On the water, guests are gifted the chance to see humpback whales, orcas, sea lions, porpoises, dolphins, bald eagles, and other seabirds. Hike a seemingly endless number of rainforest trails, many of which lead to cascading waterfalls, or search for local wildlife. To approach a question 400 million years in the making, researchers turned to mudskippers, blinking fish that live partially out of water. The exploratory nature of these cruises, and the small number of passengers (10 or fewer per trip), creates a more intimate adventure with minimal ecological impact. The longer voyages can last for either 24 or 36 hours. Always check trail conditions before you head out, and no matter what outdoor activity you are planning, be prepared. Enjoy one last peaceful morning in the forest and another delicious breakfast before saying goodbye to the Bella Coola Valley. It offers something for everyoneshopping, outdoor recreation, hiking, amazing mountain biking, backcountry trekking, river rafting, fishing, and so much more. This picturesque stretch of highway is chock full of quaint towns, camping and fishing spots, wineries and craft breweries, and so much more. There are 4 ways to get from Vancouver to Great Bear Rainforest by plane or ferry Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner. Spend days travelling among humpback whales and marine birds. Packages - Spirit Bear Lodge Follow these tips to travel safely and responsibly in BC. About 50 grizzlies have 450 sq km of protected wilderness here, which includes dense rainforest, a river mouth estuary, and ocean fjord. People can safely view this abundance of activity from a space constructed at rivers edge that serves as a blind or hide. Walk in rainforest and wildflower meadows with naturalist. Heres what you need to know before you go. Or enjoy dramatic views of Mount Melikan and Mount Stupendous from the comfort of the large outdoor hot tub. The Great Bear Rainforest is a land of fjords, islands and great river estuaries. Visit local villages and, welcomed by residents, learn about coastal culture, from First Nations earliest culture to the present. Sail through Queen Charlotte Sound and into the Great Bear Rainforest. Tatla Lake: Located on the western edge of the Chilcotin grasslands, Tatla Lake is where Irish settler Robert Graham started the areas ranching legacy. Post lunch, enjoy another guided adventure or choose to take an interpretive nature walk or guided hike. For those flying from Calgary airport (YYC), there will be a short stop over in Vancouver. BC Ferries reservations are strongly recommended and bring a camera, as on one of the most scenic routes in the world youll have plenty of picturesque opportunities. The typical viewing distance is from three-to-100 metres. A hot breakfast, served to order, is available at 8am. Here, the waters teem with whales, dolphins, sea otters, porpoises, sea lions, salmon and other creatures. Fun Fact: In what was considered a landmark agreement, a major portion of the Great Bear Rainforest, five million acresalmost the size of New Jerseywas declared off-limits to loggers in 2006. This method allows access to the entire rainforest, as there are no roads along the mountainous BC coast. I give consent to Destination BC Corp. Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, National Marine Conservation Area Reserve, and Haida Heritage Site. Places to stay in Bella Coola include Bella Coola Grizzly Tours & Outfitting, Bella Coola Mountain Lodge, and Nusatsum River Guest House. Getting to this remote and beautiful destination is not as hard as you think. Trust, which is partnering with Coast Funds to support applications from First Nations with communities in the Great Bear Rainforest and on Haida Gwaii. This incredible trip covers an immense portion of the Great Bear Rainforest. You can approach the Great Bear Rainforest in several different ways: roads get you only so far in the wilderness. Explore the wildlife, the waterfall-filled wonder, and the human history of one of the planet's most spectacular coastlines - often called "the last stand of the great North American rainforest. Open June to September, the lodge is accessible only by floatplane. Rome2rio is a door-to-door travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. Immersive Indigenous experiences are expansive, transformational, and authentic. Lets support Canada together. Alexis Creek: (Tsilhqotin)an indigenous people who live between the Fraser River and the Coast Mountains. Take shore trips into estuaries.. agree I consent to receive email communications from IndigenousBC.com and agree to visit the privacy policy. Summer and winter adventures await at Chilcotin Holidays, Tyax Adventures, andTyax Lodge & Heliskiing. Multi-day cruises, day trips and fishing charters are available throughout the Great Bear Rainforest during the prime June to October summer and wildlife season. Watch for whales and explore island beaches. Rainforest Explore travel Ideas in BC's unique rainforests. Please be respectful of copyright. For a spectacular view from the road during the spring and summer months, consider driving onto the ferry at Prince Rupert, then follow the Skeena River via Highway 16 to Terrace. Visit ancient villages and shell middens inhabited by wolves, eagles, and bears as Indigenous interpreters read the surrounding land and waters. The region encompasses 21 million acres from the northern tip of Vancouver Island to the Alaska border and includes Haida Gwaii (the Queen Charlotte Islands). Theres even a waterfall on the far end of Turquoise Lake (an easy 15-minute hike from the parking lot). Dinner is served in the large communal dining room, which offers spectacular views over the property as well as a lounge and an outdoor patio. 