Quest for the Spirit Bear 
Quest for the Spirit Bear
Quest for the Spirit Bear
Quest for the Spirit Bear
Kermode or Spirit Bear
Randy Green
One of the Tsimshians' myths says that "Raven made one in every ten bears white to remind the people of the time when glaciers covered this land". The Tsimashian speaking people attribute the white Kermode bears with supernatural powers, hence they are also known as the "Spirit Bear", a name that suits their apparition-like presence. The rare white Kermode, a subspecies of the black bear, is wild, elusive and little known to North Americans other than the Tsimshian-speaking people of the north coast of British Columbia. These people have shared its territory for thousands of years with the Kermode bear. Princess Royal Island, off the north coast of British Columbia, is home to a healthy population of Spirit Bears.
The island is a perfect bear habitat, with its old-growth hemlock and cedar forest; tidewater estuaries rich with grasses, roots and berries; and sparkling streams of spawning salmon which bring the bears down from the hills to gather along the streams. The surrounding mountains and rainforest are home to grizzly bears, wolves, wolverines, black bears, deer and beavers. The photographic opportunities of this adventure are amazing, giving access to some of the best bear viewing in the world. We will explore the inlets, bays and old-growth forest of the area aboard a 68' ketch that is thought by many to be the perfect B.C. coast charter yacht. This is a truly unique adventure for photographers and naturalists alike!
Read IWA Director Susie Green's blog of her recent Spirit Bear cruise!
Highlights: -Explore the deep fjords and inlets of the British Columbia temperate rainforest -View and photograph the rare kermode, or Spirit Bear as well as brown and black bears -Paddle the rugged shoreline in kayaks -Walk trails with First Nations guides and visit their villages -See humpback whales close up -Excellent food and expert guides -Small group size of only 16 for maximum flexibility -Incredible opportunity for still & video photography!
The island is a perfect bear habitat, with its old-growth hemlock and cedar forest; tidewater estuaries rich with grasses, roots and berries; and sparkling streams of spawning salmon which bring the bears down from the hills to gather along the streams. The surrounding mountains and rainforest are home to grizzly bears, wolves, wolverines, black bears, deer and beavers. The photographic opportunities of this adventure are amazing, giving access to some of the best bear viewing in the world. We will explore the inlets, bays and old-growth forest of the area aboard a 68' ketch that is thought by many to be the perfect B.C. coast charter yacht. This is a truly unique adventure for photographers and naturalists alike!
Read IWA Director Susie Green's blog of her recent Spirit Bear cruise!
Highlights: -Explore the deep fjords and inlets of the British Columbia temperate rainforest -View and photograph the rare kermode, or Spirit Bear as well as brown and black bears -Paddle the rugged shoreline in kayaks -Walk trails with First Nations guides and visit their villages -See humpback whales close up -Excellent food and expert guides -Small group size of only 16 for maximum flexibility -Incredible opportunity for still & video photography!
Check out IWA Director Susie Green's experience with the Spirit Bear in our blog: My Quest for the Spirit Bear
Arrive Bella Bella: Guests need to arrive the day prior to the start of the trip. After collecting bags at the Bella Bella airport, you will look for Starr Shuttle. From there, they will take you to the Municipal Dock where you can catch the Seabus to your accommodations.
Day 1: Arrival in Bella Bella, BC
Guests will need to meet at the Municipal Dock by 11:00 AM. After a brief orientation, assigning of cabins and stowing our gear, we set sail for the Great Bear Rainforest where we will anchor in a different spot nightly. Lunch will be served as we set sail.
Sailing into the deep fjords, we head into the coastal mountains where we will focus on the Fjordland Conservancy marine park area. The scenery is stunning with its massive waterfalls, spectacular rock formations, and lush forests. We will take the time to explore the estuaries where bear congregate along the spawning salmon streams. O/N Boat
Day 4-7: Princess Royal Island/Khutze Inlet
Traveling along the shore of Princess Royal island, is a land of deep, glacier-carved fjords and deeper-still sounds filled with rich marine life. While we’re underway, watch for the spouts of humpback whales as they feed on huge schools of herring. Dall porpoise play in our bow wave and Orcas breech in the glassy water. We’ll encounter many varieties of wildlife while on our “Quest for the Spirit Bear”.
