Giants roam on Vancouver Island North and remote sections of the neighbouring mainland coast. Grizzly and black bears to be precise.
Black bears are remarkable roadside attractions along Highway 19 during the spring and summer and can be spotted fishing for salmon in local rivers in the fall. Mammoth grizzly bears, meanwhile, thrive not far from the north island in the Great Bear Rainforest, the largest intact coastal temperate rainforest in the world. Cute cubs and towering adult bears spend the May to October season feeding on sedge grasses, seaweed, shellfish and salmon at the edges of Smith, Seymour and Knight Inlets on the BC mainland. Embark on the trip of a lifetime from Port Hardy and Telegraph Cove by air in a floatplane or helicopter or by water in a modern cabin cruiser accompanied by naturalist guides. Cameras and binoculars are essential at sea or when travelling in safari-style overland rides to foraging grounds.
Know Before You Go
Here are a few tips to keep you safe and comfortable on your adventures:
- Prepare for the unexpected
- Check the weather before you go
- Bring extra layers