Great Bear Lodge

Great Bear Lodge is located 50 air miles from Port Hardy on the northern tip of Vancouver Island. The self-contained floating lodge is situated near the mouth of a major salmon river in a place of spectacular beauty.

The lodge is located in the Great Bear Rainforest, which is home to a significant concentration of coastal grizzly bears. Conservationists consider it to be a rare jewel in today's world, as it is one of the few complete and relatively intact ecosystems remaining on the planet. Stretching over 8 million acres, twice the size of Africa's Serengeti, this remote, temperate coastal rainforest is home to several threatened species and is one of the last strongholds of the great bear, the grizzly bear, in the world. This coastal ecosystem revolves around the annual return of five species of Pacific salmon each fall that provide a rich nutritional bounty, which allows for the immense trees and bears for which the coast is famous.

Great Bear Lodge is a charming floating lodge with just five bedrooms. The common area is a comfortable place for relaxing and listening to natural history presentations from the wildlife biologists. Each bedroom has a washroom, with hot showers located separately. The wind and solar powered lodge is in keeping with the lodge commitment to low-impact ecotourism. Natural wood decks surround the lodge, a perfect place to enjoy a glass of wine while enjoying the beautiful scenery.

Wilderness-gourmet meals await you at the lodge on your return from the wilderness. Only the freshest possible local ingredients and all organic food are used 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.

AS SEEN ON TV: BBC Secrets Of Our Living Planet

The lodge hosted a film crew from the BBC in September 2011 who filmed a portion of the upcoming documentary "Secrets Of Our Living Planet" in the Nekite Valley which is home to the Lodge.  You can see the material they shot on the "Magical Forests" episode which was first shown on the BBC in July 2012. 

BBC crew filming at one of the Great Bear Lodge viewing areas.

The lodge is not accessible by road. All tours start with a seaplane flight from Port Hardy on the northern tip of Vancouver Island (flight cost included) at approximately 3pm. The flight to the lodge is a spectacular adventure in itself, travelling past the breathtaking scenery of the central coast and over the rich waters of Queen Charlotte Strait, the home of orca, gray and humpback whales. Upon your arrival at the lodge, your hosts will be on the dock to welcome you to your wilderness retreat. Settle into your private room at the lodge. In the late afternoon, your grizzly bear experience begins.

On your final day you will leave the lodge in the afternoon, arrival time into Port Hardy is between 4pm & 6pm.  Flights are weather dependent so can be subject to delays therefore we strongly advise that you do not arrange any additional transfers from Port Hardy on the same day.

Arrival Day: Flight departs Port Hardy at approx 3pm
Final Day Flight arrives in Port Hardy early afternoon (usually between 4pm & 6pm)

Travel To & From Port Hardy

We can arrange flights from Vancouver to Port Hardy to connect with this package above at a cost of approx £439 per person (prices are subject to availability, we will confirm the accurate price at the time of booking).

Alternatively you can arrive into Port Hardy by car or coach service.  Please take travel distances into account when booking your arrangements.  Pre and/or post nights accommodation may be required in Port Hardy.

2 Night Package

07 May to 26 July:  Daily

3 Night Package

07 May to 26 July:  Daily
July:  27, 30
August:  2, 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, 20, 23, 26, 29
September:  1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, 22, 25, 28
October:  1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19

Package Prices Include:

• Transportation to and from the Great Bear Lodge (departing from Port Hardy)
• 2 or 3 nights' accommodation in a private room at the Great Bear Lodge
• Interpretive discussion and welcome orientation for wildlife viewing
• Morning and afternoon and bear viewing sessions, guided by a wildlife biologist
• Wilderness-gourmet meals including complimentary wine with dinner
• Slide shows and video presentations of the local natural history
• Guided hiking, boat cruises or seakayaking
• Rubber boots and rain wear, if required
• Rain gear if required

Not included
• Transfers to/from Port Hardy
• Gratuity for staff (recommended $20.00 per day per guest for duration of stay)

Cost Per Person

Please Note:

- Minimum age for children at the lodge is 15 years
- 14kg luggage restriction applies to the floatplane services
- Lodge rooms do not have TV or telephones
- Daily activities may be modified depending on weather and water level conditions