Toba Bears & Wilderness Tour

TOUR AT A GLANCE

• For a once-in-a-lifetime, authentic Indigenous wilderness experience searching for grizzly bears.
• On this tour, you’ll have an opportunity to see grizzly bears in their natural environment from land-based platforms.
• Available August to October
• Full-day (9-hour) guided tour on boat and land. 
• Depart from Campbell River in the morning
• Heated boat with indoor and outdoor seating and toilet facilities
• Guided by Klahoose Coastal Adventures, experienced Indigenous guides
• Lunch, snacks and beverages included
• Appropriate for ages 10 and up
• By taking this tour, you’re supporting an Indigenous-owned and operated social enterprise dedicated to community and environmental stewardship.

Join us in Campbell River before crossing the Salish Sea, one of the world’s best whale-watching spots. You’ll soon reach Toba Inlet, an area densely populated by grizzly bears, where you’ll encounter brilliant waterfalls and a wide variety of flora and fauna. 

The first of its kind, the TOBA BEARS AND WILDERNESS TOUR is a collaborative partnership between the Homalco and Klahoose First Nations. Join your Klahoose guides as they take you to their home Territory in the magical Toba Inlet, where their Big Houses once stood. Hear stories and learn all about the vibrancy of the living Klahoose culture.

The toq qaymɩxʷ (Klahoose) peoples have lived here on the central west coast of British Columbia since time immemorial.  We invite you to see the beauty of Toba Inlet through our eyes, and share in our traditions and stories, which have been handed down through generations.

WHAT TO EXPECT

The following outlines what you can typically expect during the season. Please note that weather patterns and bear activity may vary year to year due to the ongoing effects of climate change. Please note – this tour includes travel by boat from Campbell River to Toba Inlet and land-based bear viewing.

BEST TIMES FOR BEAR VIEWING

August – Warm, sunny days make August one of the most pleasant times to visit. Grizzlies begin moving from higher elevations toward the riverbanks and can often be seen foraging for grasses, berries, and shellfish as they await the salmon run.

September – This is prime time for bear viewing. With salmon returning to the rivers, grizzlies actively fish and are more concentrated in the area. It’s typically the month with the highest number of bear sightings—and the highest number of visitors. The weather also shifts, bringing the first signs of rainfall typical of BC’s Coastal Temperate Rainforest.

October – The days are shorter and the weather more unpredictable, but October delivers a quieter, more intimate bear viewing experience. Fall colours and fewer visitors make for a peaceful and breathtaking way to close out the season.

For similar grizzly bear tours, please see THE DELUXE GRIZZLIES & CULTURE TOUR or the GREAT BEARS OF BUTE TOUR.