Bear Viewing on the Southern Edge of the Great Bear Rainforest
Discover world-class bear viewing on British Columbia’s wild coast. Just a short trip from Campbell River, you’ll find yourself surrounded by rugged mountains, ancient rainforest, and remote fjords where bears thrive. With all the comforts of Campbell River nearby - air access, cozy hotels, local shops, and vibrant coastal charm - you’re perfectly positioned at the gateway to untamed wilderness.
Fall Grizzly Bear Viewing
From late August to mid-October, Campbell River is your gateway to grizzly bear viewing on the southern edge of the Great Bear Rainforest.
Your journey begins with a scenic boat ride through the Discovery Islands and into the remote fjords of Bute or Toba Inlet. There’s plenty of time to spot humpbacks, orcas, sea lions, and eagles along the way. Once ashore, Indigenous guides from the Homalco First Nation in Bute Inlet or the Klahoose First Nation in Toba Inlet lead you along salmon-filled rivers for land-based viewing, where grizzlies gather to feed. These tours blend unforgettable wildlife viewing with cultural storytelling and a deep connection to one of British Columbia’s most spectacular wild places.
All of our grizzly bear tours travel by covered boat, with van transport provided for the land-based portion. Walking is minimal, making the experience accessible and comfortable. Please note: the minimum age for these tours is 10 years old.
Full Day Bute Inlet Grizzly Bear Tour
Starting from $520* CAD/Adult | 9 hours
Experience grizzly bears along the Orford River with Homalco First Nation guides, and take in the remote turquoise waters and tidal rapids of Bute Inlet.
*Base price is subject to additional fees: 12% fuel surcharge, $25 conservation fee, $15 Commercial Bear Viewing Association fee, and 5% GST.
Full Day Toba Inlet Grizzly Bear Tour
Starting from $520* CAD/Adult | 9 hours
Observe grizzly bears along the Klite River with Klahoose First Nation guides, amid glacier-carved fjords, waterfalls, and rugged rainforest.
*Base price is subject to additional fees: 12% fuel surcharge, $5 conservation fee, $15 Commercial Bear Viewing Association fee, and 5% GST.
Should I choose Bute or Toba Inlet?
Both Bute and Toba Inlets follow a similar structure: a scenic three-hour boat ride each way through the Discovery Islands, paired with three hours of land-based bear viewing along salmon rivers with Indigenous guides. The difference lies in place and perspective.
Bute Inlet, home to the Homalco First Nation, features turquoise waters, tidal rapids, and is often known for sightings of mothers with cubs along the Orford River.
Toba Inlet, within Klahoose First Nation territory, is defined by glacier-carved fjords, rushing waterfalls, and lush rainforest along the Klite River, where larger males are frequently observed.
If time and budget allow, visiting both inlets offers the most complete experience of the grizzlies and cultures that define this remarkable region.
Special Grizzly Bear Experiences
Discover unique ways to experience grizzly country with our special tours and packages, designed for anyone seeking a deeper connection with the wild.
Grizzly Bear Photography Workshop
Contact us for 2026 pricing
Take your photography to the next level with professional adventure photographers Pete O’Hara and Jenna Dixon. This 4-night, 5-day workshop during the salmon run immerses you in the wild beauty of Bute and Toba Inlets - perfect for capturing iconic shots of grizzlies in their natural habitat.
*Base price based on double occupancy and is subject to an additional $125 conservation fee and 5% GST.
October Grizzly Getaway
Check back for 2026 pricing
This fall, escape into the wilderness of British Columbia with our October Grizzly Getaway. The package includes a 2- or 3-night stay at the luxurious Naturally Pacific Resort in Campbell River, paired with one or two unforgettable grizzly bear tours in either Bute and/or Toba Inlet.
*Base price is subject to an additional $40 conservation fee and 5% GST.
Spring Black Bear Viewing
From mid-April to mid-June, the North Pacific coast awakens. Our covered boat-based spring bear tours venture into Toba Inlet, where jade-green waters and rushing waterfalls from the snowmelt create a stunning, dynamic landscape. Watch black bears emerge from hibernation to forage along rugged shorelines, flipping rocks for crabs and shellfish. Cruising past the Discovery Islands and into the edges of Desolation Sound, this tour offers a front-row view of the Pacific Northwest’s wild and vibrant spring, with abundant wildlife and dramatic coastal scenery.
