Travelling by float plane from Campbell River to Grizzly Bear Lodge for an up-close and personal encounter with grizzlies, sea lions, seals, humpback whales, orcas, eagles and black bears is an unforgettable experience. Heading further north to Alert Bay to explore the pristine waters and wilderness areas will live long in the memory. The setting for this eco-adventure is the remote coastal region that encompasses Johnstone Strait, a glacier-carved passage boasting plentiful land and marine wildlife which is unparalleled.
Grizzlies & Orcas of the Raincoast
Grizzlies & Orcas of the Raincoast
August 22, 2020 - September 9, 2020
£1395 – £4895
Holiday Features
3 Days Boat Based Wildlife Viewing
2 Great Grizzly Bear Watching Locations
Watch Bald Eagles Fishing
Cruise Alongside Huge Pods of Orca
See the Grizzlies Hunting Salmon
Two Awesome Scenic Flights
Top Animals on Tour
Grizzly Bear
Humpback Whale
Orca
Bald Eagle
Black Bear
Steller Sea Lion
Itineraries Details
Destination: Canada
Tour Dates: 22/8/2020 – 1/9/2020
Duration: 9 nights
Type / Focus: Bears & Whales
Tour Difficulty: 
Pricing & Costs
Price: £4895 per person
Deposit: £1395 per person
Single Supplement: £650
Min. Passengers: 4 persons before tour runs
Book OnlineHoliday Breakdown
Day 1
Vancouver
On arrival in Vancouver you will met your local guide and explore the historic Gastown and markets in Granville Island. In the evening you will enjoy a welcome to Canada meal. Accommodation, level – 3* hotel.
Day 2
Knight Inlet Wilderness Area
This afternoon you will fly to Campbell River in your float plane. Along the way you will enjoy the spectacular view of the Coast Mountains, channels and fjords as they pass by you below. You will land and be transferred to your accommodation, level – Eco-Forest lodge (Grizzly Bear Lodge). The lodge is located on Minstrel Island in the centre of the Knight Inlet Wilderness Area
Day 3
Knight Inlet Wilderness Area
This morning you will rise early and board your whale watching boat for the day. You will set off for the Johnstone Strait which act as the summering grounds of orcas. You will cruise the area observing the pods of orcas and possibly finding some minke whales and humpback whales too. Alongside these giants there is the chance to see bald eagles, black bears, different seal species and Pacific white-sided dolphins. You will either have lunch on the boat or a beach picnic before more wildlife viewing before your evening meal back the accommodation, level – Eco-Forest Lodge (Grizzly Bear Lodge).
Day 4
Campbell River
This morning you will once again have an early start and travel along the shores of Knight Inlet to Glendale Cove. From here you will take a ride on the Grizzly Bus which will transfer you to the salmon spawning grounds. Here you will have amazing photo opportunities to snap huge grizzly bears as they fed on the salmon. After a couple of hours you will head back to the boat for more grizzly bear viewing from the Glendale River estuary. From here you will travel to your accommodation, level – Forest lodge, for your evening meal.
Day 5
Alert Bay
This morning you will have some free time around Campbell River before being transferred to Port McNeill. You will pass along the sparsely populated Nimpkish Valley where Roosevelt elk and black bears are possibly encountered. Once you arrive at Port McNeill you will be taken on the short ferry over to your accommodation, level – Eco-Forest Lodge (Alert Bay Lodge).
Day 6
Alert Bay
This morning you will have breakfast and embark on a whale watching tour of the inlets, islands and waterways of the Johnstone Strait and Broughton Archipelago. During the day orcas, humpback whales, minke whales, Dalls porpoise, harbour porpoises, Pacific white-sided dolphins and sea lions are all usually seen. In addition to these you may spot bald eagles, black bear, deer species and possibly a cougar along the shoreline. You will picnic on board and afterwards have your evening meal in a local pub before heading back to the accommodation, level – Eco-Forest Lodge (Alert Bay Lodge).
Day 7
Alert Bay
Today you will be able to explore the village of Alert Bay. The area is very easy to explore on foot and sites such as the local art galleries, UMista Cultural Centre, the Big House, Ecological Gardens and the Big Tree Trail are all great attractions. There are some easy walking trails as well along the island which are great to explore. Your evening meal will once again be at the accommodation, level – Eco-Forest Lodge (Alert Bay Lodge).
Day 8
Alert Bay
Early this morning you will depart for a full day on the water. The target of the day are the many grizzly bears of Knight Inlet. The snow-capped mountains, steep-sided forested cliffs and active marine life make for an impressive back drop to the many bears we should spot along the way. As we drift, paddle and motor around the estuary the low tide brings the bears out as they search for crabs and scrape barnacles off the rocks. As the evening draws in you will return to the accommodation, level – Eco-Forest Lodge (Alert Bay Lodge) for your evening meal.
