Frequently Asked Questions

Fall Bear Tours (August-October)

Our fall tours revolve around the return of salmon to the wild rivers of the Central Coast. By the start of August there are millions of fish pushing up the rivers and hungry bears are ready and waiting for them. This is the beginning of the feast that lasts until it is time for bears to settle in for winter hibernation. Some days we visit smaller secret creeks and rivers in search of the mythical spirit bear, while others are spent in the shadow of the snow capped coastal mountain range in larger rivers seeking out grizzly bears. As we travel by boat each day we may spot Humpbacks, Orcas and other marine life, these encounters are experiences you will never forget.

Spring Bear Tours (May-June)

In spring our bear tours are focused on grizzly bears. We visit Fiordland Conservancy where grizzlies have recently emerged from their winter dens and are in search of spring foods like sedge grass and skunk cabbage. Mother bears and their cubs are a highlight of these tours, there isn’t anything more adorable than little bear cubs learning from mum. We may spot wolves, migratory birds, whales, porpoise and other terrestrial and marine wildlife. Each day brings a new experience. Spring is a special time when the Great Bear Rainforest comes alive.

Spring and Fall Coastal Wolf Tours (June-August)

Depending on tides and recent viewing we may use a few different approaches to viewing. Wolves are crepuscular which means they are generally most active at dawn and dusk so expect some very early mornings and possibly some evening viewing opportunities. Spotting wolves can be challenging and viewing may be brief and at a distance. Of course, we will do everything we can to have meaningful encounters, just spending time in places people rarely tread is an experience all on its own. In the fall there may also be opportunities to visit some of our spirit bear viewing areas after a morning at a wolf viewing site. In the spring there will be an opportunity to visit one of our grizzly bear viewing areas in Fiordland Conservancy. As always chances for humpbacks are great and you never know when a pod of orcas could emerge from the fog and make and appearance.

There are estimated to be between 50-150 Spirit Bears in total, making them the rarest bear and one of the rarest animals on the planet. We estimate our guests all have a 50% chance of seeing this amazing animal but as with all wildlife viewing, spotting a spirit bear is partly luck.

We encourage our guests to see their experience as expansive and about so much more than viewing a spirit bear. We also recommend coming for the 6-night summer/fall package if you want to maximize opportunities to see a spirit bear.

We strive to offer all of our guests a diversity of wildlife tours and cultural experiences while at the lodge and to provide an unforgettable experience so that guests leave our trips feeling happy and satisfied with their adventure.

It is important to know that we go out in search of all of the magnificent wildlife of The Great Bear Rainforest not just spirit bears.

Every day at Spirit Bear Lodge offers a new experience. We explore a variety of breathtaking locations in pursuit of the diverse wildlife that call The Great Bear Rainforest home. Our journey takes us on comfortable boats for roughly one and a half hours through the Traditional Territory of the Kitasoo Xai’xais First Nation, reaching different wildlife viewing locations each day. Tours are tailored based on recent wildlife sightings, tides, and weather conditions. Some days may be spent patiently waiting in a river system for wildlife to appear, while others might involve visiting multiple locations, cruising the shoreline, or exploring estuaries by zodiac. Depending on the tour package and season certain days are dedicated to seeking out the elusive spirit bear, while others focus on seeking out grizzly bears, whales and other wildlife. That said, we always remain vigilant for spirit bear sightings and are ready to adjust our plans accordingly. In spring days are focused on grizzly bears or wolves, depending on the tour package.

We spend the entire day travelling throughout the Kitasoo Xai’xais vast Territory in search of wildlife. Once we get home it is time for sharing stories of the day over a delicious dinner.
Each day is enriched by Kitasoo Xai’xais Culture, as we engage with local staff, visit culturally significant sites, and learn about the history of the Kitasoo Xai’xais People. Our staff share their profound knowledge of their Territory and stories that have been passed down through generations. Our aim is to provide a transformative experience through complete immersion in nature and by sharing our deep appreciation for the wilderness of The Great Bear Rainforest.

