Whales, Otters, and Grizzly Bears Package
Embark on an extraordinary getaway to Vancouver Island North with Coastal Rainforest Safaris, Sea Wolf Adventures, and the Kwa’lilas Hotel. Our exclusive package marries exhilarating wildlife encounters with the comfort of premier accommodations, creating a deeply enriching experience that connects you with the natural world. This unforgettable journey promises not just sights, but memories that will last a lifetime.
What’s Included in Your Adventure:
- Enjoy a two-night stay at the tranquil Kwa’lilas Hotel in Port Hardy, where cultural richness meets comfort, providing a peaceful haven after your days of exploration. Additional nights can be added to your package upon request.
- Experience a 5 1/2 to 6-hour Sea Otter and Whale Watching tour with Coastal Rainforest Safaris. Dive into the vibrant marine life of the region, where the ocean comes alive with the sight of playful otters and majestic whales.
- Venture on an 8 to 9-hour Grizzly Bears of the Wild tour with Sea Wolf Adventures. This immersive journey into the wilderness offers a rare glimpse of grizzly bears in their natural habitat, showcasing the raw beauty of the animal kingdom.
Itinerary and Details
Travel to Port Hardy and check-in at the Kwa’lilas Hotel.
Included:
- Double occupancy in a double queen room.
Check-in at Coastal Rainforest Safaris office in Port Hardy at 9:30 to join your six hour Sea Otter and Whale Watching tour. Our office is a one minute drive or 10 minute walk from the Kwa’lilas Hotel.
Tour Details
- Minimum age of 10 years old. Passengers 18 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
- Tours depart from Coastal Rainforest Safari’s office at 7185 Market Street in Port Hardy, BC on Northern Vancouver Island.
- Please arrive 30 minutes before the tour’s departure time to be outfitted in floater suits and sign a waiver. At the office, your guide will provide a safety briefing plus an overview of the tour and area we will be exploring. The boat is docked a short one minute walk from our office.
- Our open RHIB vessels have comfortable seats on shock mitigating platforms and an on-board toilet.
- RHIBs are not suitable for people with a history of back or neck injuries, recent surgery, or are pregnant.
- Please dress warmly. You will be provided with two-piece flotation suits, warm hats, and binoculars.
- Plenty of wildlife photography opportunities are available but please do not bring tripods on board.
- Lunch and warm drinks are provided on our 5 ½ to 6 hour tours.
That evening – return to the Kwa’lilas Hotel.
Included:
- Six hour Sea Otter Viewing and Whale Watching tour with Coastal Rainforest Safaris
- Two-piece flotation suits, warm hats, and binoculars
- Lunch and warm drinks are provided on the sea otter and whale watching tour
- Double occupancy in a double queen room.
Check out of the Kwa’lilas Hotel early and drive 35 minutes to Port McNeill to join Sea Wolf Adventures. Check-in at the Sea Wolf office 30 minutes before for your Grizzly Bears of the Wild tour
Tour Details
- Minimum age of 10 years old. All passengers 18 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
- Tours depart from Sea Wolf Adventures’ office at 1514 Broughton Blvd., Port McNeil on Northern Vancouver Island.
- For tours starting on or before September 24 – Please meet your guides at the Sea Wolf office at 6:30 am.
- For tours starting on or after September 25 – Please meet your guides at the Sea Wolf office at 7:00 am.
- At the office, your guide will provide a safety briefing , an overview of the tour and area we will be exploring, and a waiver to sign.
- The boat is docked a short one minute walk from our office.
- Sea Wolf’s office is a 35 minute drive from the Kwa’lilas Hotel in Port Hardy. If you don’t have your own transportation you can schedule a taxi with Waivin Flags Taxi.
- Please dress warmly and wear sturdy footwear.
- Plenty of wildlife photography opportunities are available but please do not bring tripods on board.
- A light breakfast, lunch, snacks, and drinks are provided
That evening – travel home, or if you prefer one more night at the Kwa’lilas Hotel just let us know and we will arrange it for you.
Included:
- Eight to nine hour Grizzly Bears of the Wild tour with Sea Wolf Adventures
- Breakfast, lunch, snacks, and drinks are provided on the grizzly bear tour
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Payment and Cancellation Policies
Payment and Cancellation Policy For Day Tours, Private Charters, and Multi-Day Packaged Tours
- Full payment is required at the time of booking.
- If you must cancel your tour with 14 or more days notice of your tour’s departure date, a full refund is provided
- If you must cancel your tour with less than 14 days of your tour’s departure date the full amount of the tour is non-refundable.
- All cancellations must be received by email.
- In the event Coastal Rainforest Safaris has to unexpectedly cancel or delay a tour, for reasons such as high winds or mechanical failure, guests will receive the option to re-schedule or to receive a full refund. Please note, expenses incurred by guests in preparing for a cancelled or re-scheduled tour i.e. travel, hotel. etc. remain your responsibility.
We strongly recommend all customers purchase travel insurance for their trip that includes coverage for cancellations and trip interruptions.
Additional Details to Consider
- Please do not book before first reading and understanding our Payment and Cancellation Policy.
- Please do not book if you expect a refund not provided by our policies. We highly recommend purchasing trip cancellation insurance.
- If you book and cannot join your tour for any reason, including vaccination status or travel restrictions, our regular Payment and Cancellation Policy applies.
- You fully assume the risk concerning entry requirements into British Columbia and Canada.
- For the latest information on travel to Canada including requirements and restrictions, please visit the Government of Canada’s Travel and Tourism page.
Port Hardy Whale Watching and Sea Otter Viewing Tours
We are located in Port Hardy at the north end of Vancouver Island.
