BEARS and WHALES in BRITISH COLUMBIA
If you are planning a visit to Western Canada and want to see whales and bears, to put it simply, you have the rich man's version and the poor man's version. Here's our guide to give you a bit of a headstart in your planning
If you have the time and the budget, plan to assign 3 days in your itinerary to make the most of the wildlife that British Columbia has to offer. The following lodges all do a great job -
Knight Inlet Lodge - located at remore Glendale Cove, accessible only by floatplane from Campbell River. Probably the most famous for its bear watching between late May and late September, with mid August to mid September being the prime time. Budget from around £1600 per person, for a 3 night package, plus travelling costs from Vancouver to Campbell River. All meals and wildlife viewing included each day
Spirit Bear Lodge - located at Klemtu, close to Bella Bella on the Inside Passage. Accessible by air from Vancouver to Bella Bella and then a 90 minute water taxi ride to the lodge. Open from early June to end September. The price for a minimum 3 night package starts at around £2300 person, including travel from Vancouver. All meals and wildlife viewing included each day
Sonora Resort - combines luxury accommodation and quality service with the option to take individual wildlfe excursions to suit your needs. Budget from about £800 per room per night. A typical bear watch excursion will add £380 per person to your bill. Accessible by private boar transfer from Campbell River or by private helicopter or floatplane from Vancouver, all at extra cost
Bones Bay Lodge - close to Knight Inlet, so great opportunities for whale and bear watching. Again accessible only via Campbell River, a 3 night package starts at around £2300 per person with roundtrip travel from Vancouver include, as well as all meals and wildlife viewing included each day
Other private lodges include Bear Claw Lodge and Nimmo Bay Wilderness Resort
The inexpensive options - Tofino, on the west coast of Vancouver Island, is a great base to visit the Pacific Rim National Park and to take short morning or afternoon bear and whale watch excursions. These are usually 2-3 hours excursions by boat or zodiac, heading up to the coast to Clayoquot Sound - cost approx £100 per person