It’s essential to understand that successful wildlife viewing requires patience. We encourage our guests to slow down and reconnect with nature while waiting for wildlife to appear, allowing the sights, sounds, and scents of this magnificent wilderness to help you relax and find inner tranquillity.

Arrival Day

• Enjoy the Pacific Coastal Airlines scheduled flight from Vancouver to Bella Bella.

• You will be met at the airport and assisted with a van transfer to the Bella Bella docks where our boats await your arrival, this is where your adventure begins!

• Search for wildlife on your way to Spirit Bear Lodge for an afternoon arrival.

• After a warm welcome there is a guest orientation where you learn more about the exciting days ahead.

• Take some time to relax in your ocean view room or explore the village of Klemtu.

• Enjoy a delicious dinner with other guests of the lodge and a relaxing evening overlooking the ocean.

Excursion Days

• In fall and for spring bears we have breakfast at 7am, and depart at 8am for a day of adventure.

• On our wolf tours we may depart as early as 5am to arrive in locations for dawn. Some days we may have evening excursions, or plan around the tide for the best viewing opportunities.

• Tour activities may include: Wildlife viewing, bear viewing, whale watching, wolf viewing and visiting cultural sites.

• We explore lush estuaries, forested rivers, stunning inlets with immense waterfalls and granite cliffs, beaches and rocky shoreline.

• Return to Spirit Bear Lodge in time for dinner at 6:30.

• Each evening may include a film, cultural experience or educational presentation, time to relax overlooking The Great Bear Sea, or the opportunity to explore the village of Klemtu.

Departure Day

• Take in the serenity of Kitasoo Xai’xais Traditional Territory.

• After breakfast, pack up and head to the traditional Big House for a cultural experience and traditional farewell.

• Say your final goodbyes and depart the lodge mid morning to travel by boat back to Bella Bella for your return flight.

• Van transfer from the dock to the Bella Bella airport and board Pacific Coastal Airlines flight back to Vancouver.

• Arrive at Vancouver South Terminal where your tour package comes to an end.

• Breakfast and snacks are included for your travel home.

Absolutely!

Pacific Coastal may delay or cancel flights for various reasons, including weather and mechanical issues. We strongly recommend staying one night in Vancouver on each side of your trip in addition to purchasing travel insurance. We book our guest flights, however Pacific Coastal is a third party provider and Spirit Bear Lodge does not have control over their operations or service. If a flight is canceled Pacific Coastal will rebook on the next available flight or potentially schedule a flight for the following day. If Pacific Coastal cannot rebook for the following day it is potentially possible to charter a float plane at an additional cost (SBL does not cover charter flights). Please understand travel on this remote part of the coast of British Columbia is challenging and just getting to the lodge is part of the adventure.

Please note SBL does not provide any refunds outside of the travel insurance that you purchase. Each Guest is responsible for their own travel insurance which is separate from our tour packages.

Good mobility is essential for travel on the trails we use and for embarking and disembarking our vessels onto rocky shorelines and beaches. Trails can be uneven, steep, muddy or overgrown, and sometimes we even make our own. A high level of fitness is not needed for our tours, but a high level of mobility is required.

Typically we can travel distances of a few hundred meters at each river or estuary but sometimes we go further or we may visit more than one river or estuary in a day.

Since we conduct our wildlife viewing tours from land in remote wilderness, good mobility is a necessity. Unfortunately it is just not possible to make our tours more accessible.

If you have mobility issues please contact us directly for more information and to ensure you can participate fully in our experiences.

We ask that our guests contribute to a tip pool that is shared among staff based on days and hours worked. We recommend $50 per day per person, but ask that you base it on your experience as well. We provide a credit card or cash option for gratuities at the lodge.

We provide quality rain gear, gumboots, and a waterproof backpack to take in the field. That said you are welcome to bring your own gear.

We recommend you bring lots of light quick dry layers such as poly blends or fleece, warm hat (beanie/toque), gloves, sun hat (baseball cap or bucket hat), and comfortable shoes for around the lodge.

