Grizzly Bears & Primeval Forest: BC's North Coast

British Columbia’s mountainous North Coast holds some of the finest stands of coastal temperate rainforest in the world alongside some of its most pristine waters. This is beautiful land of dense Sitka Spruce, winding fiords, and high rugged mountains. Glaciers tower high overhead and untouched beaches entice us to explore. We’ll go aboard the S/V Island Roamer and set forth to explore these dramatic landscapes in search of their unique denizens.

We’ll first visit the area of the Khutzeymateen Inlet at the core of the North Coast. Khutzeymateen is an indigenous Tsimshian word meaning “a confined space for salmon and bears”, a suitable description. An estimated fifty Grizzly Bears live fully protected in this, Canada’s only Grizzly Bear sanctuary. We expect some wonderful viewing as bear families feed on fresh green vegetation in lush coastal meadows. Our visit coincides with the bear breeding season, when we could also have the rare chance of spotting a hulking male Grizzly Bear searching for mates. We’ll also explore the outer islands where we’ll watch Steller’s Sea Lions on the hunt and at play. While ashore, we’ll walk on wilderness beaches and take gentle hikes to see bog flowers. We’ll also enjoy incredible sea kayaking opportunities among rock-studded anchorages.

The forest is also home to a significant population of Gray Wolves and though very hard to see, we will be always on the lookout. We’ll also watch for some of the region’s abundant and varied bird life including Bald Eagle, Pigeon Guillemot, Barrow’s Goldeneye, Harlequin Duck, American Dipper and Rhinoceros Auklet. In terms of marine mammals, we may see Humpback Whales, Dall’s Porpoise and Orcas throughout, with the Humpbacks particularly entertaining if they breach and engage in their cooperative “bubble-net feeding” behaviour. Along the shorelines we should observe many surprisingly dazzling sea stars and other invertebrates!