Trout fishing is in season year-round, and different Pacific salmon species run the rivers from April through October. I give consent to Destination BC Corp. Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, National Marine Conservation Area Reserve, and Haida Heritage Site. How to Visit the Great Bear Rainforest in British Columbia | Super Historic Ripple Rock, watch for porpoises. (Steve Woods) Advertisement. Looking down the valley, you can see the point where the boreal forest gives way to the coastal rainforest in the valley below and the ocean stretches out beyond the mountains. Along British Columbia's coast, the Great Bear Rainforest is a lush, isolated beauty. We value your privacy and never share your information, and you may withdraw your consent and unsubscribe at any time. Seymour Narrows, the dividing line between southern and northern climates. You can fly into one of the nearby airports, sail along the coastline, or even drive (though only up to a certain point). For ferry service to these locations outside summer months, see theInside Passage Fall/Winter/Spring schedule. It's world's largest intact temperate rainforest. Alexis Creek: (Tsilhqotin)an indigenous people who live between the Fraser River and the Coast Mountains. Hike a seemingly endless number of rainforest trails, many of which lead to cascading waterfalls, or search for local wildlife. January 24, 2019, Whats so great about theGreat Bear Rainforest? Not recommended for people who arent fit. There is even a sunken boat at the north end of the lake that sports a skeleton and a treasure box. This is the weather cam on West Beach of Calvert Island, provided byHakai.org, that updates every few minutes during daylight hours. Here, the waters teem with whales, dolphins, sea otters, porpoises, sea lions, salmon and other creatures. How do we reverse the trend? Directions: On the left side of the highway between Hat Creek Ranch and Lillooet. Great Bear Rainforest - Province of British Columbia A Quick Guide to the Great Bear Rainforest | Keep Exploring Williams Lake:Williams Lake is the hub city of the Cariboo region. Fly from Vancouver to Bella Bella and travel by boat to Spirit Bear Lodge, in the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest and the ancestral lands of Kitasoo/Xai'xais First Nation. FromPrince Rupert, you can take a float plane or boat trip to the Khutzeymateen Grizzly Sanctuary, home to one of the largest concentrations of grizzly bears in North America. Part 3: Ferries to Bella Coola. Ferry to Vancouver Island and drive north to Port McNeil, where your Indigenous hosts will chart the way through the Traditional Territories of the Kwakwakawakw people. The approach is Ecosystem-Based Management(EBM)and is based in science as well as traditional, local knowledge. Always check trail conditions before you head out, and no matter what outdoor activity you are planning, be prepared. Also, because Williams Lake is in the heart of Cowboy Country, it hosts a famous rodeo, the Williams Lake Stampede, every year in July, drawing rodeo buffs from all over the world. All rights reserved. 2 hours of sleep? Great Bear Rainforest Cruise - Tours of Exploration Directions: On the right side of the highway just outside of Lillooet (1881 Hwy 99 North) Lillooet: Lillooet is considered Mile Zero of the Cariboo leg of the Gold Rush trail and is the beginning of the famed Cariboo Waggon Road. From Prince Rupert, you can head out on the water withPrince Rupert Adventure Toursto theKhutzeymateen, which boasts the largest population of grizzly bears on Earth. What a magical and awe-inspiring adventure! This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Dolly's is a working market, so the restaurant side is simple, compact, and usually packed in summer. While marine wildlife is often seen on bear viewing trips, dedicated whale watching and wildlife tours can be taken from: For more information, visit Indigenous Tourism BC. The views are epic with the Pacific Ocean on the right and the mountains rising up on the left. Not only do local guides serve as welcoming hosts, they offer a wealth of information about this area, the wildlife, the history, and local cultures. 