Bute Inlet Grizzly Bear Tour

"The XWE’MALHKWU, or Homalco, First Nation are known as the people of the fast running waters ... Like other Coastal First Nation peoples, the Homalco thrived on the bounty of the ocean, lived well in the village sites, and had all other necessities for everyday living. Travelling with the seasons for gathering, hunting and fishing, the Homalco people shared in the resources throughout the territory, and above all were taught to respect the ever-so-sacred cedar tree."

-- quoted from the Homalco Wildlife and Cultural Tours website

Journey to the Orford River Valley aboard a comfortable, high-speed covered vessel where you will be taken on to the traditional territory of the Homalco First Nation via bus to a series of viewing platforms.  The Orford River offers some of the best Grizzly Bear viewings on the West Coast and we can guarantee that this tour will be the experience of a lifetime. Join us as we take our time travelling to the Orford, prioritizing time to stop to view whales and wildlife along the way.

We are proud to offer the longest Grizzly Tour into Bute Inlet, at 8-9 hours long, with a focus on marine wildlife viewing, as well as Grizzly Viewing.

We require a minimum age of 10 years old to participate in this tour.

Prices:

Pricing for Grizzly tours is broken down into three seasons, early season, primary season, and late season. In the Early season the salmon run is just starting, and we often see bears more spread out as they feed on shellfish and vegetation awaiting a rainfall to bring in the fish. We offer this period at a discounted rate. We also discount our late season rates as we move to the end of September because we have far less visitors to the area (despite the fact that sightings are still amazing!)

Early Season Rate (August 20 - August 27) $485

Primary Season Rate (August 28 - September 26) $529

Late Season Rate (Sept 27 - October 15) $485

Departs every day at 8:30 am and 10:00 am on Saturdays, Mondays and Tuesdays from August 20 - October 15

On this tour you will enjoy:

  • Extra time allotted on the boat ride to the Orford specifically to view marine wildlife
  • Interpretation by your certified Naturalist and Captain
  • Homalco First Nation Bear Guide while on land
  • 3 hours on land in the beautiful Bute inlet
  • The opportunity to view Grizzly Bears try and catch and feed on spawning salmon from a series of covered, raised platforms
  • Possible viewings from as close as 10 metres
  • Natural beauty where telephoto lenses are commonly used but not necessary to get good pictures
  • A leisurely lunch of fresh made wraps, snacks of homemade baked goods and granola bars, and beverages such as coffee, hot chocolate, tea, and water
  • Onboard Bathrooms

Curious about a first hand account of the tour? Check out this blog post by guest blogger and photographer Kristian Gillies.

GRIZZLY BEAR COMMITMENT

Campbell River Whale Watching and Adventure Tours wants you to see Grizzlies.

If you do not see a Grizzly on your tour with us between September 10th and September 30th, then we will take you out again at no charge, on a stand-by basis, until we do see one.

Commitment available to full fare paying Grizzly Tour clients and is valid for 24 months. Non-transferable.

Booking and Cancellation Policy: 

Full payment is required at the time of booking.  Customers will receive a full refund or credit with 48 hours notice of cancellation up to 4 people (7 day notice required for groups larger than 4 people). Customers will also receive a full refund or credit in case of operator cancellation due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Contact us by phone to cancel or inquire about a cancellation. No-shows will be charged the full price.  All trips are subject to fees and taxes.

Grizzly Bear tours have an additional $20 conservation fee which goes towards the Salmon Enhancement Fund for the Homalco First Nations

Commercial Bear Viewing Association 

We are proud members of the Commercial Bear Viewing Association (CVBA). The CVBA is dedicated to conservation, supporting research, and training. The CVBA has established science backed Best Management Practices, and continues to evolve the industry standard as new research comes out. Our Bear Viewing Guides, along with the onsite First Nation Guides in both Bute and Toba Inlet are Certified Bear Viewing Guides and have gone through a 2 day training course hosted by the CVBA.

Each guest on our tours is issued a “CVBA Bear Viewing License” when they join us on a tour. This $15 license fee goes directly towards conservation efforts by the association.