The Search for Grizzlies: Early Season Tour
- For adventurous souls who want the chance to be one of the first people of the season to join us in the search for grizzlies
- Available from Aug 10th-20th
- Full-day (8-hour) guided tour
- Depart from Campbell River in the morning
- Heated boat with indoor and outdoor seating and toilet facilities
- Lunch, snacks and beverages included
- Appropriate for ages 8 and up
- By taking this tour, you’re supporting an Indigenous-owned and operated company
Experience the rugged beauty of Bute Inlet during a time of seasonal change, when grizzly bears begin moving through the territory in search of food and to await the salmon run. This early-season tour offers a chance to venture into Homalco territory at a more serene moment in the annual wildlife cycle, at the onset of signs, tracks, and the first movements of the bears. Join us in the search for the early grizzlies for the chance to see first grizzly bear of the season?
Begin your day with a scenic journey through the Salish Sea aboard our comfortable tour vessel, with potential to spot orca, humpbacks, seals, and other coastal wildlife along the way. Upon arrival in Bute Inlet, Homalco guides will welcome you to their ancestral territory and share their knowledge of the land, the inlet, and the relationships between people, animals, and place.
Because this tour takes place before typical peak grizzly season, bear activity can be more unpredictable. Some days may offer exclusive encounters, while others reveal subtle hints of bear presence. Either way, your experienced guides will show you the inlet through a deeper lens; one shaped by Indigenous stewardship, natural rhythms, and the interconnectedness of the ecosystem.
This is an opportunity to explore a spectacular landscape, learn from Homalco hosts, and embrace a more open-ended style of wildlife viewing, where every sighting is earned, every moment in the inlet feels meaningful, and the search itself becomes part of the adventure.
Trip Time: Approximately 8 hours
Restrictions: The minimum age is 8 years old (all passengers 8 to 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult 19+).
Trip Availability: August 10th - 20th
Check-in time: 30 minutes before start time
Boarding time: 15 minutes before departure
Start Time: 7:30 am
Homalco Wildlife & Cultural Tours Office is located at 1003B Island Highway, Campbell River, BC, at the Coast Marina near downtown, next door to the BC Ferries Terminal to Quadra Island.
Free parking is available across the street in the Tyee Plaza Shopping Centre parking lot. See the parking and marina access map.
Same as pick up location - 1003B Island Highway
- Water bottle to help us in our efforts to reduce single use plastics
- Warm layered clothing and rain gear
- Hat (Touque or Beanie) or Sun Hat
- Durable shoes
- Camera (Tripod and Monopod restricted)
- Binoculars
- Curiosity
Lunch, snacks and beverages (Lunch is tailored to dietary restrictions)
Our tours operate on a minimum number of 6 guests. While we want everyone to enjoy this amazing experience, sometimes, minimum numbers are not reached. If that happens, we will offer to rebook you on another date or book you onto another tour with one of our tour partners or a different tour provider to provide you with a full refund.
Check-In: 30 minutes before your tour starts with our office staff at 1003B Island Highway, Campbell River, BC, at the Coast Marina.
Parking: FREE all-day parking is located across the street in the Tyee Plaza. See the parking and marina access map.
Take special care not to park in 1-hour zones. 3-hour zones are safe to park in.
The ecosystem in and around Homalco territory is unparalleled in its beauty and rich diversity – but it’s also incredibly sensitive. It’s our responsibility, as stewards of these lands and waters, to play our part in protecting the natural environment for generations to come. By joining us on a wilderness or cultural tour, you are directly contributing to the Homalco First Nation’s conservation and sustainability efforts. For more information, visit our Conservation page.
We know that plans can change. That’s why you can cancel at no charge up to 48 hours before your scheduled tour. Unfortunately, we can’t issue refunds for tours cancelled with less than 48 hours’ notice. Please contact us directly at 250-923-0602 to cancel.