2023 Destination BC Corp. All rights reserved. Call us at 1-800-690-7887 to reserve a spot on this tour. The Great Bear Rainforest is best explored by its waterwayseither by boat or kayak. The drive from Williams Lake along Highway 20 is approximately 6.5 hours (450km/280mi). Possible hot springs visit. For the actual sailing that you book, youll receive a detailed How to Get Here and Boarding Time sheet. But for your purposes now, we have also provided information on how you get to and back from all of our ports. The Great Bear Rainforest, a vast stretch of wilderness on Canada's remote west coast is also one of the most beautiful - and remote places - to visit. Visit in the winter for dramatic storm watching. It is accessible only by boat or plane. Watch for mountain goats above the ocean, and bears in meadows. The Kermode bear, or spirit bear, is found almost exclusively in the Great Bear Rainforest. Spot wildlife from the boat and keep an eye out for remote First Nations villages tucked into multiple bays along the route. Experience the entirety of this special region, by taking the time to get to know its rhythms and intricacies, through cruising by yacht and anchoring in special places each night. Questions about the collection or use of this information can be directed to Chief Financial Officer, 12th Floor, 510 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6C 3A8, Canada. February 1, 2023. Great Bear Rainforest is a pristine and protected environment so please practice responsible tourism by not leaving trash or chemicals in the forest, rivers, or ocean. After breakfast, head on a pre-planned half-day excursion with an experienced . There are departures going in both ways between two and three times a week. The switchbacks and blind corners require caution and care when navigating. This part of the Chilcotin is steeped in the First Nations history of many different peoples, as well as the settler traditions of ranching and guide outfitting. Not to be missed isEast Sooke Regional Park. In February 2016, the Government of B.C., First Nations, environmental groups, and forest industry representatives announced the final decision on how the Great Bear Rainforest would be managed now and into the future. Watch for moose peeking from among the willows and black cottonwood trees. Be sure to stop in and grab a printed guide of all the local birds and wildlife at the 100 Mile House Visitors Centre at 155 Wrangler Way and then head to the Sanctuary, which is next door! Everywhere is evidence of their civilization. Terrace sits near the bottom of the Alaska Panhandle, and is home to the mighty Skeena River, a spot known to host some of the worlds best steelhead fishing. This agreement will conserve 85 per cent of the forest and 70 per cent of old growth over time. More than 70% of its old-growth forest is now protected from logging. 10 hours Bella Coola At the Port Hardy Ferry Terminal (6800 BC-19 in Bear Cover), board the Northern Sea Wolf, which offers direct service from Port Hardy to Bella Coola in the summer months. Opening image: Kermonde (Spirit) bear in the Great Bear Rainforest. Be prepared to be blown away by not only the abundant wildlife but also the vastness of this ever-changing landscape. Before you book your next BC bear viewing adventure tour, ensure that the tour company you choose is a member of the Commercial Bear Viewing Association. Those are the four different ways to get to The Great Bear Rainforest. All Rights Reserved. The Landsby Brand Guide can be found here. You may see the entirety of this special place from the air, or sail along the coastline by sea. Its particularly popular among wakeboarders, power boaters, and anglers. All are first come, first served. Accommodation recommendations include: Crystal Springs (Historical) Resort and Kokanee Bay Motel & Campground Directions: Approximately 66.5 km from Williams Lake on the right side of the highway. One of the area's main gateways is Bella Coola in central BC. Visit the estuary to see birds and marine mammals. To see these again later, type ", {"type": "chips","options": [{"text": "More languages"},{"text": "COVID-19 safety"},{"text": "COVID-19 vaccine"},{"text": "Travel"},{"text": "COVID-19 testing"},{"text": "Self-isolation"},{"text": "COVID-19 data"},{"text": "Connect by phone"}]}, Employment, business and economic development, Employment standards and workplace safety, Birth, adoption, death, marriage and divorce, Environmental protection and sustainability, Tax verification, audits, rulings and appeals, Transportation and infrastructure projects, Fraser Valley Highway 1 Corridor Improvement Program, Highway 1 - Lower Lynn Improvements Project, Belleville Terminal Redevelopment Project, Central Coast Indigenous Resource Alliance, Inside Passage Fall/Winter/Spring schedule, From Bella Coola, you can take a guided forest hike to view ancient petroglyphs or watch a Nuxalk carver at work, The Museum of Northern B.C. Note your Start Port and End Port above, and