The Great Bears of Bute Tour
- For anyone who’s dreamt of seeing majestic bears from a close yet safe distance
- On this tour, you'll have the opportunity to see wild grizzly bears feeding on spawning salmon and many other flora and fauna
- Only available mid-August through October
- Full-day (8-hour) guided tour
- Depart from Campbell River in the morning
- Heated boat with indoor and outdoor seating and toilet facilities
- Lunch, snacks and beverages included
- Appropriate for ages 10 and up
- By taking this tour, you’re supporting an Indigenous-owned and operated company
If you’ve dreamt of seeing grizzly bears in their natural habitat, this tour is for you. Your experienced Homalco First Nation guides know the best spots to witness these majestic bears – from a respectful distance, of course. Learn all about these breathtaking animals through Indigenous eyes.
χawgəs, or grizzly bears, don’t need any calendar reminders – they know that mid-August is when the annual salmon run begins at the edge of the Great Bear Rainforest. They journey long distances to Algard Creek and the Orford River to feast on spawning salmon and their eggs.
Journey with us from Campbell River through the Salish Sea to Bute Inlet, one of British Columbia’s best whale-watching areas. Take in the breathtaking scenery of Homalco territory as you venture onto land, travelling by bus to a variety of grizzly bear viewing platforms and ground-viewing locations.
Trip Time: Approximately 8 hours
Restrictions: Minimum age of 10 years old (All passengers aged 10 to 18 yrs. of age must be accompanied by an Adult 19+)
Trip Availability: August to October
Check-In: 15 minutes before tour start time
Start times according to tour name:
- 7:30 am for GBB A, GBB B, and GBB C
- 8:00 am for GBB D
Homalco Wildlife & Cultural Tours Office is located at 1003B Island Highway, Campbell River, BC, at the Coast Marina near downtown, next door to the BC Ferries Terminal to Quadra Island.
Free parking is available across the street in the Tyee Plaza Shopping Centre parking lot. See the parking and marina access map.
Same as the pick up location - 1003B Island Highway
- Water bottle to help us in our efforts to reduce single-use plastics
- Warm layered clothing and rain gear
- Hat (Touque or Beanie) or Sun Hat
- Durable shoes
- Insect Repellent
- Camera (Tripod and Monopod restricted)
- Binoculars
- Curiosity
Lunch, snacks and beverages (Lunch is tailored to dietary restrictions)
Our tours operate on a minimum number of 6 guests. While we want everyone to enjoy this amazing experience, sometimes, minimum numbers are not reached. If that happens, we will offer to rebook you on another date or book you onto another tour with one of our tour partners or a different tour provider to provide you with a full refund. Thank you for understanding.
Check-In: 15 minutes before your tour starts with our office staff at 1003B Island Highway, Campbell River, BC, at the Coast Marina.
Parking: FREE all-day parking is located across the street in the Tyee Plaza. See the parking and marina access map.
Take special care not to park in 1-hour zones. 3-hour zones are safe to park in.
The ecosystem in and around Homalco territory is unparalleled in its beauty and rich diversity – but it’s also incredibly sensitive. It’s our responsibility, as stewards of these lands and waters, to play our part in protecting the natural environment for generations to come. By joining us on a wilderness or cultural tour, you are directly contributing to the Homalco First Nation’s conservation and sustainability efforts. For more information, visit our Conservation page.
We know that plans can change. That’s why you can cancel at no charge up to 48 hours before your scheduled tour. Unfortunately, we can’t issue refunds for tours cancelled with less than 48 hours’ notice. Please contact us directly at 250-923-0602 to cancel.
