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Grizzly Bear Watching

Bear viewing in the mainland Inlets of British Columbia's mountainous coast, is now being offered as a great addition to your sea kayaking adventure. Both Black Bear and Grizzly Bears can be seen on these trips. Grizzlies can be seen throughout spring and summer feeding on the Sedge Grass and Rice Root in world famous Glendale Cove and throughout the late summer and fall feeding on the abundant salmon that spawn up the Glendale River and the Orford River estuary.

You will get a chance to see Grizzly bears in their natural environment, learn about their habits, and their vital importance to the eco-system of the British Columbia coast.

 

The Tours

 

Click on map to the left to see an enlarged view of the Grizzly Bear viewing areas described below.

 

 

 

Knight Inlet - Boat-Based Grizzly Watching

On our Knight Inlet boat based tour travelers stay aboard the boat, watching the bears who are at or near the mouth of the river, in the sedge grass and on the beach. On some tides we use our flat bottom skiff to get into the shallows.

During the Spring and early summer bears will be looking for a mate and can be seen displaying some unique interactions. Mid July is the season of cubs scrambling along behind their mom as they first explore their new wilderness home. By mid August and into the fall the salmon are running in the river mouth. The bears can be seen chasing the fish around in the low tide pools looking for a salmon feast.

When: May15th - September 18th
Starting point : Telegraph Cove
Meeting time: June & July: 7:00am to 4:00pm
August & September: 7:00am to 4:30pm
Cost: $288 CDN plus 12% tax

Orford River - Platform-Based Grizzly Watching

In late summer and fall, Grizzly Bears come out from their summer of foraging in the forests to take advantage of the thousands of salmon that have returned to spawn in the Orford River. On arrival we will board a small bus to take us to one of the viewing platforms that are strategically placed along the river. Each platform location was chosen to take best advantage of bear viewing along the river. We will be able to watch the bears hunt down, catch and feed on the abundant salmon.

When: Mid August - September
Starting: Campbell River or Quadra Island
Meeting time: TBA
Cost: $329 CDN plus 12% tax

 

The bear facts

• Grizzly bears are the largest land carnivores in the world

• Grizzlies are actually brown bears and their fur becomes grizzled with age.

• Females usually require 50-300 square miles of range, while males require 200-500 square miles. Grizzly bears are not territorial and usually have overlapping ranges with several bears sharing an area.

• They are mostly vegetarian, but still consume up to 90 lbs. of food a day.

• Height: 3- 3 ½ feet at shoulders  Length: 6-7 feet

• Weight: Adult males 300 - 850 lbs; females 200 - 450 lbs

• Top speed: 35 mph  Lifespan: 20 - 25 years

 

 

Getting There

Knight Inlet Tours

These tour begins from Telegraph Cove, a 2.5 hr drive North of Campbell River. You will want to spend the night before in either Telegraph Cove or Port McNeil. (1/2 Hr from Telegraph Cove). If you are staying in Port McNeil and do not have a car you can take a Rainbow Taxi 250-956-8294 (about$35) to Telegraph Cove.

You will meet your guide on the dock at the end of the Telegraph Cove boardwalk at the meeting times shown above.

Orford River tours

These tours begin from either the Discovery Harbour Marina in Campbell River or the government dock in Quathiaski Cove on Quadra Island at 9am. See getting to Quadra Island.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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