World-class Wildlife Viewing - The Bear Experience

Day 1: 

Departing by seaplane from Port Hardy you leave behind the noise of modern life for a pristine wilderness. Journeying to the site is a spectacular adventure in itself, traveling past the breathtaking scenery of the central coast and over the rich waters of Queen Charlotte Strait, the home of orca, gray and humpback whales. Settle into your private room at the lodge. In the afternoon, your grizzly bear experience begins. There are a range of different viewing sites chosen according to where the bears have been most active. The viewing blinds
on the river have been constructed with the photographer in mind. Returning to the lodge that evening, you will be treated to a wilderness-gourmet meal. A biologist will present slides and videos, explaining the interaction of the grizzly bear with this unique ecology.

Day 2:

After breakfast, you will be on the trail of the grizzly bear again. A typical viewing session lasts three hours. After, return to the lodge for lunch. Spend the early afternoon exploring the surrounding area with the guide. A popular activity is the interpretive rainforest walk, examining bear sign and the general ecology of the area. In mid-afternoon you will venture out to see the bears before returning to the lodge for dinner.

Day 3: 

The bears are generally most active in the early morning and late afternoon hours, which is why the focus of viewing sessions is on these times. Over the course of your stay, you will be taken to a variety of sites, depending on the bear activity. For the afternoon recreation today, you may take a guided sea-kayaking tour
of the estuary, or a boat cruise to explore the glacier-carved inlet. The Great Bear Rainforest is home to many animals, including grey wolves, otters, black bears, mink and bald eagles.

Day 4: 

After your parting session with the bears you will enjoy lunch at the lodge. Return to Port Hardy in the afternoon.

 

Spring (May 7 — June 30):
Grizzly bears come down from their mountain dens to graze on protein-rich sedges and grasses. There the guests will observe and photograph the bears from boats, floating quietly in the estuary sloughs. Spring coincides with the breeding season, when large males may be seen interacting with females.

Summer (July 1- August 19)
In the summer season, the grizzlies move between the various habitats as the food resources become more abundant but scattered. They can be found gorging on berry patches, grazing on estuarine grasslands or scouting for the early salmon. Summer can be a great time to see the new life of the Great Bear Rainforest. 

Fall August (20- Oct 21)
The return of tens of thousands of salmon marks the beginning of the fall season in midAugust. The lodge has constructed a series of viewing stands along the river, providing a variety of settings to view and photograph grizzly bears as they gorge on fish in anticipation of their coming hibernation. The salmon run continues through September and October

Additional

- Accommodation in a private room at the Great Bear Lodge - Interpretive discussion and welcome orientation for wildlife viewing - Guided afternoon and morning bear viewing sessions - Wilderness-Gourmet meals including complimentary wine and beer - Transportation to and from the Great Bear Lodge (departing Port Hardy) - Slide shows and video presentations of the local natural history - Guided hiking, boat cruises or seakayaking - Rubber boots and rain wear (if required) - Binoculars - All taxes, including any applicable HST rebates.

For cancellation up to 3 days, a full refund will be given. For cancellation up to 1 days, 50% refund will be given.