then visit this How to Get Here page to see how you get to and from this trip. While the town carries historical significance, its surroundings are equally enamouring for tourists. All British Columbians have a stake in protecting it. 8: Sailing among the fjords, exploring out of the way places in spring. For current road conditions, visit DriveBC. Regular train travel is also available between Prince George and Prince Rupert. After breakfast, head on a pre-planned half-day excursion with an experienced wilderness guide. Bear viewing tours in BC fill up fast! Discover BC's Great Bear Rainforest | Cariboo Chilcotin Coast 108 Mile Ranch is an engaging stop along the highway with all the amenities for travellers and adventurers,including one of the areas only golf resorts at 108 Golf Resort Directions: Approximately 78.5km from Williams Lake just after Lac la Hache. For nature and wildlife addicts, Scout Island houses a nature sanctuary with a beach, picnic grounds and a wide variety of small animals and birds. This newfound behavior may offer a clue to how these reptiles will respond to a warming planet. For those flying from Calgary airport (YYC), there will be a short stop over in Vancouver. All Rights Reserved, Automated page speed optimizations for fast site performance. TheBella Coola Valleyalso offers prime wildlife and grizzly viewing. that specialize in small-group charters through Great Bear Rainforest. New long-term care home coming to Vancouver. From Bella Coola, head out on a wildlife-viewing safari withBella Coola Grizzly Tours, or go on a boat ride through glacial fjords to a natural hot springs, where you can have a soak before tucking into a barbecue lunch. The Discovery Coast Passageoperates in the summer only, and runs between Port Hardy on the north tip of Vancouver Island and Bella Bella, Shearwater, Klemtu, Ocean Falls, and Bella Coola. It has a fenced viewing platform at the top and there are hiking trails all over it. Great Bear Rainforest | Indigenous Tourism BC The typical viewing distance is from three-to-100 metres. There are many viewing blinds and platforms situated near the most accessible spots on the river for wildlife to access. Copyright 1996-2015 National Geographic SocietyCopyright 2015-2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC. Take a tour of the Bella Coola Valley, where the worlds most extensive interconnected fjord system, the worlds largest intact temperate rainforest and a very dramatic mountain landscape of glaciers, plunging creeks, pristine rivers and granite cliffs converge. Day 2-5: Explore the Great Bear Rainforest. From late August to mid-September, guests can take guided grizzly bear-viewing float trips on the bordering Atnarko River. Bella Coola. Observe and connect with the ancient and remote wonderland that is B.C.s Great Bear Rainforest. Enjoy a glass of wine as you take in the serene forest surroundings. Maple Leaf Adventures is a pioneer of tourism in the Great Bear Rainforest, having designed tours here starting in 1991 and advocated for its protection. Take shelter under thousand-year-old ancient cedar and spruce as you travel into this global treasure. Tourism provides a number of communities with income from the Great Bear Rainforest and this sector is continuously growing. Wildlife includes marine mammals, seabirds and sometimes bears. There are a variety of full-service fishing lodges for anglers and boaters. Fly from Vancouver to Bella Bella and travel by boat to Spirit Bear Lodge, in the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest and the ancestral lands of Kitasoo/Xaixais First Nation. Duffey Lake Provincial Park: Duffey Lake is situated in the Cayoosh Creek Valley and was historically used as a travel route between Lillooet First Nations on Lillooet Lake and the Stlaltimx First Nations on the Fraser River. TICO Registration #50014459 and #50014570, An intimate & immersive wilderness experience at one of BCs top luxury lodges, Haliburton Highlands to the Ottawa Valley, Transfers to and from the Bella Coola airport or the BC Ferries terminal on arrival and departure days, Accommodation (double occupancy) in beautiful, private timber frame chalets at Tweedsmuir Park Lodge, All food and non-alcoholic beverages (hot or cold breakfast, lunch menu or picnic on the trail, apres snacks, and multi-course dinners), A complimentary bottle of wine upon arrival (one per group), Two half-day or one full-day guided activity on each full day of the package (no activities on arrival or departure day), Guide service by certified wilderness guides, All safety