1: Board at Campbell River. Owned by Homalco First Nations, this tour operation offers the best blend of land- and water-based wildlife viewing opportunities. BC Ferries offers a summer-only ferry service to many local communities through its Discovery Coast Passage. A hub for outdoor lovers in Northwestern BC, Terrace continues to deliver through the winter months. Access points include Prince Rupert in the North, Bella Coola in the Heart of Great Bear Rainforest and Port Hardy in the South. Dolly's is a working market, so the restaurant side is simple, compact, and usually packed in summer. Not all species are visible in all seasons. Part 6: Williams Lake to Clinton. Puntzi Lake and Redstone: 11 km off the Hwy at Chilanko Forks, awaits Puntzi lake where biking and hiking trails, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, hunting and birdwatching are plentiful. Plan and prepare because getting thereis part of the adventure. Port Hardy to the south, and Bella Bella, Bella Coola, and Prince Rupert to the north, are the main transportation hubs on and around the Central Coast. From the Kitlope witness steep snow capped peaks, grizzly bears relaxing among tall green sedges, and colourful wildflowers in shades of purple and blue. Wild west coast beaches with white sand and plenty to explore. Pacific Coastal Airlines also operates non-stop flights from Vancouver International Airports South Terminal (YVR) to the Bella Bella Airport (ZEL), and the duration is about 1 hour and 20 minutes. Highly recommend stopping here to have a look (or paddle if you have kayaks or boards). Continue on BC-97S and turn right at the junction onto BC-99N toward Lillooet. All provide guided tours and backpacking trips in the area, as well as horseback trail rides, fishing opportunities and much more. The many protected, unlogged and ancient rainforests, and the quiet, nutrient-rich ocean, support wildlife and ecosystems as they would have been thousands of years ago across the continent where grizzly bears and wolf packs roam free and live from what they naturally have always lived from, including abundant salmon runs. Whichever way you choose, be sure to plan and prepare in advance, as the journey can be challenging. Be prepared to be blown away by not only the abundant wildlife but also the vastness of this ever-changing landscape. Only one ancient account mentions the existence of Xerxes Canal, long thought to be a tall tale. Shore trips on west coast beach, viewing intertidal life, coastal bog forest trail, rainforest. Comments will be sent to 'servicebc@gov.bc.ca'. 9: Cruising to Bella Bella, watching for wildlife en route. The team spent approximately 400 days in the field. Check out 5 facts you may not know about BC's temperate rainforest. Bright green fjords, estuaries filled with wildflowers, wheregrizzly bears forage in spring. From the Highway at Riske Creek, turn left onto Farwell Canyon Road and follow it approximately 21 km to the park. Green Lake Provincial Park: Green Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes in British Columbia with its crystal clear emerald water that is welcoming to a wide array of people. Riske Creek: The tiny community of Riske Creek, named after a Polish pioneer who settled there in the 1860s, is the gateway to a range of outdoor adventures along Highway 20. Seeing bears in the wilderness is more emotional than you might think. Rome2rio makes travelling from Great Bear Rainforest to Vancouver easy. Everywhere is evidence of their civilization. 135 km | 2 hours 22 mins Take BC-20E up and out of Bella Coola, through the switchbacks and over the Heckman Pass Summit toward Anahim Lake. The bar for my next adventure. Two-hour walking explorations of the Great Bear Rainforest include visits to ancient petroglyphs, towering cedars, and totem poles that tell creation stories or smayustas. If you are excited to explore Tweedsmuir for a few days, but prefer to stay at a lodge, check outTweedsmuir Park Lodgelocated right in the heart of the park! What we can learn from Chernobyl's strays. The terms are said to preserve 85 per cent of the coastal forest, giving rise to grumbling in some quarters that after 20 years of pressure, 15 per cent of the Great Bear Rainforest remains . As you make your way through Queen Charlotte Strait, you will pass a few small islands and will have the opportunity to view Sea Lions and Harbor Seals and a variety of marine wildlife. Overnight accommodation options are plentiful including Clearwater Lake Lodge and Terra Nostra Guest Ranch. Part 3: Ferries to Bella Coola. Stretching from Vancouver Island, north along the mainland coast, it forms a significant section of the famous "Inside Passage" route to Alaska - a name that started with the gold rush of the 1800's. The