Our entire cruising area is located in perfect bear habitat, with its old-growth hemlock, cedar forest, tidewater estuaries rich with grasses, roots and berries, sparkling salmon streams and very few human visitors. Our Gitga’at guide will take us to some of his favorite bear-viewing areas where we hope to see black, brown and spirit bears. We will spend two days on the bear stands with our Gitga'at guide.
Due to rough terrain and to maximize our chances of a seeing Spirit Bear, we will utilize native built viewing platforms. A 15-minute walk takes us to bear viewing platforms constructed by the Gitga’at. The platforms are located next to a picturesque creek that is frequented by spirit bears and black bears, including mothers and cubs. After a short wait, bears that have melted into the underbrush will re-emerge into the stream, looking for spawning pink salmon. While most bears we will see will be black, this is one of the best locations to expect the kermode bears. Both days will be spent bear viewing from the platforms with sack lunches provided. We’ll return back to the boat in time for dinner. Since we expect to be out all day, bringing along good rain gear and rubber boots is essential! O/N Boat
Day 8: Bella Bella
We will arrive mid morning in time to catch our Pacific Coastal flight to Vancouver. Flight not included in the price.
*Please contact our office prior to booking airline tickets as this is a sample itinerary and is subject to change.
Date Information
October 1 - 8, 2012
Rate Information
Price: 2012: $4,550 per person CAN$ based on double occupancy from/to Bella Bella plus 12% HST taxes. There is no single berth on the boat.
To calculate today's spot exchange rate, click here.
Please note that this is the "spot" rate, and the actual bank exchange rate may vary a few points from this. Your exact rate will be determined at the time of your booking and payment in full. VISA and MasterCard accepted.
NOTE: Contact our office for the current exchange rate.
Price includes: lunch on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 8, the boat charter, and all activites and guide services. Limit 16 passengers.
Registration
To confirm your space on this tour, please send a $500 USD deposit to our office, or to lock in your exchange rate, pay in full at the time of booking. Balance is due 90 days prior to departure.
The day-to-day itinerary is subject to weather and animal activity. Flight delays can happen due to weather and neither IWA nor the boat operator is responsible for any additional costs due to delays.
The day-to-day itinerary is subject to weather and animal activity. Flight delays can happen due to weather and neither IWA nor the boat operator is responsible for any additional costs due to delays.
Cancellation Policy
In the event you must cancel your reservation, refunds will be made according to the following schedule: Deposit of $500 USD is nonrefundable, unless space can be resold, in which case a $100 Service Charge will apply. 90 to 61 days prior to departure, 50% of total is nonrefundable; less than 60 days prior to departure, 100% nonrefundable.
Insurance
Because many advance logistical arrangements have been made prior to the running of this trip, we must adhere to the above policy. In light of this, we strongly recommend trip cancellation insurance. A form will be sent to you upon request. We offer Travelex insurance and it can be purchased from our web pages.
The Island Roamer
The 68' ketch Island Roamer is the sister-ship to 'Island Odyssey'. Originally built as a luxurious private yacht in 1983, she completed a major renovation in 2003 to update the cabins and all safety systems.
She features 8 private cabins (double occupancy), 3 heads with hot showers and a comfortable salon with a natural history library. On deck, the large deckhouse provides a comfortable spot to watch for wildlife. Island Roamer is a certified passenger vessel by the Canadian Ministry of Transport. Sailors will love her easy roller-reefing and performance under sail, and everyone is welcome to get involved in the running of the ship
Island Roamer/Odyssey Deck Plan (sister ships)
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"We had an amazing trip, probably the best we have ever done...We had marvelous viewing of the spirit bear, in sunshine, on the second day of viewing and a wonderful close encounter with a rather large black bear...The boat and crew were amazing, so much better than another company that was touring about the same area. Sensational!"
Download Free Quest for the Spirit Bear Cruise Guide
Download your free Quest for the Spirit Bear Cruise Guide!
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