equipment; lifejackets, rain gear, radios, umbrellas, binoculars, Use of all self-directed indoor and outdoor recreation equipment, games area with billiards table, foosball table, dart board, satellite TV, and a retail shop, 1,200 sq/ft spa building with a yoga stretching room, weights and stationary bikes, cedar, Access to wildlife viewing stand, lawn games and E-bikes, Scenic Atnarko River Drifts (requires additional guide as boat only seats 6), Highlights of the Bella Coola Valley Tour, The Via Ferrata (subject to additional charge for semi private packages, included as an option in private packages), River Fishing (included as an option in Private packages), 25% deposit is required at the time of booking with balance due 90 days prior to travel. Wildlife gather to feast on the fish allowing you to watch grizzly bears, bald eagles and black bears. The wolves emerge from the rainforest at dawn. This is a breathtaking alternative way of getting to or travelling from Bella Coola. On the water, guests are gifted the chance to see humpback whales, orcas, sea lions, porpoises, dolphins, bald eagles, and other seabirds. The Camper's Code has nine rules that are really easy to follow. Port Hardy to the south, and Bella Bella, Bella Coola, and Prince Rupert to the north, are the main transportation hubs on and around the Central Coast. The How to Get Here page opens in a new window, so that you can refer back to this page if you need to. If you are considering flying into Prince Rupert Airport (YPR). Overnight accommodation options are plentiful including Clearwater Lake Lodge and Terra Nostra Guest Ranch. Enter your email address if you would like a reply: The information on this form is collected under the authority of Sections 26(c) and 27(1)(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act to help us assess and respond to your enquiry. Observe and connect with the ancient and remote wonderland that is B.C.s Great Bear Rainforest. 4: Sailing Cape Caution, exploring western islands and beaches of southern Great Bear. The Great Bear Rainforest is located on the central coast of British Columbia and is accessible by car from Vancouver. The gory history of Europes mummy-eating fad, This ordinary woman hid Anne Frankand kept her story alive, This Persian marvel was lost for millennia. The park does not provide any facilities and does not contain water sources, so be sure to prepare yourself accordingly. All provide guided tours and backpacking trips in the area, as well as horseback trail rides, fishing opportunities and much more. Consider it a quest: people travel from far and wide for the chance to spot the rare Kermode bear, which is found only in this part of the world. Respect for the land and safety are priorities, making these 10-hour tours perfect for families with children ages six and up. http://api.hellobc.com/services/v2/partners/listings?website_url=http%3A%2F%2Findigenousbc.com&offset=0&q=indigenous_owner_type%3D%27Indigenous%27+AND+region='Great+Bear+Rainforest'. *01234567891011121314151617181920, When are you thinking of travelling?When are you thinking of travelling? Places to stay in Bella Coola include Bella Coola Grizzly Tours & Outfitting, Bella Coola Mountain Lodge, and Nusatsum River Guest House. The port of departure for the ferry is Port Hardy, which is located on the northern coast of Vancouver Island. We highly recommend planning a day to explore each citys landscape and culture. For a web-based platform, visitwww.centralcoastbiodiversity.org, *Don't provide personal information . Home to 1000-year old trees and more than 20 First Nations, the beauty of the Great Bear Rainforest has inspired many preservation efforts. In addition to private boats, there are a number of charter operators like Maple Leaf Adventures or Seaforth Expeditions that specialize in small-group charters through Great Bear Rainforest. Enter a world of pristine rivers, lush valleys and coastal cliffs on this all-inclusive multi-day getaway to the luxurious Tweedsmuir Park Lodge. Visit local villages and, welcomed by residents, learn about coastal culture, from First Nations earliest culture to the present. FromTweedsmuir Park Lodge, go heli-hiking in the Bella Coola Valley, take a guided nature walk, go birdwatching, or simply float down a river and take in the majesty. From mid-September to mid-June, ferry service is available twice a month from Bella Coola to coastal communities ofBella Bella,ShearwaterandOcean Fallswith transfers at McLoughlin Bay inBella BellatoPrince RupertandKlemtu, orPort Hardy. For a more intimate environment, take a small-ship cruise that offers on-board chef service, such asMaple Leaf AdventuresorOuter Shores Expeditions. Day 3: Coastal villages, Alert Bay cultural centre, marine mammals. 