central coast region of British Columbia's scenic and intricate shoreline has a long history. Large vehicles may find it difficult to navigate the tight turns, so drivers should pay attention to their speed and the conditions of the road. Fishing is also bountiful in Bella Coola and Prince Rupert. Other points of entry include Bella Bella, Klemtu, and Prince Rupert. Theres kayaking and fishing along the coast, and hiking through old-growth forests. Williams Lake:Williams Lake is the hub city of the Cariboo region. Note your Start Port and End Port above, and then visit this How to Get Here page to see how you get to and from this trip. Flights are subject to seasonal and weather changes. Great Bear Rainforest to Vancouver via plane, and ferry - Rome2rio All rights reserved, Spirit Bear Lodge bear viewing and cultural heritage tour, The Great Bear Rainforest: Canada's Forgotten Coast, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. The switchbacks and blind corners require caution and care when navigating. The vast, sodden land encompasses 1,000-year-old. The entrance is well-marked and easily visible. She suggests their juniper ales if they're available. Unwind after your day of exploring by stretching your muscles and rehydrating in the cedar sauna. Hello, this is an automated Digital Assistant. The approach is Ecosystem-Based Management(EBM)and is based in science as well as traditional, local knowledge. A visit to the Great Bear Rainforest involves many different experiences. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Enter your email address if you would like a reply: The information on this form is collected under the authority of Sections 26(c) and 27(1)(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act to help us assess and respond to your enquiry. Opening image: Kermonde (Spirit) bear in the Great Bear Rainforest. Other water-based options include Maple Leaf Tours' sailboat-based guided excursions and, in late August and early September, small group standup paddleboarding (SUP) expeditions led by Canadian paddleboard athlete and racer Norm Hann. Hike, sail, fly in and out. This beautifully photographed book#8230provides a sense of immediacy, conveying the authors' impassioned respect for the pristine region., The authors' passion for the Great Bear Rainforest, its inhabitants and for shaping attitudes toward protecting its special nature are evident throughout this appealing book#8230Will make a fascinating addition to your coffee table collection, great for . Pacific Coastal Airlines has scheduled flights into Port Hardy, Bella Coola and Bella Bella from Vancouver while Air Canada flies into Prince Rupert for Northern access. Watch for whales and explore island beaches. Page not found Instagram This is a breathtaking alternative way of getting to or travelling from Bella Coola. The wolves emerge from the rainforest at dawn. The last shoot that contributed footage to the film was in April, 2018. Availability 4 Night Tour Package Arrive Monday - Depart Friday Your support is essential and together we can create enduring conservation achievements on the ground and in the waters of coastal British Columbia. Hunlen Falls, one of the other highlights of the park, plunges 855 ft into the Atnarko River and can be seen on many flightseeing tours in the area and is also an easy 20-minute hike in from Turner Lake. If youre keen on whale watching, the Johnstone Strait and the Broughton Archipelago (between mainland BC and northernVancouver Island) are two of the best places in the world to spot orcas. Explore the fjords and islands in peak season for bear viewing. The Great Bear Rainforest is a boating, cruising and sailing paradise and provides an incredible nautical adventure. If possible, take a day to drive the road and enjoy the laid-back, relaxing ambience of sunshine and a winding road surrounded by peaked pinnacles. Old growth forests surrounded by karsts and mountains, this wild and unmanaged area is the perfect mix of primordial nature and abundant wildlife. Respect for the land and safety are priorities, making these 10-hour tours perfect for families with children ages six and up. After youve seen the lookout, follow the trail that parallels the train tracks north. We walk gently and encourage education and exploration about the rich and diverse Indigenous cultures in British Columbia. Pacific Coastal Airlines operates non-stop flights to Bella Coola Airport (QBC) year-round, and it takes approximately 70 minutes to fly from Vancouver. Look for the lakes and the sign for the park. To see these again later, type ", {"type": "chips","options": [{"text": "More languages"},{"text": "COVID-19 safety"},{"text": "COVID-19 vaccine"},{"text": "Travel"},{"text": "COVID-19 testing"},{"text": "Self-isolation"},{"text": "COVID-19 data"},{"text": "Connect by phone"}]}, Employment, business and economic development, Employment standards and workplace safety, Birth, adoption, death, marriage and divorce, Environmental protection and sustainability, Tax verification, audits, rulings and appeals, Transportation and infrastructure projects, Fraser Valley Highway 1 Corridor Improvement Program, Highway 1 - Lower Lynn Improvements Project, Belleville Terminal Redevelopment Project, Central Coast