Grizzly Bears of Knight Inlet

Knight Inlet Lodge is one of the few places in the world where magnificent wildlife, scenery and native culture can be experienced in one location.  Situated in the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest, guests at the Lodge can view grizzlies and stunning scenery amidst tree-lined shores and snow-capped mountains.

Located 80 kilometres, or 50 air miles, north of Campbell River, British Columbia, is a wild and remote area of the Pacific Northwest known as Knight Inlet. As the longest fjord on the B.C. coast, Knight Inlet offers visitors spectacular scenery set against a backdrop of dramatic mountain peaks plunging into the Pacific Ocean. Situated 60 kilometres from the mouth of the inlet is Knight Inlet Lodge. The floating lodge, tucked into Glendale Cove, offers one of the few protected anchorages in the inlet, and it is here that you will begin each day's adventure.

Glendale Cove is home to one of the largest concentrations of grizzly (brown) bears in British Columbia. It is not uncommon for there to be up to 50 bears within 10 kilometres of the lodge in the peak fall season, when the salmon are returning to the river. Although they are abundant in the fall, it is not the only season that grizzly bears can be found in Glendale Cove.

Bear Viewing Seasons
Starting in late April the bears return to the estuary from hibernation and start the year off feeding on the sedges, succulents, grasses and barnacles that abound in the estuary. This is the time to see the tiny cubs emerge with their ever-cautious mothers in close proximity. 

In the summer the berry crop is very heavy and this helps keeps the bears in the general area. You do not get the high numbers of the spring and late summer/fall season viewing, but you can usually see some bears every day. The fall season is the salmon season, so this sees the bears gathering in the spawning channel awaiting the salmon run.

View the Bears in Safety
How you view the bears differs from season to season. In the spring, set out in boats to get close (50 metres) to the shore to have a good view of the bears feeding, but remaining far enough away as to not disturb them.

The early summer program continues on the water as well, but if the opportunity arises there may be a chance of using purpose-built tree stands.

By mid-August viewing moves to platforms at the spawning channel, as well as continuing to use the tree and river stands. In all of the viewing programs guest safety is of utmost importance. The aim is to see the bears in their natural environment without having a negative impact on them.

More Than Just Bears
As well as bear viewing, there are a number of other tours available from the lodge. A marine wildlife tour is offered in all of the seasons but it changes greatly as the seasons change. In the spring, travel throughout the inlet viewing the seals, sea lions, porpoises, dolphins and the occasional minke whale that may travel though these waters.

From July onwards, tours have the added attraction of the orca (killer) whale and you may journey to the world famous Johnstone Strait, you are almost assured of spending some great viewing time with these magnificent marine mammals. Not only do you view the whales, but also the tour includes all of the spring marine viewing as well, so the program lasts for up to 10 hours.

In September, add the humpback whale to the list of marine mammals as they start to arrive from Alaska on their way to Hawaii. The viewing of these gentle giants is infrequent, but when it does happen, it is spectacular.

In addition, there are estuary tours, Knight Inlet boat tours, jetboat tours up the Kliniklini River, excursions to the upper reaches of Knight Inlet, and day trips to the Thompson and Bond Sounds.  These offer great photographic opportunities whether the viewing is of birds, bears, other wildlife or scenery. 

In order to fully experience all that Knight Inlet has to offer, a minimum stay of 2 nights at the lodge, is recommended with the 3 night package.

Lodge Update

Sadly, the original lodge at Glendale Cove was destroyed by fire on the morning of September 25, 2012. We are happy to report that all guests and staff were safely evacuated without injury.  Knight Inlet are confident that they will be up and running for the start of the 2013 season on May 24.  Plans for a replacement lodge are already well underway.  We will be updating our website with  progress reports as time goes along but for the most up to date news on the new lodge, you can check out the Knight Inlet Facebook page.

Please note that bookings are still being taken for the 2013 season, and we recommend that if you are planning on visiting Knight Inlet lodge in 2013 you do not delay making a booking as some peak season dates are already selling out as of October 2012.

Meals at the Lodge
Meals at the lodge are included in all packages and are a highlight in themselves.  The Knight Inlet Lodge dining room is home to bountiful and sumptuous West Coast and Continental cuisine, with delicious daily specials, fine wines and sinful desserts. They often feature crab, salmon and prawn harvested fresh from the pristine glacier fed waters of Knight Inlet. With fresh ingredients flown in daily and with expert chefs, this is a dining experience that receives almost as many compliments as the bear viewing!

