Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Watch
-
port
Prince Rupert, British Columbia, Canada
-
activityLevel
Moderate Activity
-
excursionType
All
-
wheelchairAccessible
No
-
startingAtPrice
$510
-
minimumAge
Information Not Currently Available
-
duration
Approximately 7½ Hours
-
mealsIncluded
Meals included
Cruise to the wilds of the Khutzeymateen Valley, Canada's only grizzly bear sanctuary, to watch these highly intelligent creatures in their natural habitat.
It's a five-minute walk from the ship to the Atlin Dock, where you will board a state-of-the-art, 72-foot catamaran specifically designed for wildlife viewing. It is fully covered and heated with floor-to-ceiling windows and lots of outer decks for the greatest viewing experience. Once on the touring vessel you will cruise to one of the top grizzly bear-viewing areas in North America. Traveling north through picturesque Chatham Sound, you will be entertained with stories about life in the surrounding villages. Along the way, keep an eye out for Dall's porpoise, playful seals, Stellar sea lions and a variety of birds, including majestic bald eagles and graceful blue herons.
After cruising for just over two hours, you will reach the Khutzeymateen Valley -- an area uninhabited by humans, with no roads, trails, or signs of intrusion by civilization. The hills here are blanketed with a dense forest of Sitka spruce and hemlocks, creating the ideal environment for supporting wildlife such as the grizzly bear -- an at-risk species. More than 50 of these magnificent creatures live here, earning the valley the distinction of having one of North America's highest concentrations of grizzlies. The bears often feed on the vegetation that is in relatively close proximity to the shore, so there is an excellent chance of seeing several bears at once. The valley and the surrounding waters also support a thriving population of wolves, shorebirds, kingfishers, seals, orca and humpback whales.
After cruising this incredible valley, you will return to Prince Rupert. The ride back is the perfect time to enjoy a small lunch consisting of a deli sandwich.
Please note: Wear comfortable walking shoes. Wildlife sightings are likely but are not guaranteed. Tour operates on select sailings only. After July, this tour is replaced by the Whales & Marine Life tour. The path to the pier is paved; there is a marine ramp from the pier to the boat.