Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about Spirit Bear Lodge, packages, wildlife viewing and more.
What is the best time to visit for wildlife viewing?
Our entire season has equal opportunities for wildlife sightings, wildlife viewing by nature is unpredictable and varies day to day, week to week and year to year for various complex reasons. The salmon are running for our whole season. Weather is also un predictable but generally we get less sun and more rain as the season progresses.
Though we have a focus on wildlife, it is important for our guests to have realistic expectations of wildlife viewing and understand that wildlife is unpredictable and viewing is often dictated by many factors out of our control. To spend time in such a vast and intact ecosystem is a privilege; however, because the wildlife habitat we spend time in is not being condensed into small pockets by human development or resource extraction animals can be less predictable as they can range over this massive intact ecosystem as it should be.
We also have a separate spring season that is focused on grizzly bears that have recently emerged from their dens and are feeding on sedge and other spring food sources.
Join us and experience spring in the Traditional Territory of the Kitasoo Xai’xais People on the remote central coast of British Columbia. Visit the vast protected areas of The Great Bear Rainforest as bears emerge from their winter dens and go in search of food. The coast comes alive in spring, snow still covers the peaks of the coast range butthe estuaries are full of sedge, wildflowers and bears. Learn about the culture of the Kitasoo Xai’xais Peoples and explore the land they have stewarded for thousands of years.We know spending time in nature has a positive impact on your mental health and wellbeing.Immerse yourself in a vast wilderness on a grand scale, explore the largest intact coastal temperate rainforest on earth and reconnect with nature.
Will I see a Spirit Bear?
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 much more than spotting a spirit bear. We also recommend to come for the 6 night package if you want to maximize opportunities to see a spirit bear.
We strive to offer all of our guests a diversity of wildlife 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.
What is a typical day like?
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 daily excursions take 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. 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. 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 tranquility.
Should I get travel insurance?
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.
What level of mobility is required?
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.
How do gratuities work?
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.
What should I pack?
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.
What other kinds of wildlife might we see?
The wildlife viewing isn’t limited to bears. We see lots of marine life including humpback whales, orcas, seals and sea lions. We see lots of eagles and ravens and some maritime birds as well, and occasionally, 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 covered crew boats. Often we will see Humpback whales and sometimes are lucky to see them bubble net feeding or lunge feeding. If we encounter this, we will definitely stop to witness this.
How many people are in a tour group?
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.
What kind of rain gear should be bring?
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.
Where do we use the bathroom when out in the field?
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.
What is the required hiking like?
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.
Do you offer laundry service?
We have limited facilities for laundry and do not offer laundry services except in emergencies.
I am a photographer, what camera gear should bring?
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)
How much luggage can I bring?
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.
How do I get to the lodge?
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.