the nice photos. This day was amazing to see the little grizzlies thrive in their environment. Learning from momma bear!! #seawolfadventures #traveltruthbeauty #gonorthisland #wildlife #grizzlybear

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If cuteness was cuteness… then what is cuteness?
Grizzly bear cubs on a Sea Wolf Adventure,
tumbling like fuzzy little chaos balls,
stealing the spotlight and your soul. #seawolfadventures #traveltruthbeauty #cubs #mommabear #grizzlybears

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Today we had such a great trip with a boat full of @doetsreizen guests from the Netherlands! Hi @elskedoets😊

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After a days work filming in the Great Bear Rainforest with @hawkanamorphic lenses!

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Cinematic Tools in Wild Places

We recently had the privilege of hosting a group of filmmakers on board for a truly special project. What made it even more remarkable was seeing them bring Hawk Anamorphic lenses — some of the most coveted lenses in the film industry — onto our vessel.

These lenses are handcrafted by Vantage in Germany and are known for their iconic cinematic look: wide, immersive frames, beautiful lens flares, and a dreamy depth of field. They’ve been used on major motion pictures around the world, and it was incredible to see them at work here, in the heart of our coastal territory.

It’s not every day you see gear like this out on the ocean. We were proud to provide a platform for such a high-level production and can’t wait to see what they captured. @hawkanamorphic

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Out here, we wait in silence.
The forest breathes, the river flows, and the salmon return.
With them come our relatives, the grizzlies.
Watching them step into the river to feed is where seeing and feeling intersect.
It’s not just wildlife viewing, it’s witnessing something sacred.
A moment of deep connection in a place that has sustained our people for generations.

Join us on the water and in the wild.
Experience the spirit of the Great Bear Rainforest with Sea Wolf Adventures. 📸 @westcoastlife 

#SeaWolfAdventures #GreatBearRainforest #IndigenousTourism #GrizzlyBears #SalmonRun #CulturalEcotourism #BearViewing #kwikwasutinuxwterritory #WildlifeConnection

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Mama grizzlies are the matriarchs of the wild: gentle, fierce, fearless when needed, and devoted. With cubs at their side,they teach strength, survival, and the power of love. #seawolfadventures #swa #traveltruthbeauty #grizzlies #cubs #wildlifeplanet #gonorth

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Grizzly bears feasting on salmon is a crucial cycle that sustains entire ecosystems. As bears catch and consume salmon, they transport nutrients from the rivers to the forests, enriching the soil and supporting plant and animal life. This ancient relationship not only ensures the survival of both species but also strengthens the delicate balance of the coastal rainforest. #seawolfadventures #swa #traveltruthbeauty #grizzlybear #gonorthisland #indigenousbc

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Searching for the majestic scenery and gentle giants. As we move into the new year we get excited to get back out on the water in our territory! #seawolfadventures #swa #traveltruthbeauty #goindigenous #whalewatching #mayumi2.0 📸 - @dolfvermeulencreative

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Salmon is life! Continuing to build the wild stocks is Paramount for our people and environment. Salmon restoration is what we do behind the scenes. We will continue to do this great work in the name of our ancestors. #seawolfadventures #swa #truthandbeauty #salmon #wildsalmon #protection #rebuilding

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