Day 9
Vancouver
After breakfast this morning you will be transferred to the port to catch the ferry over to Port McNeill and from there you will be transferred again to Port Hardy Airport in time to catch your flight back to Vancouver for your last night in Canada. Accommodation, level – 3* Hotel.
Day 10
Home
After breakfast you will be transferred to the Vancouver airport in time to catch your return flight home.
Please note that the itinerary stated above is correct as our planned intentions for the tour. However adverse weather conditions and other local considerations can necessitate some modifications of the itinerary during the course of the tour; any changes will be made to make the best of the time and weather conditions available to us.
This tour is available on different date (subject to availability) please contact us for more details about running this tour on a date which suits you more.
Extra Information
Weather Conditions
The weather in Vancouver is usually pretty warm in August with an average temperature of around 17 degrees C. The skies are usually clear with little rain as well.
What’s Included
Everything mentioned in the itinerary is included. Including three meals per day (breakfast, lunch and dinner). There will be an amount of bottled water (approx 1ltr) available for each guest each day. We have our own private vehicle to be driven by a local guide for transfers and taxis when needed.
All our excursions including guided walks, whale watching, ferry trips, coaches, plane transfers and park entrance fees are also included.
A warm suit and gloves are including in the whale watching trip of Alert Bay as well.
Personal Equipment
We recommend you bring along your own binoculars or scope as well as appropriate clothing; which should be a mix of warm and light clothes, including at least one warm Parker, fleece, woolly hat, pair of gloves, scarf and long trousers, thermal socks and other cold weather gear can be useful during the evenings and nights. Comfortable walking shoes are a must. Insect repellent is not essential but handy. Any medication, books or other items of a personal nature is of course up to you to bring along. Oh and please bring plenty of memory cards or film for your camera. Also do not forget sun cream, sun hat and polarised sun glasses as the sun can be strong here during the day especially when we spend time on the water.
Included Equipment
We provide a comprehensive species list of all the vertebrates present in the areas we are visiting as well as some of the best field guides and reference books for the areas we are visiting. There is usually a spare pair of binoculars but in a group of 4-6 people these do not stretch too far. Camera Traps will also be used to try and capture hard to see wildlife in the dead of night.
Extra Expenses
Nearly everything is included in this tour. The only things not included are international flights, travel insurance (contact us for more information one what is required from your insurance policy), any food bought outside of the three main meals, drinks outside of any offered with the meals and the bottled water provided each day and any items of a personal nature such as souvenirs and tips. Any applicable departure taxes and not included (but maybe included in the cost of your flights). Please check before departure.
Flight Information
As we are based in Manchester we recommend flights from Manchester International Airport
We recommend Air Canada and Lufhansa as good airlines for flights to Vancouver. One of the best websites to search for the best fares for these flights is www.odopo.co.uk; who are IATA accredited this is a link direct to their site. Please check our terms and conditions regarding booking flights.
Please contact us for more information about flights and we can provide you with a link direct to the flights from another supplier; in which case you only have to enter the passenger information and payment details. By using the above link you will leave our site and we at Royle Safaris hold no responsibility for the content on the site.
Visas and Health Information
All UK passport holders are not required to have a visa for Canada. However things change so the easiest way to find information is by visiting http://www.canadavisa.com/ (be aware that this link leaves our site and we at Royle Safaris hold no responsibility for information on the site).
There are no mandatory vaccinations needed to visit Canada. Please consult your GP about your individual requirements for visiting Canada as soon as you have decided on this trip.
Reviews of this Holiday
Take many layers of clothes as it can be cold in the viewing platforms but warm other times.The only thing I say to anyone wanting to go on this holiday is...be prepared to be amazed!
2018-04-22T09:49:09+00:00
Sue McCormack, Leeds
https://www.royle-safaris.co.uk/testimonials/grizzlies-orcas-of-the-raincoast-01/
Adventure, would be the one word I would use to describe the holiday. So many bears and whales it was a real wilderness adventure...I loved every second...will be coming back for sure!
2018-04-22T09:49:51+00:00
Geoff Randle, Surry
https://www.royle-safaris.co.uk/testimonials/grizzlies-orcas-of-the-raincoast-02/
There was not one highlight for us...the whole trip was the highlight of our year. Excellent boats and cozy accommodation was just what we hoped for.
2018-04-22T09:50:45+00:00
Cole & Alex Jones, Carmathen
https://www.royle-safaris.co.uk/testimonials/grizzlies-orcas-of-the-raincoast-03/
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