Grizzly Bear Viewing: Indigenous Tour in Bute Inlet

Experience the awe-inspiring beauty of grizzly bears in their natural habitat on this immersive wildlife and cultural tour. Join an Indigenous guide and support the cultural and economic recovery of the Homalco First Nation people.

Duration: 9 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Salish Sea - Journey in comfort on-board a covered, heated boat through the Salish Sea to Orford Bay. Along the way your skipper and First Nation guide will share their knowledge of the human history and legends of this spectacular area while on the lookout for humpback whales, orcas, dolpins, sea lions, bald eagles and more.
What's Included
  • Snacks included
  • All applicable fees and taxes covered
  • On-board restrooms for convenience
  • Lunch provided
  • Complimentary tea and coffee
Additional Information

Witness grizzly bears in their natural habitat on this breathtaking wildlife, cultural and marine tour. Join an Indigenous guide and visit the traditional territory of the Homalco First Nations in Bute Inlet. Bear viewing, whale watching and cultural exploration make for a one-of-a-kind adventure.
This is the only bear tour from Campbell River that is…

Location
Homalco Wildlife and Cultural Tours
Island Highway
Homalco Tours is located at the Coast Marina, 1003B Island Hwy, Campbell River, BC V9W 2C4. The office is located next to the BC Ferries Terminal. All-day parking is available at the Tyee Plaza Shopping Centre across the street.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(279 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
647kimc
Nov 5, 2024
Do not miss this experience! - Our superb Homalco tour guides shared their native lands, history, stories, language and more on this full day tour up river from the Georgia Strait to their original territory. Ture, we sawsmore bear tracks than actual bears, (a few glimpses) but we saw many bald eagles, shorebirds, sea lions, and seals amid some of the most beautiful natural scenery I've ever seen. Mainly we were awed by our guides' efforts to reclaim, nurture and share the Homalco langauge and way of life in this gorgeous corner of the world.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
171racheln
Oct 27, 2024
Great day with great guides - A fantastic, full day out! First you go on a (speedy!) boat for 2hrs, we had the pleasure of using the new boat they had just acquired so we all had comfortable seats in a covered cabin. During the journey the guide (Cassie) told us all about the area, some wildlife, and the local language and culture. She also gave us snacks :) When we arrived at the location for bear-watching we were met by our Bear Guides Michael and Buck, who gave us a traditional welcome in the local language and then took us to see some Bears! We saw two females on the trip, digging and then interacting with each other, it was really cool. And whenever we were in the van Michael would share his knowledge and experience about the bears in the area. On the way back to Campbell River the boat captain tried to find us some wildlife, and we saw sea lions, bald eagles and dolphins! This was a great day out with fantastic guides who really seem to care about the animals and preserving the culture. Highly recommended!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
730grantk
Oct 19, 2024
Grizzly Bears in Their Great Bear Rainforest Buffet - My wife and I had two Homalco bus tours at Orford Bay in Bute Inlet early October 2024. We specifically wanted to see grizzlies in their natural habitat fattening up for the winter and were not disappointed. On the first stop on the first tour, we observed a bear! We eventually saw 7 bears (in 11 sightings). The viewing stands provided excellent close (and safe for us and the bears) views. Our Homalco viewing guide (Calvin) was excellent, providing much wildlife and cultural information. Our bus driver (Wilson) avoided most of the worst bumps. Our second tour to Tobia Inlet had to be cancelled when an overnight rain storm washed out roads. Our group was offered a refunded cancellation or return to Orford Bay (which we quickly selected). We were delighted to see a couple more bears despite continuous rain (admirably guided by Tony and bus driver John). In addition to seeing the bears, Homalco provided a comfortable boat ride to Orford Bay complete with a very interesting and knowledgeable cultural guide (Janet on both trips) and boat drivers (Steve and Ron), who interrupted the ride to view a black bear, pointed out a pod of dolphins, and showed us seals and sea lions. Homalco provided an an excellent lunch during the boat rides. An excellent and memorable tour overall.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Stevie007
Oct 19, 2024
First class all the way there and back - What a wonderful experience this was. Our boat driver Steve and our guides, including Chyanne of course, were first class. An unscheduled view of three humpback whales, a delicious sandwich lunch were the build up for seeing three grizzly bears (one cub) in an environment safe for us and the bears. We even saw a salmon caught! The First Nation support was gratifying and we learned much about their history. Thank you and well done.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
L4195sudenisek
Oct 18, 2024
Great tour - It was a great experience to have been on this tour. We had a great bear guide who gave us a lot of information and we were also successful in sighting a Grissley bear. We can only highly recommend this tour as it was a unique experience and we will remember this great day for a long time.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Faraway324422
Oct 18, 2024
Bears and Culture! - Had a great day heading up to Bute Inlet with Homalco Wildlife and Cultural Tours. Not only were we lucky enough to see half a dozen grizzly bears (and a couple of humpbacks!) Judith (and Calvin on the tour) shared numerous Coast Salish stories that gave us a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Homoalco culture. Thanks to Guy and Gary for doing the driving. Terrific day.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kims175
Oct 18, 2024
Great Bears of Bute is simply a great trip! - Awesome time all around. Skipper Steve was just great, Cassie our guide on the boat was very knowledgable about Indigenous history and culture. Cheyenne, our tour guide on land knew so much, was tons of fun. Bob our bus driver was hilarious. Everything about the day was totally fantastic. Well worth the money and can't wait to try it again next year.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
E2711ietonyh
Oct 18, 2024
Big tick for the bucket list Grizzly Bears - A wonderful day with experienced and knowledgeable guides. Special moments with grizzly bears and excellent opportunities for great photos of the bears fishing and foraging. The 2 hour boat ride was a great way to take in the magnificent views of the Campbell River and Orford Bay. Calvin & Gary who guided us on land with the Grizzlies were fantastic which their knowledge of the area and the ways of the salmon and the bears whilst on the boat captain Guy and our naturalist Janet were great hosts and inspiring with their knowledge of the history and workings of the region.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Janetteeyles
Oct 14, 2024
Fabulous trip to Homalco - What an amazing trip, firstly with a very comfortable boat where we saw a pod of orcas and then to see 2 grizzly bears on our arrival was beyond our expectations. All of our guides were very knowledgable with lots of stories and explanations to bring the whole trip to life. I can’t recommend Caption John and Kelvin enough.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dubkay
Oct 17, 2024
Save your money. Don’t go - This was more of a political stage for them to talk about the politics behind the indigenous people and what they call the settlers. Keep your opinions to yourselves and take us to see the bears. You have the market cornered on bear viewing in BC There is no need to have so many signs around the buildings suggesting how much you appreciate tips. As for the minute amount of time that there was viewing, most of it was spent on the bus going from tower to tower. Save your money and watch it on YouTube. No politics in a paying customers time
Review provided by Tripadvisor