With advance notice most dietary preferences can be accommodated.

Getting to the Lodge
Knight Inlet Lodge is not accessible by road.  The only access is by floatplane from Campbell River on Vancouver Island. A short 30 minute floatplane flight will take you from Campbell River to Glendale Cove, which is where the lodge is located.  The floatplane from Campbell River to Glendale Cove is included in all our packages.

Due to the early departure time of the flight, a pre tour night in Campbell River is essential and this too is included in all our packages.  Accommodation in Campbell River is at Herons Landing Hotel, a 2/3 star hotel on the outskirts of Campbell River.  All rooms here have private balconies, some with ocean-view.  Herons Landing
does not have a restaurant, however continental breakfast is available.  Should this hotel be unavailable, an alternative will be offered. Parking is available at the hotel or at the floatplane dock.

Flight Information

Depart Campbell River - 9.30am (check in 30 mins prior)
Arrive Glendale Cove - 10am

Depart Glendale Cove - 10.30am
Arrive Campbell River - 11am

Please Note : Baggage Allowance on floatplane is 14kgs (30lbs) plus a small carry-on bag. (excess luggage can be stored at the Campbell River floatplane base)

Vancouver Flight Add-on
If you are staying in Vancouver prior to your visit to Knight Inlet, we are pleased to offer a flight to take you from Vancouver to Campbell River at a cost from £303 per person return (subject to availability). 

Recommended Length Of Stay

The 2 night package (1 night at Knight Inlet Lodge) will give you opportunity to sample just a taste of what the lodge has to offer. You will, of course, join a bear viewing excursion, but you may miss out on the other activities that the lodge can also offer.

In order to fully experience all that the lodge has to offer we strongly recommend a stay of at least 2 nights at the lodge (i.e. our 3 night package). This will allow you to participate in some of the other activities that are available, which include whale watching, jet boat tours, estuary cruises, canoe trips, rainforest hikes & interpretative hikes.

Packages are also available for stays of between 3 & 7 nights - please contact us for prices.

Self Drive Tour Option

If you would like to combine your visit to Knight Inlet Lodge with a self drive tour around British Columbia & Vancouver Island, we recommend our Grizzlies, Orcas & Black Bears self drive tour.  This is a 9 day tour that includes stays in Vancouver, Victoria & Tofino as well as at Knight Inlet.  Alternatively we can tailor make a self-drive tour to suit your exact requirements.

Cost Per Person

Tours can depart on any day of the week.  Please note: The lodge is closed between July 25th to 31st inclusive.

* Child prices are valid for children aged 8-16 sharing a room with their parents.  Under 8s are not permitted at the Lodge.

Triple rates are also available for 3 people sharing a room, please contact us for details.

All Packages Prices Include:

• Return floatplane airfare from Campbell River
• Accommodation for 1 night at Herons Landing Hotel & 1 or 2 nights (as chosen) at the Knight Inlet Lodge
• All meals starting with lunch on day 1 and ending with breakfast on your last day,
• Complimentary house wine with dinner
• Welcome orientation for wildlife viewing
• All park user fees
• Scenic boat ride of Glendale Cove
• Bear viewing tour
• Knight Inlet sightseeing cruise (weather permitting)
• All transportation to the bear-viewing platforms (in the spring & summer, viewing is done from boats)
• Interpretive guide on all tours
• Evening interpretive programmes
• Rain gear if required

3 night package also includes
• Extra bear viewing tours
• Interpretive hike of the Kwalate River Valley
• Wildlife tracking (make plaster casts of animal prints
• Excursions for Bald Eagle viewing & other bird life

Not Included

- Transfer to/from Campbell River
- Alcoholic beverages unless specified
- Gratuities for staff ($20 per person per day is the recommended. This amount will cover all staff including tour guides & will be distributed evenly to all staff.)

Payment & Cancellation Terms

Please note that special payment & cancellation conditions apply for all Knight Inlet packages.

Deposit - An additional deposit of £300 per person is due at the time of booking. (please note that this is in addition to our standard deposit)

Cancellations
90 days or more before arrival - loss of deposit applies
89 - 30 days prior to arrival - 60% fee applies
29 - 0 days prior to arrival - 100% fee applies