Grizzly and Black Bear Viewing at Great Bear Lodge
- British Columbia
- Bear Watching in Canada, Wildlife Holidays,
- Varied
Introduction
Great Bear Lodge is located 50 air miles from Port Hardy, British Columbia. The fully self-contained floating lodge is situated at an outstanding wildlife viewing location. This is a place of spectacular beauty where one can still find the silence and solitude of another era. From this location we operate our Grizzly Bear viewing program.
Packages:
The Great Bear Lodge offers the following Grizzly and Black Bear viewing packages: –
04 nights / 5 days
07 nights / 8 days
Combine this Grizzly and Black Bear Viewing at Great Bear Lodge with one of our Western Canada Road Trip itineraries.
Spring (May 7 – Jun 27): Guests will observe and photograph bears from boats. Spring coincides with the breeding season, when large males may be seen interacting with females. The estuary is also bustling with bird life at this time of year.
Summer (Jun 30 – Aug 17): The grizzlies move between various habitats, thus making bear sightings from the boats more sporadic. Bears may be found gorging on berry patches, grazing on estuarine grasslands or scouting for the early salmon. Guests may also spot curious seals and other bird life.
Autumn (Aug 20 – Oct 16): The return of tens of thousands of salmon in late August marks the beginning of the autumn season. 5 viewing stands along the river provide eye-level views of the bears. The bears are gorging on fish in anticipation of their coming hibernation, and this availability of salmon draws the bears to the river in the highest density of the year.
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Gallery
Itinerary
Arrival Day: Port Hardy to Great Bear Lodge
Today you proceed independently to the Port Hardy seaplane base (6420 Hardy Bay Road) where you check in for your transfer to Great Bear Lodge by seaplane (departure at approximately 15:00). Upon your arrival at this spectacular wilderness retreat you will be met by your hosts and shown to your private room. Later you will participate in your first thrilling wildlife viewing session. In the evening enjoy a fresh gourmet meal prepared with the best local produce and seafood available, served with complimentary wine or beer. As well, participate in an informative audio visual presentation on the grizzly and its place in the local ecology. Relax in the lodge’s sitting room, or watch the moon rise over the mountains from its large decks. A perfect way to end the day! Overnight at Great Bear Lodge.
During Your Stay
The Great Bear Lodge is pleased to promote low-impact ecotourism, using wind and solar power and taking special care not to disturb the bears or their environment. Scheduled morning and afternoon bear viewing sessions coincide with times when the bears are the most active. Accompanied by an experienced wildlife biologist you will observe the bears as they roam freely in their natural habitat as you float by boat through nearby estuaries or watch from specially-designed optimal viewing areas. Keep a close eye for other possible wildlife sightings such as wolves, otters, bald eagles, black bears, pine martins and mink. Daily guided activities such as boat tours and a popular interpretative rainforest walk are offered between morning and afternoon viewing excursions, and a delicious lunch awaits you back at the lodge. Guests arriving in fall will also be able to witness the incredible sight of thousands of migrating salmon from a series of enclosed blinds and open viewing stands along the river. Watch as the grizzlies hunt for fish in preparation for their coming hibernation. Overnight at Great Bear Lodge
Departure Day: Great Bear Lodge to Port Hardy
On your day of departure you’ll participate in a final bearwatching session, followed by a farewell lunch and afternoon activity before being transferred back to Port Hardy in the afternoon (between 16:00 and 18:00).