Quest for the Spirit Bear
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Spirit Bear Lodge
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
Quest for the Spirit Bear
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!