Indigenous Resource Alliance, Inside Passage Fall/Winter/Spring schedule, From Bella Coola, you can take a guided forest hike to view ancient petroglyphs or watch a Nuxalk carver at work, The Museum of Northern B.C. You can zoom into different regions on thisinteractive map of the Great Bear Rainforest. One of the most popular recreational lakes in the Cariboo, the lake includes campgrounds, resorts, and a bait and tackle shop. Broughton Archipelago (Whales and Totems), Gulf Islands National Park and Salish Sea. When to Go: From late August to the middle of October, thousands of returning salmon draw wildlife to the local rivers, making this the best time to view grizzly bears and the elusive Kermode bear. How to Get Around: Since many areas are accessible only by floatplane, booking an all-inclusive tour covering transportation, meals, and lodging is the most convenient option. This stretch of the highway is very picturesque and has two popular stops, Chasm Provincial Park and Marble Range Provincial Parks. All are first come, first served. We highly recommend planning a day to explore each citys landscape and culture. If you are considering flying into Prince Rupert Airport (YPR). Vancouver Island to Great Bear Rainforest - Maple Leaf Adventures Remote reaches of coastal fjords are full with salmon throughout the fall. Carved by melting glaciers and erosion over the past 10 million years, the Chasm is 8 km long, 600 metres wide, and 300 metres deep. Vancouver is consistently named as one of the top five worldwide cities for livability and quality of life and Nanaimo, known as The Harbour City is the gateway for other destinations on northern Vancouver Island. Terrace sits near the bottom of the Alaska Panhandle, and is home to the mighty Skeena River, a spot known to host some of the worlds best steelhead fishing. This remote expanse is home to many First Nations communities as well as abundant wildlife: coastal gray wolves, grizzly bears, Sitka deer, cougars, mountain goats, orca, salmon, sea lions, sea otters, humpback whales, and its most celebrated resident, the rare, cream-colored Kermode bear, or sprit bear, considered sacred by the T'simshian people. To stay at the waterfront lodge, constructed in traditional west coast First Nations longhouse style, reserve a spot on a three-to-seven-night Spirit Bear Lodge bear viewing and cultural heritage tour. The history of book bansand their changing targetsin the U.S. Should you get tested for a BRCA gene mutation? Homalco Wildlife and Cultural Tours depart from Campbell River and travel on the Salish Sea to Bute Inlet. Day 2-5: Explore the Great Bear Rainforest. The best time to view the largest number of bears and cubs is when they feed on salmon. How many adults (ages 12+)? This exciting odyssey along the coast as spring arrives is for people who like the road less travelled. See "Included in Our Price" for the exceptional value included. Fly from Vancouver to Bella Bella and travel by boat to Spirit Bear Lodge, in the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest and the ancestral lands of Kitasoo/Xaixais First Nation. This area boasts sandy beaches that stretch on for kilometres, fringed by thick, lush rainforests perfect for hiking. An unbelievable experience with the most dedicated and involved crew Ive ever experienced. It covers 6.4 million hectares (15.8 million acres). Bull Canyon Provincial Park: Located in a gorgeous canyon along the azure Chilcotin River, Bull Canyon offers a 20-vehicle accessible campground with full services from May 15th to September 15th. 385 km | 4.5 hours Coming out of Nanaimo, take Highway BC-19N toward Campbell River and follow it all the way up to Port Hardy, where you will board a ferry to Bella Coola. Watch for fin whales, orca, or possibly even a sea otter. Find all the transport options for your trip from Vancouver Airport (YVR) to Great Bear Rainforest right here. The Great Bear Rainforest is best explored by its waterwayseither by boat or kayak. If you would like to partner with us, please dont hesitate to reach out. Sail past some of the most stunning landscapes in the world into the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest. Returning salmon have filled the estuaries and wildlife is everywhere! World class wildlife tours in The Great Bear Rainforest offering a chance to see the rare Spirit Bear. Continue down BC-97S toward Clinton. Head back toward the 70 Mile Store and then turn left back onto BC-97S toward Clinton. All Rights Reserved. Williams Lake accommodation, activities and attractions. For the actual sailing that you book, youll receive a detailed How to Get Here and Boarding Time sheet. Learn about the rich diversity of marine life, mammals, birds, plants and trees that make B.C's Great Bear Rainforest their home and contribute to the natural beauty of the region. Travel with humpbacks through channels and island groups, watchingfor black bears along shorelines. Walk along the dramatic, rocky coast, or hike forested trails that lead to quiet, sheltered coves. 