The Great Bear Rainforest
Great Bear Lodge
Great Bear Lodge is an eight bedroom completely floating lodge , located 50 air miles from Port Hardy, British Columbia. It is an area of outstanding natural beauty and a fabulous wildlife viewing location. In fact, the BBC crew used this lodge as a base whilst filming an episode of the series ‘Secrets of our Living Planet’. A short seaplane flight is required to reach the lodge.
The lodge is operated by the Great Bear Tours company, rated by National Geographic Adventure as one of the Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth. The Great Bear Rainforest area (in which the lodge is found) is home to a significant concentration of coastal grizzly bears. During the late summer and early autumn bears are drawn to the many salmon spawning streams feeding into the coastal inlets. While the local bear population reaches its peak in the autumn, during the spring and summer bears feed on sedges, succulents and grasses that make up the dense bio-mass of the river estuary. These ongoing sources of high quality food are why coastal grizzlies or brown bears are larger than inland grizzlies.
Two bear viewing sessions are scheduled each day at the lodge, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. The sessions are tailored to the activities of the bears, observing them when they are most active in their chosen habitats. Viewing blinds have been constructed with photographers in mind. They are comfortable and optimal places to shoot from. When the bears move from the river to the estuary, they are viewed from the boats.
The common area is a comfortable place for relaxing and listening to natural history presentations from the onsite wildlife biologists. Completely upgraded in 2014, each bedroom now has an ensuite bathroom with a shower. The wind and solar powered lodge is in keeping with Great Bear Tours’ commitment to low-impact ecotourism. Natural wood decks surround the lodge, a perfect place to enjoy a glass of wine while enjoying the beauty of the scenery.
The lodge uses the freshest possible local ingredients and all organic food when it is available. A typical dinner might feature freshly caught salmon roasted on a cedar plank with a marinade of maple syrup, mustard seeds and balsamic vinegar. In between bear viewing sessions you can join a guided activity such as an interpretive walk or a boat excursion, or you may choose to relax with a book from the extensive natural history library.
Facilities
Rooms have king or twin beds, ensuite bathroom with solar heated shower, bedside lamps and windows overlooking the water. There is a restaurant area, extensive natural history library and outdoor seating area on the floating deck.
Local Wildlife
Along with grizzly bears there is a chance to view other wildlife like wolves, black bears, river otters, pine martens, mink, harbour seals and bald eagles. There are also extensive lists of other mammal, bird and amphibian and reptile species which can be found at the lodge, available upon the lodge’s website.
Optional Activities
Bear viewing tours, nature walks, boat excursions.
John Melton
Area Specialist
Bear watching varies seasonally: in Spring they are primarily found by the estuary, and bird life is greater; in the Summer they move between habitats in search of feeding opportunities; and in Autumn, they congregate at the river to coincide with an influx of Pacific salmon, displaying their iconic fishing behaviour.
If you have any questions regarding our Canada tours, please feel free to contact me on +44 (0)1803 866965