Grizzly Bears of the Wild day tour
What it actually looks like
What the children do
A full day boat tour out of Port McNeill into the Great Bear Rainforest, eight to nine hours long, with grizzly bear viewing at river mouths such as Knight Inlet, Bond Sound and Thompson Sound, and whale and marine life watching in Blackfish Sound and the Broughton Archipelago. Guides are Indigenous Knowledge Keepers who talk about Kwakwaka'wakw culture, Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas and salmon stewardship through the day. Boat transportation, guides, breakfast, lunch, snacks and drinks, binoculars and rain ponchos are included. Two ticket types are sold: a non-refundable seat at CA$530 per person, which must be booked online 30 or more days ahead, and a flexible seat at CA$595 per person. Youth aged 10 to 16 receive a 10 percent discount on either.
Ride a boat out of Port McNeill for eight to nine hours, watching for Pacific white sided dolphins, eagles, humpback whales and orcas along the way. At the bear viewing rivers the group watches grizzlies from a safe and respectful distance. Guides share Kwakwaka'wakw teachings and the history of these waters as the day goes on, and breakfast, lunch and snacks are eaten on board.
Good to know
The departure address, season, start times, group size and per person price are all published, and meals, binoculars and rain ponchos are included. Which boat you get, whether it has a washroom, bus parking and what happens in poor weather are not spelled out, so it is worth a call before you book.
Getting there
1514 Broughton Blvd, Port McNeill, BC