100 Mile Marsh & Wildlife Sanctuary: According to the South Cariboo tourism association, almost forty species of waterfowl can be found on South Cariboo lakes and wetlands. Continue on BC-20E toward Williams Lake. The airline operates flights to Bella Coola four times a week, every Sunday to Tuesday and Thursday. June to August are the warmest months to visit the area. Also wildlife have their own agendas and while we plan our trips in the peak season and areas for wildlife viewing, with very experienced guides, we do not guarantee sightings. Experience the feeding frenzy firsthand as bears, eagles, sea lions, and whales fill up on the fall salmon for the long winter ahead. This is the weather cam on West Beach of Calvert Island, provided byHakai.org, that updates every few minutes during daylight hours. Keep an eye out for schools of dolphins, which enjoy playing in the wake, as well as orcas and humpback whales that may be blowing spray or breaching in the area. Other great bear viewing sites include Knight Inlet which is only a day trip fromTelegraph CoveandCampbell Riveron Vancouver Island. You may see the entirety of this special place from the air, or sail along the coastline by sea. From mid Vancouver Island venture into the Discovery Islands and north into the Broughton Archipelago. Many migratory species live here during the summer months or pass through in the spring and fall during their annual passage. Discover BC's Great Bear Rainforest | Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Immerse yourself in the culture and history of the local First Nations the people who have lived on this land since time immemorial. For the latest road conditions visit DriveBC.ca. This tiny town still boasts some original buildings from its inception (the Clinton Museum is located in the original schoolhouse built in 1892) and offers an abundance of history and memories of gold rush days while also still serving as a central hub for many outlying ranches and smaller communities. Discover the Bella Coola Valley: A Great Bear Rainforest Experience This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. This stone has a mysterious past beyond British coronations, Ultimate Italy: 14 ways to see the country in a new light, 6 unforgettable Italy hotels, from Lake Como to Rome, A taste of Rioja, from crispy croquettas to piquillo peppers, Trek through this stunning European wilderness, Land of the lemurs: the race to save Madagascar's sacred forests. This unique eco-system covers vast tracts of BCs coastal areas and islands, and is a rich habitat for thousands of species of flora and fauna. The fully self-contained floating lodge is situated at an outstanding. Learn about this incredible place and the historic agreement that will conserve this area for generations to come. 2023 Indigenous Tourism Association of BC. Located in the Great Bear Rainforest Knight Inlet Lodge, 240 kilometers (150 miles) northwest of Vancouver, lies in the southern reaches of one of the last intact temperate rainforests on earth, the Great Bear Rainforest - home to Indigenous peoples, ancient forests, and wild bears since time immemorial. Tourism provides a number of communities with income from the Great Bear Rainforest and this sector is continuously growing. In February 2016, the Government of B.C., First Nations, environmental groups, and forest industry representatives announced their final agreement on how the Great Bear Rainforest would be managed. Note that as with all expedition cruises, the itinerary may change based on weather, wildlife activity, and interests of the guests. A 3-course dinner is prepared fresh every evening. TheBella Coola Valleyalso offers prime wildlife and grizzly viewing. Great Bear Rainforest - Maple Leaf Adventures Day 3: Coastal villages, Alert Bay cultural centre, marine mammals. Seymour Narrows, the dividing line between southern and northern climates. Who buys lion bones? Not recommended for people who arent fit. Make time to visit the wild and remote Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, National Marine Conservation Area Reserve, and Haida Heritage Site, home to the UNESCO World Heritage site of SGang Gwaay. For a true pasture to plate experience, stop and sample the cuisine made with locally provided organic meats and vegetables. This newfound behavior may offer a clue to how these reptiles will respond to a warming planet. Book now for Spring-Fall 2023. The Bella Coola Valley has an extensive network of hiking trails that range from easy to moderate. Its particularly popular among wakeboarders, power boaters, and anglers. Part 2: Side Trip to the West Coast. Top 5 Places to Experience the Rainforest in BC - HelloBC Get ready for days of adventure and wildlife, supported by a very comfortable expedition ship, a gourmet chef and welcoming guides. A must-see surprise for little ones. Great Bear Rainforest - Province of British Columbia How to Visit the Great Bear Rainforest in British Columbia | Super Keep an eye out for bears, deer, marmots, and bighorn sheep. Most of the trails are moderate for hiking and require sturdy footwear and a small backpack of snacks and water as the trails can take you quite a way (~2-3 hours). From our first inquiries to the final docking, our trip has been first class all the way. Visit the estuary to see birds and marine mammals. Hello, this is an automated Digital Assistant. Farwell Canyon hike: From the park entrance, you can see several trails that lead down into the canyon.