Great Bear Lodge, Great Bear Rainforest

Some 50 air miles from Port Hardy in the depths of the Great Bear Rainforest, Great Bear Lodge opens a window into the life of the majestic grizzly. Seaplane is the only way to reach this self-contained floating lodge where all guides are wildlife biologists or ecologists. The lodge itself is small and intimate, with just eight snug rooms surrounded by wooden viewing decks. The common areas include a library, sitting room and dining area where hearty meals are served throughout the day.

From cubs play-fighting in the shallows of a stream to the sudden snap of huge jaws as an adult grizzly plucks a leaping salmon out of the air, you may already have an idea of the grizzly bear viewing you’ll enjoy at Great Bear Lodge – part of the BBC series ‘Secrets of the Living Planet’ was filmed here. Two bear viewing sessions are scheduled each day, both from hidden viewing platforms on land and from boats on the river. The lodge is in a prime location for the salmon run in autumn.

While Grizzly Bear viewing programmes are the order of the day, the area is also famed for its sightings of black bears, otters, mink and even grey wolves and mountain lions. Not to mention birds ranging from ducks and loons to occasional golden eagles, kestrels, goshawks and harriers.