There are a few names for wolves on Vancouver Island North amongst the Kwakwa̱ka̱`wakw people. Atła’na̱m, U’liga̱n, Xwaxwilik̓a, and in ceremonies Długwala, and Ga̱lg̱a̱m. Seeing these animals is such a profound blessing that it makes our trips special. Looking forward to the 2025 season! #crs #coastalrainforestsafaris #wolf #vancouverisland
This was such a really cool interaction last year as the orcas were in and out of the kelp forest; in T̕łat̕ła̱sikwa̱la territory. As you travel up the waterways towards the northern tip of Vancouver Island, you can’t help but notice how beautiful the environment really is. It truly is a remarkable experience just to witness all of the marine life within it. #coastalrainforestsafaris #crs #orcas #gonorthisland #indigenousbc #wildlifeplanet #natgeo
Whales and landscapes! It’s getting to be about that time where you should be thinking about booking your experiences on the north Island. Check out our website to find different options on how you can get out on the water with us! #coastalrainforestsafaris #crs #safetrueeducational #gonorthisland #wildlifeplanet #indigenousbc #explorebc
The Humpback we call Celly spotted in the territory this past season. Humpback whales have made leaps towards reestablishing their presence in our traditional areas. The connection to these gentle giants have been made for millennia and we are grateful to keep this going! #coastalrainforestsafaris #crs #safetrueeducational #humpbackwhale 🐋 #gonorthisland #indigenousbc #indigenoustourism
Otters, whales, and wolves. Oh my!
Gift certificates are available on our website. Link in bio.
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#whalewatching #seaotter #orca #humpbackwhale #wolf #puffin #wildlife #gonorthisland #indigenousbc
Photography Tours in the Great Bear Rainforest
The Great Bear Rainforest is a paradise for photography enthusiasts. This remote, lush region offers opportunities to capture stunning landscapes, unique wildlife, and cultural stories. With its ancient cedars, mist-shrouded fjords, and glassy waters, every frame tells a story of untouched wilderness. Photography tours often focus on intimate encounters with humpback whales, orcas, grizzly bears, and coastal wolves, providing visitors with once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to document these moments.
On a boat-based tour, the interplay of light and water often creates breathtaking compositions as humpbacks breach against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains or glide through calm seas. The silence and serenity of the rainforest amplify the beauty, enabling photographers to connect deeply with the environment.
These experiences aren’t just about capturing images—they’re about fostering a profound appreciation for this unique ecosystem. For many, these tours are transformative, as they combine the thrill of wildlife encounters with a growing understanding of the importance of conservation and stewardship of these precious lands and waters.
With skilled guides, such as those at Sea Wolf Adventures and Coastal Rainforest Safaris, guests not only leave with unforgettable photographs but also with a deeper connection to the natural and cultural heritage of the Great Bear Rainforest. #seawolfadventures #coastalrainforestsafaris #gonorthisland #explorebc #explorecanada #indigenousbc #goindigenous
It’s as simple as this: The overall impression is one of peace and tranquility, capturing a moment of serenity in the otter’s natural habitat! #seaotter #cuteness #otter #coastalrainforestsafaris #crs #gonorthisland #vancouverisland #vancouverislandwildlife #indigenousbc #explorebc #explorecanada
The orca, known as max̱’inux̱w in the Kwakwa̱ka̱’wakw language, holds a profound place in the culture and traditions of the Kwakwaka’wakw people of the Pacific Northwest. Revered as protectors of the ocean and messengers between realms, orcas are seen as kin to humans, embodying power, unity, and family bonds. Their graceful movements through the waters of the Great Bear Rainforest are a reminder of the interconnectedness between people, land, and sea. For the Kwakwaka’wakw, orcas are not just creatures of the ocean—they are ancestors and teachers, inspiring stories, songs, and art that continue to celebrate their significance. #coastalrainforestsafaris #crs #safetrueeducational #gonorth #gonorthisland #explorebc #indigenousbc #goindigenous #orca
Bald eagles are significant to the Kwakwaka’wakw people, symbolizing strength, leadership, and connection to the spiritual world. These majestic birds, with their striking white heads and powerful presence, are common in the Great Bear Rainforest. They are often depicted in Kwakwaka’wakw art and stories, embodying wisdom and respect for the natural world. Bald eagles play an essential role in the ecosystem, hunting fish and scavenging, and are viewed as vital to the balance of life in the territory. #coastalrainforestsafaris #crs #gonorthisland #vancouverislandlife
We are incredibly grateful for all of our friends and allies, both locally and from around the world, who supported us throughout this season. Sharing our traditional territories and the abundant wildlife that calls it home has been an honor. This year, we had the privilege of connecting with people from all walks of life, building lasting bonds while showcasing the beauty and significance of our land and waters. It was also a year of growth, as we focused on building capacity through training and empowering our local Indigenous community members. As we look back on this successful season, we reflect on the many memorable moments and look forward to continuing this journey together. Here are a few pictures that capture the spirit and adventure of this remarkable year and past years!
Humpback whales are a spectacular sight along the northern coast of Vancouver Island, where they are often seen feeding and breaching in the nutrient-rich waters. These majestic giants migrate to the region during the summer and fall months, drawn by the abundance of small fish and krill. Known for their acrobatic displays and distinctive tail flukes, humpbacks play a vital role in the marine ecosystem. Their presence in these waters is a testament to the rich biodiversity of the area, offering visitors an unforgettable glimpse into the lives of one of the ocean’s most charismatic creatures. #coastalrainforestsafaris #crs #safetrueeducational #gonorthisland #explorebc #indigenousbc
Our beautiful scenery on the North Island is a testament to the deep connection and stewardship of the local First Nations. Each landscape tells a story, and our tours offer a unique opportunity to experience these landscapes through our paradigm. #coastalrainforestsafaris #crs #safetrueeducational #explorebc #explorecanada 📸 @westcoastlife