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Wednesday, 09 May 2012 23:43

Spirit Bear Lodge

Spirit Bear Lodge lies in the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest of British Columbia, the largest stretch of temperate rainforest remaining on the planet. This rich and lush region of bio-diversity is home to grizzly bears, black bears, cougars, and wolves. Off shore, pods of orcas and humpback whales live in the crystal clear, cold waters of the region's countless fjords and inlets. Rivers and streams teem with salmon, and eagles soar overhead.

The Great Bear Rainforest is also home of the elusive, white Spirit Bear, a black bear with a rare genetic mutation. Local legend says that "Raven made one in every ten bears white to remind the people of the time when glaciers covered this land."

The shy Spirit Bear is the namesake of Spirit Bear Lodge, which lies 280 nautical miles north of Vancouver in the tiny, remote fishing village of Klemtu. The small, protected islands surrounding the area provide excellent access to the vast wilderness. Spirit Bear Lodge is owned and operated by the local First Nations people, and your guides, many of whom were born and raised in Klemtu, will introduce you to the very best places for wildlife viewing, including the limited access Spirit Bear Conservancy.

We offer trips from August through October, ranging from 3 to 7 days. For the most rewarding wildlife viewing opportunities, we highly recommend a trip at least 5 days long. Also, for the best chances of seeing the elusive Spirit Bear, plan your trip for September or October, when the salmon are running, and the bears come out of the woods for the feast.

Another way to see the Spirit Bear and coastal Great Bear Rainforest is by sailboat. Click here for details: Quest for the Spirit Bear

Published in British Columbia
Friday, 01 October 2010 06:21

Quest for the Spirit Bear

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!


800.808.4492
(US & Canada)
206.463.1943
(Worldwide)

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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

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Download your free Quest for the Spirit Bear Cruise Guide!

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