Please note: the minimum age for these tours is 4 years old.
Spring Bear and Waterfall Tour
Starting from $290* CAD/Adult | 6 hours
Spot black bears foraging along the shoreline as waterfalls surge from the spring snowmelt, and explore the jade-green waters and rugged rainforest of Toba Inlet.
*Base price is subject to additional fees: 12% fuel surcharge, $5 conservation fee, $15 Commercial Bear Viewing Association fee, and 5% GST.
Responsible Bear Viewing is Our Top Priority
We love seeing bears as much as our guests do! But their safety, comfort, and natural behaviour always come first. Our goal is to provide unforgettable wildlife experiences while minimizing any impact on these incredible animals and their environment.
We are proud members of the Commercial Bear Viewing Association of British Columbia (CBVA), and we follow their Code of Conduct, which goes above and beyond in ensuring safe and respectful bear viewing.
How We Protect Bears and Their Habitat
- Keep a safe distance: Bears have personal space, and we never approach, crowd, or chase them. Guides set boundaries so bears can choose how close they want to come.
- Minimize disturbance: We move quietly, limit noise, and position ourselves so bears can feed, rest, and travel without disruption.
- No human food or garbage: Bears must never have access to human food, and all waste is securely managed.
- Predictable behaviour: Our guides act consistently and safely, helping bears feel comfortable and reducing stress.
- Group safety and etiquette: Guests stay together, follow the guide’s instructions, and respect the bear’s signals.
- Boat and land-based viewing: We maintain respectful distances from shore and water, approach slowly, and coordinate with other viewing groups to avoid crowding.
We carefully observe each bear’s behaviour and will end a viewing session if an animal shows signs of stress or discomfort. Our priority is always the well-being of the bears, even if it means giving up a closer look.
For a full list of guidelines, you can view the CBVA Code of Conduct.
Protecting Old Growth Forest, One Square Meter at a Time
For every guest who joins us on a tour, we protect 1 square meter of old growth forest! Since 2018, we’ve partnered with Wilderness International to conserve rainforest on Canada’s West Coast, ensuring its preservation forever. This vital work helps sequester carbon and protect the last of our planet’s intact habitats through legally secure land purchases.
You'll receive a personalized certificate featuring an aerial photograph and geocoordinates, so you can see exactly which piece of forest you're helping to protect!
Want to do even more? During checkout, you’ll have the option to make an additional donation to Wilderness International, helping protect even more rainforest and expand our conservation efforts.
Support Bear Conservation With Every Tour
When you join us for a bear viewing adventure, you’re not just creating unforgettable memories - you’re helping protect bears and their habitat. $15 from every ticket goes directly to the Commercial Bear Viewing Association’s (CBVA) Small Grant Program for Bear Conservation.
Each year, the Small Grant Program funds initiatives that support the protection of grizzly, black, and spirit bears, while also engaging local communities, First Nations governments, researchers, and conservation organizations.
The program supports projects that:
- Advance bear conservation and habitat protection
- Promote research, education, and community engagement
- Build skills within the bear viewing, research, and conservation network
By joining a bear viewing tour with us, you’re directly contributing to these conservation efforts - helping ensure future generations can experience bears in the wild.
Learn more about the CBVA Small Grant Program for Bear Conservation here.
$5 Of Every Ticket Supports Local Marine Mammal Conservation
As part of every ticket, a $5 conservation fee is donated to local marine conservation initiatives such as the North Island Marine Mammal Stewardship Association (NIMMSA) Conservation Fund and other non-profit conservation projects.
NIMMSA works tirelessly to protect marine mammals, support the local economy, and preserve the marine environment around northern Vancouver Island. From policy development to hands-on conservation efforts, their work is made possible through the support of association members and initiatives like ours.
By joining our tour, you’re not only experiencing the beauty of these waters but also contributing to vital marine conservation activities that help protect the region’s wildlife for years to come.
