In Search of the Spirit Bear in the Great Bear Rainforest

Spirit Bear Lodge on the Pacific Coast is home to orcas and humpback whales that hunt and forage in the local complex of fjords and channels. If you’re lucky, this trip to the Great Bear Rainforest is an exclusive chance to witness the elusive Spirit Bear with knowledgeable Indigenous guides.

Depart Vancouver on a Pacific Coastal Airlines flight to Bella Bella, followed by a shuttle transfer to the boat dock. The Spirit Bear Lodge water taxi will pick you up at the dock for a scenic 90-minute boat ride to Klemtu and Spirit Bear Lodge.

The Great Bear Rainforest of British Columbia is the largest intact temperate rainforest in the world. Towering forested mountains give way to richly diverse river valleys and estuaries teeming with life. The area is home to eagles, wolves, cougars, grizzly bears, black bears, and the elusive Spirit Bear and is one of the great preserves of wild animals in the northern hemisphere.

The Kitasoo/Xai’xais people share their ancient homeland with the Spirit Bear. According to legend, raven made one out of every ten black bears white to remind the people of a time when glaciers covered their territory so they can be grateful for today’s lush and bountiful land. They believe the Spirit Bear holds supernatural powers.

The Kitasoo/Xai’xais people have lived in harmony with the creatures around them since time immemorial. Kitasoo/Xai’xais culture is integrated into each day through spending time with local guides, visiting cultural sites, and learning the history of the Kitasoo/Xai’xais people.