One of the largest remaining intact temperate rainforests in the world, and home of the spirit bear
The Great Bear Rainforest covers the central coast of British Columbia, Canada. There are no roads in. Rivers, fjords and old growth forest form one connected ecosystem. In fall, salmon return to the rivers, and grizzly bears and the rare white spirit bear, also called the Kermode bear, come to the riverbanks to feed. Coastal wolves work the shorelines and humpback whales feed in the fjords.
The spirit bear is not a polar bear and it is not an albino. It is a subspecies of black bear, and a share of its population is born with white fur. We state this plainly: spirit bears are elusive, and no trip can promise a sighting. What a good trip offers is the right season, the right estuaries, and guides who know this coast.
Net2global works with three long term partners in this region, and the partnership covers Great Bear Rainforest programs only. The three ways in are completely different. Choose the style first, then the dates.
Three Ways In, Compared
| Comparison | Spirit Bear Lodge | Outer Shores Expeditions | Bluewater Adventures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Format | Land based lodge in Klemtu, only 12 rooms in the whole lodge | Live aboard sailing vessels, Passing Cloud and Ocean Wayfinder | Small ship sailing, Island Roamer and Island Solitude |
| Gateways | Fly Vancouver to Bella Bella, then boat transfer to Klemtu | Board and disembark in Bella Bella | One way sailing between Terrace and Bella Bella (guests on the Terrace side transfer to board in Kitimat) |
| Focus | Fall dedicated to spirit bears, spring grizzlies, Indigenous culture (the lodge is owned and operated by the Kitasoo Xai'xais First Nation) | Spring grizzlies and migration; fall salmon season bears, wolves and whales, plus a photography voyage. Live aboard and travel slowly, with zodiac landings and walks into river systems to watch the salmon run | The classic 8 day route through the rainforest: bears, whales, fjords and Indigenous culture |
| Season window | Spring (mainly grizzlies) and fall (salmon season, peak spirit bear season) | Spring sailings late May to mid June; fall sailings late August to early October | 2027 fall sailings late August to mid October |
| 2027 public price reference | Fall 4 nights from $8,032 per person double occupancy; 6 nights $11,025 | Spring 7 nights $7,450; fall 8 nights $9,950; fall photography voyage 9 nights $11,200 | 8 days: Island Roamer $8,850; Island Solitude $11,065 |
| Current status | Inquiries welcome | Inquiries welcome (some sailings waitlist only, see the product page) | 2027 fall sailings fully booked on the operator site; waitlist registration only |
| Product page | /great-bear-rainforest/spirit-bear-lodge/ | /great-bear-rainforest/outer-shores/ | /great-bear-rainforest/bluewater/ |
Season Windows
Getting There
- ** Klemtu（Spirit Bear Lodge）**: Bella Bella, Klemtu; Big House.
FAQ
Can any trip guarantee a spirit bear sighting? No. Spirit bears are rare and elusive, and no operator can promise one. We describe seasons and chances honestly, and we make no guaranteed claims. Which style should I choose? Choose the land based lodge if the spirit bear is your main goal and you prefer sleeping ashore. Choose the sailing expedition if you want to live aboard and travel slowly, in spring or fall, including a dedicated photography departure. Choose the small ship voyage for one classic 8 day route through the rainforest. Can I book now? Trade terms with all three partners are being confirmed. We currently accept inquiries and waitlist registrations. Bluewater fall 2027 sailings are fully booked on the operator site, so only waitlist registration is possible and a space cannot be promised. Are the prices final? Prices shown are the operators' public retail references in Canadian dollars. Trade terms are being confirmed. The Great Bear Rainforest is in British Columbia, so GST 5% is the only tax (all three operators also charge a CAD 200 per person conservation fee), and the price in our written confirmation is the one that applies. How do booking and payment work? Our AI concierge answers questions only. It does not take bookings or payments. A member of the Net2global team confirms availability, price and terms with the operator first, and reviews them with you before any money moves.
Inquiries
[ / ] → /contact/,: Great Bear Rainforest. ｜sales@net2global.com｜+1-778-896-0508 : Operated by Net2global Holding Group Inc., BC Licence #66752.