2023 Great Bear Tales. Availability 4 Night Tour Package Arrive Monday - Depart Friday Several fishing resorts and serviced RV campsites are located on the lake including Barneys Lakeside Resort and Woodlands Fishin Resort! If you are excited to explore Tweedsmuir for a few days, but prefer to stay at a lodge, check outTweedsmuir Park Lodgelocated right in the heart of the park! Where to Eat or Drink: If you're a sport fisherman, you can drop off your catch for processing in Prince Rupert at Dolly's Fish Market (it's a depot for St. Jean's Cannery & Smokehouse) before chowing down on the fish 'n' chipslightly battered and fried local halibut or ling cod chunks served piping hot with homemade fries and a Caesar salad. 2023 Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism. Book now for Spring-Fall 2023, Whale watching tours in BC fill up fast! 5: Further outer coast exploration in small boats and on beaches. A little further east you will find Redstone, a small first nations community with the Redstone Store a key stop for fuel and supplies on your Hwy 20 Road Trip. But trust us, it will all be worth it when you finally arrive in this stunning natural wonderland. Your guide will advise you of trail conditions best suited for hiking and wildlife sightings. Located in the Great Bear Rainforest Knight Inlet Lodge, 240 kilometers (150 miles) northwest of Vancouver, lies in the southern reaches of one of the last intact temperate rainforests on earth, the Great Bear Rainforest - home to Indigenous peoples, ancient forests, and wild bears since time immemorial. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Rome2rio is a door-to-door travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. Bear Watching In Churchill - Fresh Tracks Canada 385 km | 4.5 hours Coming out of Nanaimo, take Highway BC-19N toward Campbell River and follow it all the way up to Port Hardy, where you will board a ferry to Bella Coola. Travel up the coast of Vancouver Island to Port Hardy and embark on an unforgettable ferry ride. Remote reaches of coastal fjords are full with salmon throughout the fall. EBM provides a big picture view of how people interact with their environment, how peoples needs are met while co-existing with plants, animals, seasonal changes and climate. For a web-based platform, visitwww.centralcoastbiodiversity.org, *Don't provide personal information . Photographers will love this excursion as the slow pace of travel offers ample opportunity for memorable picture-taking. There are likely fewer than 400 of these rare bears in existence. BC Ferries offers a summer-only ferry service to many local communities through its Discovery Coast Passage. 2: Johnstone Strait and the steep-sided islands of the Broughton Archipelago. About 50 grizzlies have 450 sq km of protected wilderness here, which includes dense rainforest, a river mouth estuary, and ocean fjord. Wildlife viewing, delicious chef-prepared meals and deluxe on-site amenities add to the magical experience. Take Highway 97 to Williams Lake, then continue west on Highway 20 for a 4-hour drive to Anahim Lake. Catch a glimpse of the rare Spirit Bear in the Great Bear Rainforest Stay at historic, family-run ranches and wilderness lodges in the heart of this remote wilderness Brief Itinerary Detailed Itinerary Day 1: Arrive in Vancouver Stanley Park and downtown Vancouver We highly encourage you to take a day and have a look around and stop into the BC Cowboy Hall of Fame, located in the Museum of the Cariboo Chilcotin, which is open daily and offers an interesting insight into the lives and histories of the regions cowboy past. Return to the lodge for a hearty lunch and a rest. When all campers follow them, good things happen. 9: Cruising to Bella Bella, watching for wildlife en route. As part of their 2016 Royal Tour, Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge officially endorsed the Great Bear Rainforest underThe Queens Commonwealth Canopyinitiative. 100 Mile Marsh & Wildlife Sanctuary: According to the South Cariboo tourism association, almost forty species of waterfowl can be found on South Cariboo lakes and wetlands. For full-ship private charters, please contact us. Book now for Spring-Fall 2023. You'll explore from south to north, along protected passages, an inland sea and from island to island, with frequent . Theres even a waterfall on the far end of Turquoise Lake (an easy 15-minute hike from the parking lot).