Spirit Bear Tours: What to Expect on a Spirit Bear Viewing Trip?

Sitting still and quiet on the edge of a river in the remote heart of the Great Bear Rainforest, as rain falls, the anticipation of the moment the rarest bear in the world shows itself is palpable. Several hours pass with a few black bears coming down to fish at a small waterfall, and everyone is wondering if a spirit bear will show itself. Moments later, the unmistakable white coat of a spirit bear emerges out of the green of the rainforest. The bear slowly walks down the bank and just in front of the group before catching and eating several fish and disappearing into the forest once more. On our spirit bear tours, you are never guaranteed to see a spirit bear, but no matter what the day brings, you will set foot in one of the most remote and beautiful places on the planet where a handful of people have ever set foot.

What Makes Our Spirit Bear Tour Packages Unique?

Our spirit bear tour packages are unique because we take guests to viewing areas exclusively accessible to Spirit Bear Lodge. Our spirit bear tours are done in small groups of 6-10 guests. Getting to the most intact and remote wilderness on the coast of British Columbia is not easy. Our tours include a flight from Vancouver to Bella Bella, a remote village on the central coast, from there our guides take guests by boat 2 hours north to the village of Klemtu. This is the most remote and uninhabited part of the Great Bear Rainforest and the largest intact temperate rainforest on the planet. Massive old growth trees tower over rivers that team with fish, eagles dot the trees, and whales are everywhere. The wildlife viewing in Kitasoo Xai’xais Territory is world class. Wildlife is never a guarantee, especially when searching for one of the planet’s rarest animals. That said, most days are filled with close encounters with bears, spectacular whale watching and unbelievable views. The Kitasoo Xai’xais Nation have been stewards of this land for thousands of years. Spirit Bear Lodge provides meaningful employment opportunities for as many local people as possible, providing a connection to people, place and culture. 

When Is the Best Time to See a Spirit Bear?

Many people ask when the best time to see a spirit bear is. Our entire season from August 7th to October 16th offers equal opportunities to see the world’s most elusive bear. Different salmon species run at different times, early sockeye runs provide excellent viewing, while chum and pink runs provide great viewing opportunities to the end of our season.  

In August sockeye and chum have entered the rivers and draw hungry bears down to the rivers and creeks to feed. The weather is better than later in the fall, and berry bushes fill the understory. September brings the fall rains, and more salmon push up the rivers. Pink and coho salmon arrive, and chum are in full spawning mode. Days are often overcast and can be quite wet. We finish our season in mid-October as fall storms, cooler temperatures and short days send us the signal to move towards hibernation.

What Happens on a Typical Tour Day?

Guests will start their adventure with us by boarding a flight with Pacific Coastal Airline at the Vancouver International Airport’s South Terminal for a 1-hour 30–minute 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.

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.

Bear and wildlife 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 viewings 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.

What to Bring

We provide everything guests need, from thick rubber raingear to quality rubber boots, walking sticks, dry bags, backpacks, binoculars and everything else you need to be comfortable. All you need to bring is various layers as the weather can change rapidly. Our guides carry the essentials, bug spray, sunscreen, hand warmers and extra gear.

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)

Other Wildlife You Might See

Spirit bears are often the focus of our tours for many guests but there is so much more to see. We have some of the best grizzly and black bear viewing in the world, an intact ecosystem means wildlife are abundant. Humpbacks are seen on their northern migration nearly every day, while orcas show up to hunt salmon and marine mammals. Hundreds of bald eagles hang in the trees like Christmas ornaments, and hundreds of migratory birds travel the coast. Salmon boil in the rivers bringing life from the ocean inland and providing the world’s largest natural fertilizer. We often spot sea otters, sea lions and occasionally catch a glimpse of a coastal wolf or black-tailed deer.

Responsible Wildlife Viewing — What You Need to Know

At Spirit Bear Lodge, ethical wildlife viewing is a key part of our operations and respecting wildlife is one of our core values. We never pursue wildlife, we do our best to allow the wildlife to come to us. We are sure to turn off the flash and shutter sound on our cameras and keep our voices down while in viewing areas. Our experienced guides lead each tour, managing groups to ensure a safe tour and amazing wildlife viewing. When we venture into the wilderness, we pack out everything we pack in, taking only pictures and leaving only footprints. 

As you step back aboard the boat at the end of the day, it all feels a little surreal; you may not believe what you experienced. You reflect on the moment your eyes connected to a spirit bears and realize you have joined a very small group of people who have been lucky enough to spend time in the presence of the rarest bear in the world. The spirit bear means something different to each person; it may represent true wilderness or a connection to the past or even a reminder to care for our world and protect it for future generations. Interested in joining one of our tours and finding a connection to one of the last truly wild places, browse our tours here.