Spirit Bears, Humpbacks & Wildlife of BC

A very important feature of our British Columbia wildlife adventure is the limited group size, as fewer travelers are essential for the fullest encounter with wilderness, as well as a light footprint on the environment.

Accommodations, services of Nat Hab's professional Expedition Leader(s), local guides and boat crew, all meals from dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on final day, some alcoholic beverages, some gratuities, airport transfers in Bella Bella or Terrace on Day 1 and final day, all activities and entrance fees, all taxes, permits and service fees.

Travel to and from the start and end point of your trip, some alcoholic beverages, some gratuities, passport and visa fees (if any), optional activities, items of a personal nature (phone calls, laundry and internet, etc.), airline baggage fees, airport and departure taxes (if any), required medical evacuation insurance, optional travel protection insurance.

Moderate 
This adventure does not require a high degree of physical fitness. However, in order to reach the bear-viewing stand where we have the best chance of seeing spirit bears, you should be able to hike at least two miles over potentially muddy, slippery, uneven terrain with some inclines and obstacles such as rocks and tree roots. To reach the bear-viewing stand and to participate in the other scheduled shore excursions and activities, you must be able to climb up and down a small three-rung boat ladder in order to board motorized Zodiac rafts or kayaks. Please be prepared for water landings, in which you will climb out of the Zodiac or kayak and step into shallow water while wearing waterproof boots, before stepping ashore. You should also be able to undertake several short walks over potentially wet, muddy, rocky, uneven and sometimes trailless terrain. Travelers may have the opportunity to participate in optional kayaking, weather permitting. Though no prior kayaking experience is required, general fitness and mobility, including the ability to get into and out of a kayak, are essential. Please note that waterproof rubber boots are required for this adventure and they will not be available on site, so every traveler must bring their own pair.

On custom or private departures with smaller groups, our ability to accommodate varying levels of physical abilities or interests is limited, since these trips are staffed with a single Expedition Leader who may be assisted, pending availability, by local guides.

While a highlight of this adventure is our search for spirit bears, as well as more commonly seen black bears and grizzlies, our ship-based wilderness expedition grants access to one of the most magnificent natural landscapes on Earth, which we will also experience on foot when we go ashore for hikes and further exploration. Guests should be aware that spirit bears are very rare, the coastal rainforest is very dense, and sightings can never be guaranteed. We spend three days in the spirit bear area and two full days at the spirit bear viewing platforms, offering multiple opportunities to spot them. The areas we visit provide the best chance for seeing elusive spirit bears, and our naturalist guide and crew are adept at finding them if they are present. But only about 50% of visitors to the Kitsoo Spirit Bear Conservancy will actually spot a spirit bear. However, whether or not we see a spirit bear, you will no doubt go home with an extraordinary experience of one of the planet's most beautiful and moving wild places. This remote coast, edged by glacier-iced peaks and blanketed in lush temperate rainforest, home to abundant wildlife ashore and at sea, offers one of the most powerful wilderness encounters on Earth. And knowing its future is fragile makes its conservation an even higher commitment for us all, once we have been immersed in its wonders.

A note to photographers: Please be aware that flash photography of wildlife is strictly forbidden while in the spirit bear viewing areas.

We have pre-booked space for our travelers on flights from Van­couver to Terrace and from Bella Bella to Vancouver (or the reverse direction, depending on the direction of your itinerary). These flight times are not determined until late spring. We will notify you at that time so you may book your arrival and departure flights into and out of Vancouver. Please note that the cost of these flights is not included in your trip fee and will be assessed separately.