It is important to bring some warm weather clothing like gloves and a warm hat because the weather is always changing here in The Great Bear Rainforest, and if you are brave enough to take a dip in the ocean don’t forget a bathing suite.

We provide a water bottle if you need one but we encourage you to bring your own to reduce waste.  We also have the essentials such as sunscreen, bug spray lunch kits, hand warmers, dry bags, walking sticks, and binoculars.

The wildlife viewing isn’t limited to bears. We see lots of marine life, including humpback whales, orcas, porpoise, dolphins, sharks seals and sea lions. We see lots of eagles and ravens and maritime birds, and we see or hear coastal wolves. 

Our viewing areas are typically 90 minutes from the lodge so that provides plenty of time to see vast areas of the Great Bear Rainforest from the vantage of our comfortable crew boats. Often we will see Humpback whales are often lucky enough to see them bubble net feeding or lunge feeding. If we encounter this, we will definitely stop to witness this spectacle.

Group sizes range from 6 to 10 guests per boat and up to a max of 24 at the lodge. Each boat goes to a different location each day.

We provide top quality rain gear (heavy duty pants and jackets by Helly Hansen) rubber boots (Bogs) in all standard sizes. It would be a good idea to bring your own lighter weight rain jacket for traveling and wearing around the lodge when it rains. 

On arrival at the viewing areas, the guides explain to guests how to pee ‘au naturel’ in the forest. Our boats are equipped with small marine toilets as well. 

Some river systems provide easier access than others. Good mobility is essential for travel on the trails and for embarking and disembarking our vessels onto rocky shorelines and beaches. Trails can be overgrown, uneven and sometimes we make our own.  Typically, we can travel distances of anywhere from 200 yards to a mile at each river or estuary we visit and sometimes we visit more than one river or estuary in a day.

Sometimes we are lucky and the bears will spend time in rivers with easy access and sometimes the bears makes us work to find them. Grizzly access tends to be easier as they inhabit bigger estuaries but the ground is still uneven and can be wet and muddy.

We have limited facilities for laundry and do not offer laundry services except in emergencies.

Due to the nature of our tours and the consideration of other guests, we ask that photographers stay clear of bringing larger lenses and tripods into the field. (With the exception of a collapsible monopod). We provide one dry bag per room, but you may want to consider bringing an extra pack for your equipment.

We recommend bringing the following:

• A wildlife based lens such as a 100-400mm or a 200-600mm.
• A landscape based lens such as a 16-35mm or a 24-70mm.
• Spare batteries and SD cards
• A monopod if necessary (although hand held is much more advantageous)

You can bring one checked bag up to 50lbs and one carry on, Pacific Coastal is strict on baggage allowances please be mindful when you are packing.

Guests will start their adventure with us by boarding a flight with Pacific Coastal Airline at Vancouver International Airport’s South Terminal for a 1hr 20min trip over the Coast Range and The Great Bear Rainforest to the remote Bella Bella airstrip. Guests will be met by Spirit Bear Lodge staff and shuttled to the dock where a comfortable lodge boat will be waiting to transport guests two hours north to Klemtu where the lodge is located. Along the way, guests may see their first glimpses of wildlife in The Great Bear Rainforest and stunning vistas of Canada’s rugged West Coast.

IMPORTANT: Pacific Coastal may delay or cancel flights for various reasons, including weather and mechanical issues. We strongly recommend staying one night in Vancouver on each side of your trip in addition to purchasing travel insurance. We book our guest flights, however Pacific Coastal is a third party provider and Spirit Bear Lodge does not have control over their operations or service. If a flight is canceled Pacific Coastal will rebook on the next available flight or potentially schedule a flight for the following day. If Pacific Coastal cannot rebook for the following day it is potentially possible to charter a float plane at an additional cost. Please understand travel on this remote part of the coast of British Columbia is challenging and just getting to the lodge is part of the adventure.